I realise that every day gives me a better understanding of the world around me and opens up new perspectives for my future.
I grew up in France before moving to the UK at the age of 18 to study political science at King’s College London. There I was lucky enough to benefit from a cross-disciplinary university system that allows everyone to specialise in their own areas of interest. That’s how I opted for a minor in the geopolitics of energy, a decision that has played a key role in my career direction.
It was with this same objective that I did my first placement in the shipping department of Total Gas and Power in London. This experience confirmed my desire to work in the energy sector.
I wanted to complete my course with management training and joined the ESSEC Business School Masters. The school’s system of chairs creates links between the academic and professional worlds. I joined the Chair in Urban Economics, where I was able to expand my knowledge, particularly of the links between private and public players in energy networks. In my second year, I started a work-study placement at Lab Crigen in the business development team.
Finally, I took the ETEM (Energy Technology Economics and Management) programme at IFP, which enabled me to add a ‘techno’ approach to my ‘market’ knowledge. I’ve really enjoyed this journey, even when it has challenged me and pushed me out of my comfort zone, to the point of doing petrochemicals - a subject that was completely unknown to me just a few weeks before!
Last September, I officially took up my position in Crigen’s Business Development team, and I’m delighted.
At Lab Crigen, the business development team works across the Labs. My job is to support the development of research projects with a view to commercial viability, and to improve and guarantee the profitability of existing offerings.
We’re working on a portfolio of cross-lab subjects with very different levels of maturity - which is actually very interesting! We provide support to project managers, constantly interacting with stakeholders, while keeping a close eye on the market. The core of our work is to build bridges between technological maturity and commercial maturity.
My work-study years enabled me to understand the time scale specific to R&D. It can’t produce a viable solution in three weeks, particularly as the research may focus on emerging or as yet non-existent markets. This does not exclude business development support to ensure we are ready for commercial deployment once the solution is mature.
For me, research at ENGIE is the base of the pyramid, and thanks to the diverse expertise of our researchers, it is able to identify the key levers for the energy transition. A research and development centre is essential to a company’s long-term prosperity.
One of my main motivations is to feel at the forefront of the efforts being made by an energy company with an international presence, committed to making the energy transition possible.
My generation is particularly affected by the climate emergency and the many challenges it poses, and for me it’s great to be working for a company like ENGIE, which has turned its entire strategy on its head by taking undeniable risks.
Every day I discover new areas of expertise and market prospects, against the backdrop of the question: “How can I contribute?”
What interests me is taking into account the economic reality of the solutions: to develop an offer, I have to understand the technologies and explain them to laypeople, always working with the research engineers. I can’t do anything on my own and I like working across the board, as part of a team.
What I really appreciate about Crigen is the diversity of profiles, in terms of career paths, specialities, origins and ages. I learn a lot through discovery and transmission.
Lastly, I realise that every day gives me a better understanding of the world around me and opens up new perspectives for my future. Starting with R&D means getting to the heart of tomorrow’s challenges for an energy group, and in particular for a group whose raison d’être is to act for the energy transition.
Although I live in Paris and enjoy my daily life here very much, I’ve discovered that I have a very Parisian passion for escaping Paris as much as possible to get away to the countryside! I’m discovering so much more of France, which isn’t a huge country, but has such a diverse geography, and I’m marvelling at the absolutely incredible landscapes and unique regional cultures.
Yes, that’s something my father said to me when I was very young. “Where there is a will, there is a way”. I can hear him saying this, it’s a bit like my Madeleine de Proust. And for me it’s always a motivating factor.
There are infinite possibilities, but it’s up to me to give myself the means to achieve what I want. I have all the cards in my hand to keep moving forward and no reason to give in. That’s my daily challenge.
It’s a subject that interests me a lot! My first response is that it is the responsibility of all of us, men and women alike, to pass on this desire to work in research, and to show that this sector is suitable for everyone.
Especially in these times of energy transition and climate emergency, it’s up to us, at our level, to embody what we’re doing and to highlight the role of R&D. You have to be an ambassador for your day-to-day work in research, and inspire students. Our generation is marked by a need for commitment and concrete action. This ambassadorial role is very important and I see it as a way of attracting talent.
The impact of our work for future generations is a lever we should be relying on. Rather than saying “we have to”, I think we should first of all present the incredible opportunities we have been given to work ourselves, to leave our mark to help with the energy transition.
The notion of commitment really defines me. I do what I do because I believe in it and I have a deep desire to see it through.
Secondly, the notion of empathy fits me well. I’m very sociable, I talk a lot and to everyone.
Well, I could say enthusiastic, which allows me to see the positive side of things and get going. Because more often than not, determination and desire are the keys to overcoming and getting round all the obstacles.
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