Interview with the winners

We met with two if the winners of the "Partez découvrir les coopératives de France", Emmanuel Bourgelas and Patrick Deroy, and they told us about their experience.

	Emmanuel Bourgelas 20 years old DEC in administration, future financial planner Sat on the Board of Directors of the Caisse populaire de l'Anse de La Pocatière for more than a year.
	Patrick Deroy 19 years old DEC in social sciences, future psychologist Sat on the Board of Directors of the Caisse populaire Vallée de la Matapédia.

What made you want to sit on the Board of Directors of your caisse?

Emmanuel: I was working towards a DEC in administration at Cégep and a Desjardins representative came to one of our classes to tell us about the Young Intern Officer program. When I was in high school, I worked at the student caisse. Over the years, I even became General Manager, and Chair of the Board of Directors. The Young Intern Officer program really seemed interesting. It was the logical next step for me, and a good way to keep up my involvement with Desjardins.

Patrick: In my case, the people at my caisse approached me. I'm from a small town of about 1,300 people. I was already quite involved in the community. When the Young Intern Officer position became available, caisse officials called me to tell me about it and see if I was interested.

And you Emmanuel, how did you apply?

Emmanuel: I just sent my CV in after the Desjardins representative came to my class. A Young Intern Officer position was available and I was hired without even an interview!

Are there any prerequisites to becoming a Young Intern Officer?

Patrick: You have to be 18 years old and a member of the caisse. You can't be a caisse employee.

What is your role exactly?

Emmanuel: We attend board meetings once a month. We discuss various issues with other board members. We have the same right to speak as they do, but we can't vote, which means that when it comes to making decisions we can share our opinions but we can't help make the decisions.

Patrick: However, our argument might influence the board's decisions. My board tried very hard to let the younger ones have their say and I really believe they took my suggestions and comments seriously.

Why were you interested in being a Young Intern Officer?

Patrick: In my case, it's really the Desjardins Group philosophy that intrigues me. I am very interested in human behaviour, and I think that cooperation is one of the most basic values of a healthy society.

Emmanuel: I want to be a financial planner. I see getting involved in the workplace while I am still a student as a great opportunity to build a network of contacts.

What kind of supervision do you receive as interns?

Patrick: I love to observe. When I first started, I was shy, observant and I asked a lot of questions. All the board members were very helpful in answering my questions.

Emmanuel: At the start of my mandate, a board member was designated as my mentor. I sat next to him during meetings and was able to ask him questions. In the financial field, there is quite a bit of industry terms you have to learn. Now that I am starting my second year, I feel much more at ease and I want to get even more involved. In fact, I have recently joined a work committee that will select student members of the caisse who will be awarded bursaries.

You went on a trip to France. Tell us about your experience.

Emmanuel: The trip to France was a great experience, and it was my first time on an airplane! We were a group of 17 young intern officers from all over and for 10 days, we visited French financial cooperatives.

What did you learn from your experience?

Emmanuel: I came away with a lot of ideas! Seeing how things are done in other places is inspiring! I was really impressed by the things the Crédit mutuel cooperative has done for young people. It made me want to develop some of my own projects. I'd like to organize a tour of schools in my area to tell students about Desjardins and the caisse.

Patrick: When we left for France, I had just finished my mandate. The trip really made me want to continue my work with Desjardins because it made me realize that our cooperative is really on the cutting edge. I will be moving to Quebec City in September to continue my studies and eventually, I hope to gain a position in a caisse and sit on a board as an elected official.

How were you selected to participate in this trip?

Emmanuel: All Young Intern Officers can apply. Then, it's just a matter of luck to be chosen.

Do you think your internship experience will influence your career choices?

Emmanuel: Definately! I really want to work in the financial field, probably as a financial advisor. I just finished my DEC in administration and am now working in my field. In the fall of 2008, I will be continuing my studies in administration in university.

I also love sitting on the board of an organization and will definitely keep doing so in the coming years.

Patrick: I think that Desjardins Group is more of a personal choice than a career. Later on, I want to become a psychologist. I am interested in Desjardins Group because its cooperative values are more in line with my own, as opposed to the banks' values!