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Balancing beats, books, sports and humanitarian work: PGE student Félix Chantraine's SKEMA journey
Félix Chantraine is a student in the Master in Management (PGE) programme at SKEMA Business School. Having progressed from the ESDHEM programme, this marathon runner is also a musician in his spare time and has gained some renown on streaming platforms!
Hello Félix, before we discuss your academic journey, could you introduce us to your alter ego, Stazzia?
Stazzia is my stage name as a DJ. I currently have about 12,000 monthly listeners on streaming platforms, and some of my tracks have been played over 300,000 times. Electronic music is a passion I pursue alongside my studies, which helps me to express myself and connect with others. I was fortunate to join the music association "Skip The Beat" in my first year at ESDHEM, and I am now the president of this association.
Your academic journey is equally impressive. How did you start before joining SKEMA's PGE programme?
Before joining the PGE programme, I attended the ESDHEM programme at SKEMA, a course that combines a university degree in economics and management with preparation for the entrance exams of major business schools. This included internships, a semester abroad in Belo Horizonte, and of course, active participation in student life, which greatly enriched my experience.
Your commitment to humanitarian efforts is notable. What motivated you to contribute when you were in Cape Town, South Africa?
Humanitarian work is an essential part of what I want to do with my life. In Cape Town, with Ujumaa Solidarity, I worked closely with disadvantaged communities, especially the homeless. This experience enabled me to make a positive contribution. It was a small organisation, so I was able to do a lot.
You've chosen the finance and quants track at SKEMA. What draws you to this field?
Finance and quantitative methods are powerful tools for analysing and solving complex problems. What attracts me is the ability of these tools to transform and influence the economic world. I aspire to use these skills to make a positive difference in the financial sector.
As president of 'Skip the Beat', how do you manage this responsibility while being a student and DJ?
It's a challenge, certainly, but it's also extremely rewarding. 'Skip the Beat' allows me to merge my organisational skills with my passion for music. This involves a lot of planning and time management, but seeing the success of our events, like our open-air festival, makes it all very rewarding.
Your passion for marathons seems to play a big role in your life. What significance does it hold for you?
Running marathons enables me to challenge myself and stay focused on long-term goals. It's also a way to stay connected with my father, who got me into it! The recent Paris Marathon, where I accompanied my girlfriend, was a very special moment, focused more on mutual support than on personal competition. (Editor's note: Félix completed the marathon in 4h15).
What are your future plans, Félix?
After my gap year, I plan to dive deeper into the finance world. I also want to continue developing my DJ career under the name Stazzia and maintain my commitment to humanitarian and social causes.
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