Clermont School of Business x ESJ Pro: A Strategic Alliance to Offer a Unique Dual Expertise!
Starting next academic year, Clermont School of Business will introduce a new specialization as part of its work-study Bachelor’s program, titled “Media & Journalism”. Developed in partnership with ESJ Pro, the journalism training subsidiary of the Centre France – La Montagne group, this program combines economic and journalistic approaches, enabling students to gain journalistic skills while gaining an in-depth understanding of the contemporary challenges facing the media industry.
This one-year specialization, accessible with a Bac +2 qualification, is expected to welcome around 20 students in its inaugural class in September 2025. It offers full immersion in the media world, with courses taught by industry experts and contributions from renowned journalists from outlets such as La Montagne, BFM, Le Parisien, and Marianne.
The program’s objective: attract talent to a rapidly evolving industry, energize the region, and shape the future of media and journalism professions.
Why Combine the Expertise of a Business School and a Journalism School?
Thibaud Vuitton (Editorial Director, Centre France – La Montagne): Journalism is undergoing profound transformation, and it’s essential to equip journalists with new skills to navigate these changes. Business knowledge, understanding the sector’s economic dynamics, and the ability to conceptualize and develop new media formats—these competencies require the hybrid expertise that only a collaboration between a business school and a journalism school can provide.
Anne Pats (Director of Programs and Students, Clermont School of Business): This meeting of disciplines is incredibly enriching. It will allow students to acquire essential academic knowledge for pursuing a Master’s degree or entering the workforce while deepening their general culture and honing their writing and content creation skills. This dual learning focus is complemented by dual expertise in methodology: collaborative, agile, and autonomous work styles typical of business schools combined with the structured and precise writing skills essential in journalism.
Who Will Teach in This Program?
Thibaud Vuitton: Instructors from ESJ Pro are practicing journalists working for outlets like La Montagne, BFM, Marianne, and Le Parisien. Beyond this core team, we will also invite prominent journalists for masterclasses open to all students at Clermont School of Business.
What Kinds of Organizations Will Host Students for Work-Study Programs?
Thibaud Vuitton: All types of media organizations can host students. However, since ESJ Pro is a subsidiary of the Centre France – La Montagne group, positions are already reserved in this group’s newsrooms and other affiliated publications.
A program co-designed by:
Career Paths and Further Studies
Thibaud Vuitton: One of the primary benefits of a work-study program is that students will already have a foothold in a newsroom, opening concrete opportunities after graduation. For those wishing to explore other areas of journalism, such as television, the program provides a robust foundation to succeed in competitive journalism school exams.
To this end, we will offer a preparatory “Bootcamp” for these exams, providing an intensive one-week preparation session in December to ensure students are exceptionally well-equipped for their future careers or studies.
Anne Pats: Students will have options to pursue further studies in journalism schools, political science programs, or communication and digital fields through specialized Master’s programs.
At 20, opportunities should remain broad and adaptable, especially given the rapid evolution of the media landscape and our students’ aspirations!
A Message for Prospective Students
Anne Pats: This Bachelor’s program is unique in both its format and design. The alternating rhythm—six weeks with a media organization followed by two weeks at school—is innovative, providing ample time for professional and academic learning.
This program is a great fit for students torn between literary and humanistic pathways (such as preparatory literary courses or Sciences-Po) and a management school. They’ll gain foundational skills in management, budgeting, and economics while receiving comprehensive, hands-on training for careers in journalism and content creation.
In summary, this innovative program offers a wide range of skills and opens up multiple career paths.
Thibaud Vuitton: Journalism needs renewal. We need entrepreneurs who can shape tomorrow’s media, aligned with new audience habits while remaining uncompromising on fact-checking, ethics, and professionalism.
This program was designed with that vision in mind—and we’re counting on you to make it a success!
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