Work-study in communication: Zahra’s testimonial, Digital Experience Assistant at Barilla

A work-study program in communication allows students to gain concrete professional experience while continuing their studies. At EFAP, this format, accessible from the 4th year, immerses students in the realities of the industry. In this article, Zahra, a student in the Specialized MBA in Digital Marketing & Business on a work-study program, shares her experience at Barilla Group, where she works on strategic digital challenges.

Zahra’s daily life, a 4th-year EFAP student on a work-study program at Barilla

For her work-study program, Zahra joined the Digital Experience team at Barilla Group as a Digital Experience Assistant Western Europe. She works on three brands within the group: Barilla, Harrys and Wasa, across the Western Europe region. Comfortable in an international environment, Zahra navigates daily between multiple languages, multicultural teams… and the very tangible world of Barilla products. An ideal setting to develop a global understanding of digital ecosystems and brand strategies.

Varied days at the heart of digital

Her work-study experience stands out for one key reason: no two days are the same. She works on a wide range of digital topics such as:

Website management and optimization
Participation in influencer campaigns
Creation and management of newsletters
Coordination between internal teams (“brand teams”) and agencies

A cross-functional role that allows her to understand the full digital ecosystem of a major brand.

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"Starting a work-study program in 4th year changes everything"

Zahra highlights a key point: the immediate impact of work-study on her learning.

“What motivates me the most is seeing my ideas come to life and appear on our social media. Starting a work-study program in 4th year changes everything. It’s not just theoretical classes: I immediately apply what I learn and can even suggest it within the company.”

Why work-study at EFAP makes the difference

EFAP offers work-study programs in communication starting in the 4th year with a clear objective: to train students who are quickly operational and able to meet market expectations.

This model is based on several concrete strengths:

A structured rhythm between classes and company work, anchoring learning in real-world professional contexts
Personalized support, with coaching and guidance throughout the program
A network of 30,000 partner companies, facilitating access to relevant professional missions
Curriculum aligned with industry trends (digital, influence, data, brand strategy…)

Work-study is not just an additional experience: it is fully integrated into the training program. Skills developed in class are directly applied in the workplace, and vice versa. Zahra’s experience is a concrete example: she applies what she learns at school daily in a demanding and international professional environment.

🔎 Why choose a work-study program in communication from the 4th year?

In communication, marketing, and digital careers, professional experience is now a key employability factor. Recruiters are looking for candidates who can quickly become operational, understand brand challenges, and adapt to constantly evolving environments. A work-study program directly addresses this need by combining academic training with hands-on experience.

In practical terms, work-study allows students to:

Apply theoretical knowledge in real situations (digital strategy, social media, influencer marketing, events…)
Develop operational skills quickly by working on real projects
Understand real business and brand challenges through direct exposure to teams
Build a strong professional network, essential for career entry

This format offers a major advantage: learning by doing. Students don’t just acquire knowledge — they actively apply it in a professional environment.

At EFAP, the 4th-year work-study program follows a structured and progressive learning approach. After three years of foundational training, students are ready to join a company and actively contribute to real projects.

Learn more

In which year can you start a work-study program at EFAP?

At EFAP, work-study in communication is available starting from the 4th year. Students begin their professional experience after building strong foundations during the first three years. The program continues in the 5th year, with several Specialized MBAs available as work-study options.

Discover our Specialized MBAs

What tasks do students carry out during a work-study program in communication at EFAP?

At EFAP, work-study programs are based on hands-on tasks aligned with partner companies’ needs.

Students may:

Manage or contribute to digital projects (websites, campaigns, content)
Participate in social media and influencer strategies
Create content (newsletters, articles, communication materials)
Coordinate between internal teams and agencies

Is work-study at EFAP paid and are tuition fees covered?

Yes, work-study at EFAP is paid and tuition fees are covered under an apprenticeship or professional contract.

In practice:

Students receive a monthly salary based on their age and contract type
Tuition fees are covered by the host company via its OPCO
Students do not have to pay tuition during their work-study period

This model allows students to gain financial independence while focusing fully on their studies and professional experience.

Learn more about work-study compensation

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