Their mission: managing Foncia Lyon's communications. This includes creating, designing, and managing posts on the agency's social media channels (Facebook, Instagram), as well as handling the internal newsletter covering the latest news.

From the second year of the Bachelor's programme, our students enter a work-study contract. That is the case for Anna, Carla, and Enzo, who are on work-study placements at FONCIA Lyon — and we had the chance to interview them for you!

 

What is FONCIA?

Founded in 1972, Foncia celebrated its fiftieth anniversary in 2022.

Over half a century, Foncia has become the trusted player in residential real estate services, supporting several million clients every day at every stage of their lives — making Foncia the leading property management and rental company in France.

 

What is it like to be on a work-study placement at FONCIA Lyon?

An exceptional setting, for starters!

Their mission: managing FONCIA Lyon's communications and enhancing its presence across the Lyon metropolitan area — home to 600 employees.

This involves:

  • Creating, designing, and managing posts on the agency's social media channels (Facebook, Instagram)
  • Managing the internal newsletter covering the latest news
  • Handling specific requests for visual creation, posters, and more

 

They share what their day-to-day life at FONCIA Lyon is like

"What I enjoy most about this placement is being able to work independently while still being guided by Carla and Violaine.

I also love being able to bring my own ideas to the social media content and to what I do every day. Foncia lets you discover your strengths and weaknesses while remaining supportive and encouraging."

Anna, 3rd year Bachelor UX Design

 

"The variety of tasks is what makes this placement so great. Since we have such a wide range of briefs, the assignments are really diverse.

For instance, we travel quite a bit for shoots. And I would also say the environment — working with people who share the same interests because we come from the same programme is a real bonus, it brings us closer together."

Enzo, 2nd year Bachelor UX Design

 

"This is my second year at Foncia Lyon and I am now the point of contact for the digital team and the work-study students — I support them with project and team management. The idea is to guide them and grow together throughout our placements.

What I love most is that no two days are the same, and also that I was given new responsibilities after just one year. I am also gradually discovering management skills. That is why I decided to continue my work-study contract with Foncia for my Master's degree.

People often think Foncia is just a real estate agency, but joining the Lyon teams to manage digital communications does not necessarily mean only dealing with property."

Carla, 1st year Master's Lead UX

 

What does a work-study contract at Digital Campus involve?

Work-study: an asset for the future

"I knew straight away that a work-study contract was ideal — I had already looked into it on social media. It is really a format that suits me. I loved Foncia Lyon's ambition around digital, and during the interview I immediately felt at ease with Violaine, who was very encouraging, and with Carla, who put me at ease knowing she was from the same school. I would say that having a work-study placement is a real plus — it gives you a professional environment alongside your studies, letting you straddle two different worlds: your initial training where you learn skills you apply in the workplace, and vice versa. It is truly a bonus worth considering." - Enzo, 2nd year Bachelor UX Design

 

Support throughout the internship and work-study search

"Digital Campus helped me in my search because I found the offer through the school's LinkedIn group and was able to contact the company quickly. The offer really appealed to me — it seemed very dynamic. After the interview I knew it had gone well, and the fact that the team had such a fresh and dynamic take on social media and how they work in a company really attracted me. I understood that fully after the interview, when I was able to connect properly with Carla and Violaine, and I realised I truly shared the company's values." - Anna, 3rd year Bachelor UX Design

 

"For my work-study search, I received several emails from Digital Campus and the FONCIA offer stood out because I felt I ticked all the boxes they were looking for and the assignments matched my studies. I applied, and everything went smoothly after I sent my CV and cover letter — I had an interview and received a reply fairly quickly." - Carla, 1st year Master's Lead UX

 

Attentive, personalised monitoring of students throughout their placement

"The school held several check-ins with the company — there were multiple follow-ups and contact sessions — and that exchange was genuinely appreciated within the company. That is precisely why we subsequently came back to Digital Campus Lyon to take on new work-study students and expand the digital communications team." - Carla, 1st year Master's Lead UX

 

From theory to practice

"During my 3rd year Bachelor's in Lyon, I was able to deepen my knowledge of project management — and that is what helps me day to day with all our project and team management. It really gives you an overall vision.

We also work on visual creation and space management; given my specialism in UX Design, that is a great help.

The company also brings me a lot in terms of public speaking and self-confidence." - Carla, 1st year Master's Lead UX

 

"I was able to put into practice in the workplace the technical skills I acquired in my first year — for example with Adobe Suite software such as Photoshop for design creation. I also applied my communications knowledge, for instance conducting trend monitoring and benchmarks." - Enzo, 2nd year Bachelor UX Design

 

Tips for future Digital Campus students?

"I would tell them to go for it, because it is an opportunity to grow and develop within a company. It is so important for your future!" - Anna, 3rd year Bachelor UX Design

 

"One piece of advice? Be yourself — especially in interviews. There is no point in lying, but do not hesitate to highlight what you do, even if it is an extracurricular activity, a club, whatever — it actually says a lot about who you are and your everyday drive! And if you choose Foncia, you are opting for an enriching professional experience, above all a dynamic one, with genuine possibilities and opportunities for career development. You do not need a background in real estate — it was not really our field either. Go for it and do not hesitate — everyone has a place here." - Carla, 1st year Master's Lead UX

 

"For the work-study search, I would advise students to start as early as possible and never give up. I know it can be tough to find something because there is a lot of competition and it can be hard to meet employer expectations. But we all have our place somewhere and you should never give up — I am living proof: I was only in my first year and I managed to find my place at Foncia Lyon. It just goes to show that anything is possible!" - Enzo, 2nd year Bachelor UX Design

 

Many thanks once again to our work-study students and to FONCIA Lyon for their warm welcome! We are not the only ones who are proud of our students!