Success Stories: Clementine Wencel’s — From Junior Enterprises Europe to PayPal

Clementine Wencel joined Junior Enterprises Europe (then called JADE) during the 2014-2015 mandate coming from the French Confederation. She served as Project Manager for International Expansion, focusing on establishing Junior Enterprises in countries where the Network was not yet developed. Now based in Luxembourg, Clementine works in Financial Planning and Analysis (FP&A) for PayPal. In her role, she creates strategic financial plans that address key questions, such as:

- Which product is going to grow the fastest?

- Is PayPal going to launch a product in new countries?

- What new technology or partner can help reduce the costs of card transactions?

Her extended team’s mission is to answer these questions and more, crafting a financial roadmap for the broader organisation.

Below, Clementine Wencel shares insights into her journey and how it has shaped her career in financial strategy on a global scale.

How did your experience in Junior Enterprises Europe contribute to your career path?

"JE Europe made me realise I am at ease in an International setting and love working with a multicultural team. I worked as a remote manager for most of the year, until I spent a good part of the summer in Brussels with the team, taking on extra projects—one of which was the success stories edition for that year. Balancing student life, an internship, and my role in JE Europe (formerly known as JADE) gave me strong organisational skills and taught me to be flexible."

Would you say that your experience in the Network influenced your decision to what you wanted to do in the future?

"Working in a Junior Enterprise exposes you to a variety of tasks, allowing you to discover what you enjoy and what you don’t. Personally, I found that managing client relationships wasn’t for me—I thought it was too stressful, and I didn’t feel comfortable delivering sales pitches. On the other hand, I enjoyed managing projects, like running marketing campaigns within the school, so I decided to steer my career in that direction. Even though I eventually pursued an analytical path and now work in finance, going through this process early in my adulthood was really beneficial for me to discover what I liked and what my skills were."

Personal Development

What skills did you develop during your time with Junior Enterprises Europe that you find most valuable today?

"I think organisation, as I mentioned before, has been incredibly valuable, along with strong listening skills. My time at JE Europe taught me to understand where people are coming from and to recognise the blockers or concerns they may have."

Can you share any challenges you faced during your time with Junior Enterprises Europe and how you overcame them?

“One of my challenges was keeping early-stage Junior Enterprises motivated, especially since becoming an established JE is a long journey. This was particularly difficult if one of the venture’s early leaders had to step away for a semester abroad, an internship, or upon graduating. I had both successes and setbacks, but I believe that showing and sharing positivity made me well-suited for this role—something people still thank me for today. It also showed me the difficulty of creating and motivating a team. I don’t think there’s a magic formula for that, but regular feedback and being kind and helpful to others is definitely a good start.”

Impact on Career Path

Was there a pivotal moment or decision during your time with Junior Enterprises Europe that influenced your career direction?

“The summer I spent at the JE Europe house in Brussels definitely confirmed my choice of continuing my studies abroad. After my mandate at JE Europe, I continued my bachelor's degree in the US for a double degree; and after that I did my Master's degree in Italy with another double degree in Sweden. At the end of my studies, I had studied in 4 countries and did internships in 3 countries; for which JE Europe was really the first step. I don't think my CV would have been as competitive when searching for a job in my early career without this International background.”

How did being part of Junior Enterprises Europe help you stand out to potential employers?

"It was one of the first things on my CV (I was a Junior Entrepreneur in my freshman year and joined JE Europe in my second year of university), so it really helped me discuss my experience of 'working in a team' during early interviews. It gave employers the impression of someone dedicated, hard-working, and resilient."

Advice and Insights

What mistakes or challenges have you faced during your time in the Network that you think current Junior Entrepreneurs can learn from?

"The motto of the JE network is learning by doing, so I really encourage everyone to be in the action rather than think of the potential mistakes they could make. "

What are some key trends or innovations in your industry that Junior Entrepreneurs should be aware of?

“Freelance and Outsourcing: With an increasing share of the workforce being self-employed or freelancing, the demand for outsourced services has grown significantly (e.g., social media management, marketing content creation, event organisation/management). This shift could open up additional opportunities for JE projects, as more companies are already outsourcing some of their work, reducing barriers for collaboration.

Small Businesses Need More Support than Before: Since the majority of JE projects have traditionally supported small businesses, their role is becoming even more vital within local ecosystems. The JE movement could play a key role in helping small companies become more efficient—for example, by implementing AI to prioritise and simplify basic admin tasks or by introducing businesses to open-source or low-cost software that could enhance their operations."

Engagement and Contribution

How do you stay connected with Junior Enterprises Europe or other alumni?

“Mostly through social networks—when I see someone I was close to from the Network posting stories in the city where I am, I’ll ping them and try to catch up. But this is rather rare; I’ve spent over five years in the U.S. since I left the Network, and there were few alumni there.

On a few occasions, I also joined calls organised by our mandate.”

Final Thoughts

What advice would you give to current Junior Entrepreneurs?

Use your time in the Network to discover yourself—learn what you enjoy and what you're good at. Being a Junior Entrepreneur provides a foundation for that kind of growth that no university class can match.

This story shows how far the Junior Enterprise journey can take you—professionally and personally. It’s a reminder that with passion and hard work, anything is possible. Let it inspire you to keep chasing your dreams and building your future 💡✨