Transitioning from apprenticeship to my very first job in tech

I had worked as a Product Designer apprentice for two years when I was offered my very first permanent contract at Criteo . I’ve grown in all sorts of ways since then, and while I’ve gained new technical skills, the thing I have developed most is something I didn’t expect: my confidence.

It all began during the apprenticeship, where I was given more responsibility as I went. My manager tailored my goals to my progress and possibilities, preparing me for what was to come next. I truly felt supported and empowered to do my work well. Thanks to his trust and support, I rapidly took part in design sprints, ran workshops, and even built my own research project on strategic and innovative topics from the ground up.

On top of that, I had the chance to be part of a multidisciplinary Product Design team (UX, Design System, Research, Data, Content) with a lot of senior expertise. Being in this environment has definitely helped me learn and grow as a designer.

So, when the permanent contract offer came through after two years, saying yes was obvious to me. I felt like everything I needed to grow was already there, around me. In a context that’s so tough for junior designers everywhere, I saw this opportunity as a strong mark of trust from my managers.

And that’s when my biggest surprise occurred: confidence was already there, right from the very first day of my permanent contract. The shift had taken place, and I was already feeling more comfortable in my role. I felt more empowered to share my opinions on technical topics, to present and defend my design decisions to stakeholders, and ask questions without fearing to be out of place. I was the first surprised! I wouldn’t say that the permanent contract built this confidence; it just revealed what I had been building since my first steps at Criteo .

Feeling entrusted with your responsibilities definitely makes a difference — even more for early-career professionals.

That’s why I’m so grateful to my managers, Emmanuel Brege and Aurélie Comin, for trusting me and giving me the means to grow at my own pace.

And of course, to my wonderfully talented teammates from whom I learn each day!