Beginning of June, Audrey Stewart, International Relations Director of ENSAM, and I spent a week in Texas to create and nurture partnerships with local universities and companies installed locally.
We visited 6 “local” though global companies. Our goal was to present our school, its values, and its academic specificities in order to get some internship positions fitted for our students and some sponsored master or PhD projects in American universities. We had the great pleasure to meet wonderful people in Schlumberger, Chevron, Technip, GDF-SUEZ, CGG and Baker Hughes. Thanks to either the presence of alumni in the management or well appreciated past experiences with interns, and with the help of Christian Turquat, Scientific Attaché at the French Consulat, a good amount of these companies will keep us in mind when it’s about quality interns.
Our objective in Texas was also to finalize the terms of a student exchange with Texas A&M (A&M standing for Agricultural and Mechanical not for Arts et Métiers). Texas A&M regroups a total of 50,000 students (Dwight Look College of Engineering – 12,000 students). We worked on a base plan of up to 6 Arts et Métiers students per year, in MS (Master of Science) or PhDs, in some of their departments, Industrial Engineering, Materials Science and Engineering, and Aerospace Engineering. The official partnerships still has to be signed, but as a first great news one of our student is integrating this fall Texas A&M for a financed PhD in Industrial Engineering.
We also met with the heads of International Graduate Programs at Rice University, another college in Houston (6500+ students on the campus, 2250 attending Brown School of Engineering). Our students will also soon have the opportunity to study in one of their departments.
Let's work together to make those partnerships successful !
Aurore Prevot, US Representative
Last June, Audrey Stewart, European and International Relations Director and I went in Texas to promote the school in US companies and universities. After one of our very long, yet productive days with future partners (read more), we had the pleasure to chill out with the local Gadz’Arts community.
We had the pleasure to enjoy the patio at The Tasting Room, downtown Houston and shared delicious wine and food. We spent a wonderful evening catching up with them about the changes at the school and the purpose of AFAM. We shared our American experiences and also our formal lives as students at the school.
Thank you all, Gadz’Arts from Houston for the warm welcome you organized for us during our visit in Texas !
Aurore Prevot (Li 98), US Representative.
On behalf of the School, I’m really happy to announce that 11 students have been accepted in a master’s program in the US, starting this fall 2014.
They’re going to integrate very prestigious campuses and proudly represent our School, our culture, and our local alumni. They will attend UC Berkeley, GeorgiaTech Atlanta, Columbia University, New York University, Texas A&M, Texas Tech and University of Florida. Their masters are really in a very large range of specialties, representing the wide spectrum of the current curriculum at Arts et Métiers ParisTech: Industrial Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Aerospace Engineering, Civil Engineering, Supply Chain Engineering and Management Science and Engineering.
I’d like to congratulate especially one of the 11. He’s been offered to integrate Texas A&M in PhD in Industrial Engineering. He’ll have the opportunity to graduate his master’s degree during is PhD curriculum. Being in the top 3 candidates, he’s been granted a fellowship. The Texas A&M and Arts et Métiers ParisTech faculties are collaborating for more than 20 years now.
Bravo to all of them.
We wish them a great endeavor in the US!
Aurore Prevot, US representative
Once a month we feature a member of our US based alumni community. We hope this serves as a way to stay in touch and get to know one another despite the grand size of the US.
Alumni and AFAM member Karim Boudah (Cl 91) is our next AFAM member profile.
Thank you Karim for sharing with us!
1. Tell us about your career path and area of expertise today. How did it come about?
I graduated from Arts & Metiers (Cl191) in 1994 and from Supelec (1996), spent about one year in the French Army and then got hired by Schlumberger in 1997. I spent two years designing electronics for oilfield tools used in completion and testing services. Then I got transferred in Houston Texas early 2000. During five years in Houston, I designed oilfield equipments for the Wireline market. That was a very enriching job but at the same time very challenging. I was traveling regularly in many countries and had to design electronics/software for new equipments. In 2002, I started a MBA from Rice University while working, and graduated in 2004. I read more than 70 books in business and read hundreds of business cases. I left Schlumberger in 2005 to start a business with an associate. In October 2005, we incorporated Lumen Digital Corp. We engaged in designing, manufacturing and marketing outdoor LED signs. We were the only manufacturer in Houston. Outdoor LED signs are like big outdoor TV used for stadium or outdoor advertising. I do remember our first client bringing a check of $40k. That was a nice feeling. While we were enjoying growth, in 2007, the economic crisis hit directly our market. Clients were no longer buying. To make matter worse, products from China were coming at pricing lower than our cost. The crisis was so severe that all our neighbors went bankrupted. We then shifted market and strived even during this bad time. We let the market drive us. We had a strong demand for electronics/firmware/software design services. We won regularly contracts in different industries. In 2010 we won a military contract. In 2011, we got out of the LED sign business and expanded further in the design market.
2. What do you do every day at work? How does being a Gadz’Arts help you in your everyday tasks and team management?
What we do every day is simple. We design electronic boards, firmware and software. We enjoy helping clients solve very challenging problems.
As a principal manager of Lumen Digital Corp, I deal on a daily basis with clients, banks and employees. I oversee the money as well.
I like the challenge of selling. This is not really a science. This is an Art.
Being a Gadz’Arts helped me in different ways. I have a lot of respect for any individual, whatever origin, culture, religion, color, gender and education of the person. This is important because nothing big can be achieved without teamwork. Teams today are multi-cultural. Tolerance is an important factor of leading.
As a company manager, we bear a responsibility towards the community. Giving jobs to people is important to us. We hire people for the long term. We do not consider people as asset, but as persons, key contributors to our future company success.
3. How did you come to the US- why and when? How is your work life different than in France?
I came to the US with Schlumberger through an internal transfer from Schlumberger Clamart to Schlumberger Houston with a visa L1B.
Coming to the US and doing a MBA was a dream. Starting a business in the US was another dream.
Work in the US is more relax. There is less pressure and more opportunities. People make more money too.
4. What is the best advice someone ever gave you? Why?
I really hate to give advice because there is not really one way of doing things in life. Each person can achieve success with his/her own way.
I would just give few things that I am considering important.
It is important to do what you like and what you are good at and what you can make sustainable money out of.
The second important thing is to know what you want to be and know what you want to do in the long term.
The third important thing is to find at one point a balance between work and personal life. This is the key for the long term happiness.
5. What is one favorite way to spend your free time (hobbies, weekend activities)?
I like fishing, and practicing a little of sport. I am a former basketball player and marathon runner. I also practiced Karate for several years. Now, I am practice sport moderately such as bicycle.
Thank you again for sharing your experience and thoughts on life in the USA for Gadz'Arts! AFAM is grateful for your support.
Once a month we feature a member of our US based alumni community. We hope this serves as a way to stay in touch and get to know one another despite the grand size of the US.
Alumni and AFAM member Nicolas Jaumard (Bo 99) is our next AFAM member profile.
Thank you Nicolas for sharing with us!
1. Tell us about your career path and area of expertise today. How did it come about?
At the end of my second prep school year at Déodat-de-Séverac (prepa PT*) I went to Paris for oral examinations, and after the last one I went to stay with friends of the family. During a bike ride I had a seemingly benign accident that led to back surgery 4 months later!!! Although I had chosen to become an engineer I had always been interested in pursuing a career in the medical field. Therefore, I sought and secured a spot in the Biomedical Engineering Program offered by ENSAM during my third year in Paris. This curriculum enabled me to marry my interests in both engineering and medicine. While looking for an overseas-based French company to sponsor me for an International Volunteer Program (VIE) organized by the French Foreign Office, I applied to a Biomechanics Lab at the University of Kansas. Four and half years later I had earned both a M.S. and a Ph.D. in Mechanical Engineering. I then joined the Departments of Neurosurgery and Bioengineering at the University of Pennsylvania as a Postdoctoral researcher in January of 2009. With expertise in biomechanics, I am now a Senior Research Coordinator in those Departments.
2. What do you do every day at work? How does being a Gadz’Arts help you in your everyday tasks and team management?
My responsibilities include but are not limited to developing, implementing, and performing experimental studies, analyzing and publishing the results of those investigations, and mentoring and training students involved in the research activities. I employ my technical and communication skills to support and collaborate with bioengineers and clinicians on various investigations in spine biomechanics. I always have my class notes from prep school and ENSAM at hand because they help me to maintain a sharp diversified knowledge.
3. How did you come to the US- why and when? How is your work life different than in France?
As detailed in my answer to the first question, I was pursuing an academic path that led me to the University of Kansas after earning both a B.S.-equivalent and a M.S.-equivalent degree at ENSAM. Apart from Summer jobs I never really experienced working in my native country, and therefore I cannot compare with my current professional situation in the US.
4. What is the best advice someone ever gave you? Why?
I cannot recall any advice given to me although there were probably plenty. However, I have followed a rule that has helped me to get where I am today. Always try to do your best because even if you fail something good will come out-of-it.
5. What is one favorite way to spend your free time (hobbies, weekend activities)?
This changes overtime especially when young kids are around…! I like to spend time with my wife and daughter (dancing, playing board games, playing the guitar, spending time outside).
Thank you again for sharing your experience and thoughts on life in the USA for Gadz'Arts! AFAM is grateful for your support.