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[PROFILE] Chloé Goueffon - Follow her journey from IÉSEG to Toronto

Interview

-

07.01.2025

Can you introduce yourself in a few words?

I joined IESEG Paris in 2015 in the Grande École Program. I was lucky enough to take part in two university exchanges, complete two internships abroad, and get involved in many student associations during my studies.

I moved to Belgium in 2020, right in the middle of the Covid pandemic, to work at Cohabs, a Coliving scale-up headquartered in Belgium. I arrived in Toronto after a rather special 2024 where I had the chance to travel and take time for myself. Today, I work in Tech Sales. I love the world of startups, healthcare, and innovation – my dream would be to join a FemTech adventure or work in exceptional hospitality housing.


What was your path at IÉSEG and what memories do you keep from your studies?

I have very positive memories! For example, my experience in the Junior Enterprise as a Project Manager, then as a Sales Manager. I actually saw that IESEG Conseil Paris was elected best Junior Enterprise in France – what an achievement, congrats to the team! I also loved the accounting classes we had in the first year and all the support we received in preparing for the professional world: learning how to write a CV, mock interviews, theatre workshops...

I went on exchange to Finland for a year as early as my second year, and that international exposure quickly became a major part of my journey. When I returned from that exchange, I had the opportunity to take over IESEG Abroad – the blog and Instagram page created by a recent graduate. The idea was to share content and posts about student life abroad, whether on exchange or during internships – probably a sign of the choices I would make later on. It was a bit tricky to manage when I went on an internship to China, because Instagram was blocked there. Luckily, there were a few of us working on the project at the time…

Eventually, I graduated in 2020, already based in Belgium. Unfortunately, I was part of the Covid graduation year, so our ceremony was on Zoom… Luckily, I was able to maintain my IESEG connection through in-person Alumni events later on.


What have been the key stages of your professional journey?

Tough question – it’s really just the beginning. I’d say my Project Consulting experience (instead of a traditional thesis) with Yaniro, a collective of executive coaches, was the first milestone that helped me define my professional values. Of course, joining Cohabs was another key moment – it’s where I learned to evolve at the same pace as my responsibilities, adapt to the demands of a fast-moving environment, and understand the importance of being truly passionate about the product. I hope the next meaningful chapter happens here in Canada.

You took a sabbatical year - what made you want to travel? What countries did you visit?

Yes, I took time off to travel in 2024 – I was waiting for my immigration documents for Canada, and my partner and I decided to go on an adventure in Southern Africa. We bought an old car with a rooftop tent and went on a road trip through South Africa, Namibia, Botswana, Mozambique… It was incredible to see those vast landscapes, breathtaking views, and sunsets in shades of yellow, orange, and pink that I’ll never forget.

I also got to visit Japan – a dream come true. In short, it was a year focused on discovering new landscapes and cultures, in line with what I had tried to build over time. I think it only strengthened my love for adventure, and I’ll definitely explore again – probably in a different format next time.

You’re now based in Toronto. Why did you choose this destination?

Several factors played into our decision, but to summarize, I’d say:

  • The language: My partner doesn’t speak French very well, so English is our shared language, and we were excited to move to a city where we could both understand things – like grocery labels!

  • Climate and nature: Snow and cold in winter, bright light in the summer – fun fact, Toronto has about 500 more hours of sunshine per year than Brussels –, the beautiful fall colours… We dreamed a lot about Canada and the nature we’d have access to. So far, we haven’t been disappointed!

  • Career opportunities and accessible immigration: Toronto is a big city, with strong industries and professional opportunities. Finding a job with the same level of responsibility as back home isn’t easy – it can take several months – but the city is dynamic and full of chances once you understand the Canadian system and start building your network. On the immigration side, French speakers have many options in Ontario: Permanent Residency, Francophone Mobility… It takes preparation and discipline, but it’s doable – we arrived here without a “job”, as Quebecers say.

Across the countries you’ve discovered, how did you adapt to different cultures? Did you face challenges? If so, how did you overcome them?

There’s a huge difference between traveling and working abroad. I’ve had the chance to work in several countries (China, Belgium, now Canada), and each time my habits clashed with a different culture. The key is to adapt without losing yourself. For example, here in Canada, there’s almost no culture of direct negative feedback. It’s rare to hear a blunt “no”, even if the person might still disagree. You need to be careful not to hurt your colleagues' feelings – communication is less direct, and you learn to read between the lines. I’m just getting started with navigating North American culture – let’s talk again in a few months!

The best book on the topic, recommended by my mother even before I started at IESEG, is The Culture Map by Erin Meyer. I highly recommend it to anyone who wants to work in a multicultural environment – in France or abroad. Why not to IESEG students too!

You’ve also become the representative of the IÉSEG Network Club in Toronto – can you tell us more about this role and what it means to you?

Yes, very shortly after immigrating to Toronto, I reconnected with Irène Burietz, the Project Officer at IESEG Network, whom I had worked with when I was the club rep in Brussels. The idea is to organize events for the Alumni network so that graduates can meet up regularly, depending on the size and availability of the local community.

The role includes a bit of event management – planning meetups – and a touch of business development to spread the word and grow the community, especially so far from Lille and Paris! I reached out to several local alumni directly on LinkedIn to spread the message. For example, there were four of us at the first Toronto afterwork – whereas in Brussels, we sometimes had over 100 attendees. No matter the number, it’s always a great time.


What’s coming up next in the calendar?

Most likely a second afterwork in the fall, around September. We’ll share the date by email and on LinkedIn once it's confirmed – if any “Torontonians” are reading this, I’m counting on you!


And anything else you’d like to add 😊

Dear alumni, don’t forget to update your profiles on IESEG Network – that way, local club reps can find you more easily and keep you in the loop about events!

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