Working at Ardian, What Prestige doesn’t tell you?
For many students, joining a giant like Ardian is a dream. Albeit, behind the polished reputation lies a far more layered reality. A place of discipline. Doubt. Although, deep learning. Through the journey of Antoine Bernard, an ESCP student, we see not just how you get in, but of course, what the experience truly teaches.
In Private Equity, Ardian is an institution. Born in Paris and now active in 15 countries. The group, alone, manages over $160 billion in assets. Its name carries European excellence in finance, strategy and relentless standards. For a student landing an internship there feels like the ultimate milestone. Antoine Bernard, 23, made it happen. Part of Sustainable Finance & Data Dept., he looks back on a path built with intention, resilience and humility.
All sarted in Marseille where he finishes high school with a pressing urge to break away. Instead of the classic French prep route, he leaves straight to Montréal for a Bachelor of Commerce at Concordia University. His mission is becoming bilingual and escape what he saw as a rigid academic system. Quickly, he discovers the Anglo Saxon model: freedom to craft your curriculum, accountability and a culture of constant competition. Formerly top of his class, he suddenly has to grind hard just to validate his modules. A humbling shock.
How did his journey begin?
Between exams, he throws himself into the John Molson School of Business associations including the John Molson Investment Society and the John Molson International Business Association. These roles give him his first real taste of finance: organizing events & running projects collaborating with driven peers. It’s where he builds early strategic and managerial instincts (far beyond what textbooks teach).
Summer 2022 marks another step. Volunteering for Net Impact Montréal: a global network dedicated to social responsibility and sustainability. For six months, he supports researchers on budget management and project viability. This first concrete exposure to impact reveals a new truth: finance is not only about returns: it’s a tool for structure, clarity and meaningful outcomes.
After his bachelor, Antoine wants something sharper and technical. He joins Voltus (a US energy management company) for a six-month internship in Montréal. As a data analyst he works on optimizing the US commercial market strategy: data collection, statistical modeling, market segmentation, dashboards. Behind the buzz of energy transition lies a world of equations, algorithms & performance metrics. A raw, grounded immersion into the business of energy (minus the marketing slogans).
How did he eventually unlock ESCP & Ardian?
These experiences become his passport when (in 2023) he decides to level up. He passes the AST exam and enters ESCP’s Master in Management. One of Europe’s most selective programs. A decisive shift: credibility, visibility, momentum. From ESCP’s campus, he spots an opening at Ardian. No secret network, no insider shortcut. Really much just an online application, demanding interviews, and the power of a coherent story. His data skills, international background and discipline strike the right chord.
His advice to aspiring students is crystal clear. Preparation is everything and far beyond the CV. For Antoine, acing a finance interview starts with knowing the firm inside out: of course its products, its verticals but more deeply: its identity. Then comes technical mastery from modeling to market analysis. Finally, the human element: “Be nice & cool,” he says simply. Top funds want brilliant people above all, teammates who fit the culture. Talking to employees beforehand, sensing the “vibe” and aligning with it can change everything. It’s the formula he followed to secure Ardian.
What’s it really like inside?
Stepping into one of Europe’s most demanding financial environments; nothing is random at Ardian. Every detail matters and every task has purpose. Days run from 9:30 to 19:00 (longer during crunch time). Antoine works on (1) data modeling (2) company due diligence and (3) ESG reporting. He joins high level meetings where investment decisions take shape. What he learns goes beyond tools. Grasping industry dynamics, navigating return/responsibility trade offs and understanding collective decision-making.
Prestige doesn’t erase fatigue or doubt. The pressure is real. Antoine describes an accelerated learning curve where rigor becomes reflex and curiosity non-negotiable. Ardian’s teams (known for excellence) train him as close to reality as it gets: think fast, 2xcheck everything, and never settle for good enough!
What larger truth does this story reveal?
Antoine doesn’t romanticize his experience. He sees it as a stepping stone. A preparation for the complexities of modern finance not a final destination. Studying abroad, thriving in demanding environments, stacking real experiences: all of this helped him reach a top European school and land an internship in a globally recognized fund.
His journey reminds us that excellence has no shortcuts. Prestige must be earned: yes! But above all, it must be lived. At Ardian, Antoine Bernard didn’t find a static dream but a training ground where rigor and clarity walk hand in hand. And that may be the most valuable lesson of all.