Thomas Koechlin - International canoe-kayak slalom athlete - Alumni IAE Pau-Bayonne Master CCA

Thomas Koechlin, international canoe-kayak slalom  athlete and IAE Pau-Bayonne Master's Degree in Accounting, Controlling and Auditing Alumni
‘It was great to be able to study in a quiet environment and then work out outside during training sessions. This balance between intellectual and physical activity was extremely beneficial for me.’

Can you introduce yourself in a few words? What course did you take at IAE Pau-Bayonne? What has been your career path so far? What about your sporting career?

I graduated from the Master CCA in 2015 and have been representing Switzerland in slalom canoeing for 15 years now at international level. My sporting career has seen me win several World Cup medals, a medal at the European Championships and a place at the Tokyo Olympic Games in 2021.
On a professional level, I've carried out a variety of assignments in small organisations and associations. However, my commitment to high-level sport, which is very demanding in terms of time, has so far limited my ability to work full-time.

In 2014, you joined the Master 2 in Accounting, Control and Auditing at IAE Pau-Bayonne. Why did you make this choice?

I joined the Master 2 in Accounting, Control and Auditing (CCA) at the IAE Pau-Bayonne for several reasons. Firstly, Pau is probably the best town in Europe for slalom canoe-kayak training, which was essential if I was to pursue my sporting goals. Secondly, the IAE Pau-Bayonne had an excellent reputation for welcoming and supporting top-level sportspeople, making it possible to combine demanding studies with a sporting career.
I wasn't disappointed: this environment enabled me to invest fully in my academic project (Big up Remi Chevallier).
I chose the accounting, control and auditing stream because I've always been interested in these areas and I knew that this knowledge would be a major asset. Even if I wasn't necessarily aiming for chartered accountancy, having solid skills in accounting, taxation and business management made sense if I wanted to be able to set up and run my own business one day.

How have you been able to conciliate your studies at the IAE Pau-Bayonne with your career as a top-level sportsman, training, travelling and competing?

Most of the teachers at the IAE Pau-Bayonne have been very accommodating and accommodating of my situation as a top-level athlete. They've shown a lot of understanding to enable me to reconcile my training, my international competitions and my studies as well as possible. However, I was absent for an entire exam session, which meant that I had to take all the tests in a make-up session. Easy peasy.
Fortunately, I was also able to count on some very nice classmates (one even became my wife), who helped me by passing on their lessons and notes. I found this balance between student life and a sporting career extremely rewarding. It gave me a change of scene, meant that I wasn't just concentrating on the sport, and allowed me to meet other people and broaden my horizons. This balance also helped me to relieve the pressure of competition: there were other things in my life besides sport, in particular studies and plans for the future.
I'm convinced that this balance is essential. It was really nice to be able to study in a calm environment, and then spend some time outside training. This balance between intellectual and physical activity was extremely beneficial for me.

Would you have any advice or words of advice for students and alumni who would like to combine their studies, professional life and sporting career?

If I had to give advice to students wishing to combine their studies with a career in sport, I'm convinced that anything is possible. You just need to have a motivating project, be organised and surround yourself with a few caring people. With these ingredients, anything is achievable - and it can even become a wonderful quest!

Do you have a message for students currently studying at IAE Pau-Bayonne?

Finally, a word to the students currently studying at IAE Pau-Bayonne: I wish you lots of courage for the exams coming up. It's not always an easy time, especially if you haven't planned ahead (I know a thing or two about that!) But it's still a great challenge and some very intense moments!

Find out more about the Master's degree in Accounting, Controlling and Auditing:

Master's degree in Accounting, Controlling and Auditing