Corinne Hautavoine

On an industrial PhD

My career path

After having lived abroad until the age of 17 in Asia and Africa with my family, I returned to France to do my Scientific Baccalaureate, in Reims.

I then chose to continue my studies in the “Classes Préparatoires” knowing that I wanted to remain in the scientific domain but not to specialize straightaway. I therefore did a PCSI* course for my first year in class préparatoires. In fact, this was a very important year for me as it revealed my strong interest in chemistry, leading me to do a PC*, which I also passed.

When I gained entry to high level schools of science and engineering (Concours Communs Polytechniques), I chose to go to CPE Lyon for several reasons: first, for the options offered but also for the possibility of doing several internships and especially a year abroad in industry between the fourth and final year, without forgetting the importance of its strong connection with industry. I profited well from this opportunity of industrial placements to discover different companies, and this is how I had the possibility of doing a PhD in one of the industries I had worked in, immediately after graduating as an engineer.

* PCSI: Physics, Chemistry and Engineering Sciences
* PC: Physics, Chemistry

My job

I am now in the process of terminating my second year of my thesis between Germany (where my industrial sponsor is) and the UK (where my university is). This experience is extremely enriching because an industrial thesis is a project where it is necessary at the same time as obtaining results useful for the industry, to complete a thesis with a solid scientific base.

In conclusion

Three things have been important for me during my career so far and will certainly be so in the future:

  • Keep the maximum number of doors open before making a decision of orientation for the future ;
  • Create a network of contacts from my internships and conferences I have been to (CPE Lyon and other scientific conferences, etc.) and then keep these contacts;
  • Last but not least, and this is certainly linked to my childhood, is that I have always tried to ave the possibility of traveling.

A word to finish - one thing I have not mentioned but which I think underlies my career path is the fact of investing myself 100% in whatever I take on and do, in order to always give my best.