Renaud Despots Allaire

Employer | ON AG, Zurich, Switzerland

Criteria that helped to get the job | A combination of passion, determination, work experience and academic studies

General fields of activity | Footwear manufacturing engineering and footwear technology, concept creation and development

Typical daily routine| I usually start my day with a short high-intensity morning work-out, followed by a walk or bike ride to the office. Upon arrival at around 8:00 am, I greet my engineering team and enjoy a coffee with them to ease into the day. My workday typically consists of attending meetings related to specific innovation projects, conducting strategic and project management tasks, and following up on projects from concept creation to technology transfer to our inline team. My day roughly ends around 5:00 to 5:30 pm.  

Working hours | 42,5 per week

"During my studies at GSU, I learned that motivation is the key factor in determining a student's success. The university boasts excellent professors who can serve as mentors and provide valuable resources to advance your career."

"While completing my Master's thesis, I continued to work at PUMA, which provided me with valuable work experience and helped me to stay on the company's radar for potential full-time positions after my studies. In the job market, work experience, whether gained through part-time or internship work, can be a major differentiating factor that sets you apart from other candidates."

"Living on my own in a foreign country has taught me many valuable lessons that I will carry with me for the rest of my life. I strongly believe that some of the most rewarding experiences I've had so far in my life were during the two study exchanges in Singapore. Not only did I gain new insights into different cultures and meet people from around the world, but more importantly, I discovered a lot about myself. A study abroad experience is a valuable investment that will never be regretted."

"Working in the sports industry has always been my goal, but I knew it woud be difficult to get started. Fortunately, GSU's reputation within the industry helped me secure an internship at PUMA headquarters in Germany. Even though the internship was not directly related to my area of expertise, I understood that it was an opportunity to expand my network and pave the way for future prospects. Internships are a great way to apply academic knowledge, gain practical experience, and deepen one's understanding of the business environment. This initial opportunity propelled me towards my dream job, leading me to a working student's position within the Innovation team at PUMA, and ultimately to my current position as Engineering Lead on the innovation team at On. In retrospect, internships are important life teaching moments that enable you to better understand yourself and your career aspirations. Whether internships prove your interest for a certain field or do the complete opposite, they remain an essential part of one's career path."

"One's life journey is never a straight path. It's important to remember that you have full control over your own journey."