Ugo DRIEUX

General information

Can you introduce yourself quickly? (Name, First name, Speciality)

I’m Ugo Drieux. Engineering Physics Specialization.

What has been your career path since high school?

I started with a PCSI and then PC CPGE at the Lycée Descartes in Tours, then in 2016 I entered the EIDD on the e3a competitive exam bank. Today, I have been working for two years at Optosigma Europe.

Mobility

What kind of mobility did you do and in what context?

I did a semester at the University of Massachusetts Amherst.

How did you hear about this opportunity?

I had discussed with Mrs. Mammeri at the beginning of the 2nd year because I always wanted to go abroad (especially in the United States). After that, the destination had yet to be defined. I made three wishes from the school’s list of partners and I managed to get my first wish at Amherst University.

Can you tell us quickly about this experience and what it brought you?

You learn the culture of the country, the language and of course the lessons related to engineering. But the most important thing is that you learn more about yourself. It’s a new challenge that makes you leave your comfort zone, your zone of habits.

How far in advance did you go to do the necessary steps?

It’s a long process. About 3 months for the file which is about 100 pages long. Then there is a long process especially to enter the United States (visa, round trip, embassy). In total, it took a year I would say.

What was the average cost of your mobility (excluding financial aid)?

I didn’t have to pay the cost of education because it was a partnership with the school. Afterwards, the costs on the spot are something that is both difficult to foresee and necessary. I would say that it was around 1200€ per month of which about 700$ was rent.

Have you used financial aid? If so, how did you hear about it?

No, and that’s lucky in a way. I know that there are scholarships to go abroad but I have not taken advantage of them.

What advice would you give to a young EIDD student who wants to go on a mobility trip?

Don’t hesitate! It’s scary and yes there is a lot of money. There are always options to work on site to make money. When you put all the things on paper, you have the impression that there are many disadvantages that accumulate. But what you earn is much more important than what you will ever get by staying here, even if the experience is not good. Afterwards, when I say don’t hesitate, it doesn’t mean don’t think about it. On the contrary, it is necessary to take the time to understand where I want to go, which place is the best for me and to pay attention to some important details that can escape us. For example, the location of my apartment in relation to the campus. Also, it’s seen as a negative on your resume to not have experience abroad given the many opportunities that exist today.

Do you have a funny anecdote to share with us?

The anecdote that struck me the most was when we went out for a drink with colleagues and we had to scan our identity card. Mine didn’t pass, so I had to give them my passport. When they saw my face, they refused to believe that I was 21! It’s strange because in Paris this kind of problem has never happened to me.

Community life

Have you been involved in community life? If yes, which association(s) and which position(s)?

Yes, I started by being the person in charge of the Student Council, events pole under the Machiavellian (2017 / 2018). Then, I was a student representative for 3 years. I also did a mission for the JEIDDC. I was, for 2 years, a member of the Alumni board of directors and then, for 2 years, president of this same association. I’ve done a bit of everything.

What made you want to participate and what did you get out of it?

I wanted to develop the school. And I know that if we develop something for everyone, there will be results for us (professional learning, soft skills, etc.).

Professional integration

Did you have difficulties finding your first job?

No, my current job is actually my 3A internship that turned into a permanent contract. The internship opportunity came from the company itself as they had had a good experience with a EIDD student in 2018. They had re-proposed the internship offer to another student at the school and I heard about this opportunity. Moreover, this offer corresponded exactly to what I wanted to do: there was a subsidiary in the United States, it was about optics, there was sales.

Can you describe a typical day at work?

There are two types of day. There is the day when we answer customers by email or by phone to guide them in their purchases, in their projects (40-50 customers per day). Afterwards, we can be on the road in Europe, either for a trade show or to visit customers. It’s always very active and that’s what interests me.

What do you like most about your job?

What do you like the least? I’ll answer like a salesman: the aspect I prefer is winning orders, the aspect I hate is losing orders. But what I also like is the diversity of the exchanges we can have and the confidence that my company has in our ability to give us more responsibility.

If you wish, can you give us an idea of your current salary?

Obviously, there are increases as we go along. Personally, I started in a low range between 28,000 and 30,000 € per year and that is enough for me. I have a small question about the salary, since I know that many people are interested. I don’t have the answer to this question and everyone puts in what they want. The question is: do you really need all that money at 23 years old?

What can you tell us about the gender balance in your company?

In photonics and in the environment I work in, there is a huge majority of boys (about 85%). After that, we are open to hiring more women in the team but for the moment, in terms of parity, we are not there yet.

In your opinion, what qualities and skills would be essential to your profession?

Fluency in English and the ability to adapt.

What advice would you give to a young EIDD student?

You have to give yourself a chance! You are lucky to be in a public school in the heart of Paris that offers a lot of opportunities. It’s easy to settle for the minimum. If you do a little more, it’s always more interesting and you won’t regret it later. The opportunities will come to you but they will also come to others so it’s up to you to take advantage of them and not hesitate to do a little more.