How to complete an internship at the Ministry of the Interior? How does the recruitment process work? Clotilde, intern at the Ministry of the Interior and responsible for sustainable development, gave us all the secrets to a successful interview. She also lifts the veil on her daily life within a very prestigious public institution.
The Ministry of the Interior is generally responsible for issues related to internal security, territorial administration and public freedoms. It is at the heart of French administration, ensuring in particular the maintenance and cohesion of the country’s institutions. It is also the guarantor of the security of all citizens. It operates in different areas: central administration, police, gendarmerie, civil security, foreigners in France, etc. It is located throughout the national metropolitan and overseas territory.
Clotilde’s journey
Can you present your journey?
My academic background is rather atypical. Initially, my ambition was to become a doctor and join Médecin Sans Frontières in order to dedicate my career to humanitarian missions. So I took a scientific baccalaureate. Following my final year, I did two years of medicine. Unfortunately, I missed the admissions by a very small margin.
Not having taken up medicine, I absolutely wanted to turn to another field that I liked and in which I could feel useful. Not knowing precisely what I wanted to do, I looked for studies with varied opportunities. I therefore reoriented myself towards an economics and management faculty where I completed a three-year degree in an international course in Brest. This reorientation allowed me to study two semesters abroad, in China, then in Italy. Following these two international experiences, I applied to join a business school. I was lucky enough to be admitted to GEM in master 1. Currently, I am in a gap year.
After doing my first internship at the NGO Global One in London, I joined the Ministry of the Interior, as a sustainable development project manager.
Recruitment processes at the Ministry of the Interior
How did the recruitment processes take place at the Ministry of the Interior?
I sent, as a spontaneous application, my CV and my cover letter to the Ministry of the Interior. A friend who worked there warned me that a position in sustainable development was available. Having a very particular attraction for missions relating to this field, I applied without hesitation for a six-month internship. Recruitment was very rapid. I had two exchanges, one by videoconference and the other by telephone
In general, in the public service, each structure operates differently. That said, I recommend to all interested people to favor spontaneous applications, both by email, if you can find email addresses, or via LinkedIn.
There are also sites dedicated to recruitment within the civil service (MEAE, PASS) where you can easily find job offers in public structures, ministries or embassies. But I must still admit that the procedure on these sites is a little longer. Having tried both, I recommend spontaneous applications.
Internship at the Ministry of the Interior
How did your internship go? Did you notice a difference between the image you had of the Ministry of the Interior and reality?
My internship went very well, so much so that at the end they offered me a 5-month fixed-term contract. In fact, I had a few months left before the end of my gap year, so I took the opportunity to accept their offer.
I work as a sustainable development project manager within the Ministry of the Interior with a team of 6 people. We deploy the sustainable development policy, internally, within the framework of the ministry’s professions. We raise awareness and support services and agents on various issues such as waste management, biodiversity or responsible purchasing.
What aspects did you like the most during your internship?
What I really liked about this internship was working in a good atmosphere, with a young and united team. I thought that in a ministry there would be more codes and I feared a stricter work atmosphere. It ultimately turns out that all the people are accessible and caring. With my colleagues, we share a lot of moments (picnic, lunch, etc.). There is therefore a good state of mind of sharing and conviviality.
This internship allowed me to discover many aspects relating to sustainable development. My first internship within the humanitarian association Global One was mainly focused on social projects while this one is more focused on the environmental aspect. I was able to develop skills in various fields thanks to the different specializations of my colleagues (energy, soft mobility, recycling). This internship was an opportunity for me to make links between a ministry with sovereign missions and environmental challenges.
What were your missions during this internship at the Ministry of the Interior?
I have the chance to intervene in several areas and accomplish very varied missions. I work hand in hand with my colleagues. I often intervene to support their tasks. I also support services in the deployment of actions, particularly on waste management, the preservation of biodiversity and responsible purchasing.
I also work on the communication and awareness aspect, by writing articles for the Intranet site and organizing thematic days.
In addition, I am working on an intrapreneurship project at the ministry to help agents implement projects relating to sustainable development in their structure.
Advice for successfully completing the Ministry of the Interior’s recruitment processes
Any final advice for those who want to apply to the Ministry of the Interior?
For my part, I never thought I would one day work in the public service and even less in a ministry. And yet, I’ve been here for 7 months! I think everyone has a chance to live this very enriching experience.
The ministry recruits a wide variety of profiles ranging from Sciences Po to engineering schools, but also schools specializing in the environment or business schools. It is therefore important not to get discouraged and not to be afraid to apply. I often tended to underestimate myself and was ultimately surprised by the results of my applications. My advice: be persistent and above all dare and try your luck, because you can have very nice surprises.
