Thomas F. - Project Engineer, Subsea Lifting & Marine Operations Technip Norge AS

MINI PORTRAIT

Originally from Finistère, I have always been interested in a career in maritime engineering… so I choose Centrale Nantes for the Ocean specialisation. I spent a year out in industry split between Lorient (DCNS shipyard) and Singapore (PAP Engineering, design office, offshore installation). On the clubs and associations front, I campaigned for election to the Student Union and joined the rowing club and the ‘zik’ club.

YOUR CURRENT POSITION

After a VIE (Volunteering for International Experience) in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, I joined the Norwegian subsidiary of Technip as an offshore installation engineer. I prepare the installation of pipelines or underwater structures for oil or marine renewable energy projects and I supervise operations during their offshore installation. It is an exciting job that combines technical studies, management and field experience (at sea). I would like to move more towards the marine renewable energy sector, remaining within the field of offshore installation.

WHAT PART OF YOUR CENTRALE NANTES TRAINING HELPS YOU IN YOUR POSITION TODAY?

All the final year courses and particularly the Ocean Engineering specialisation - of high quality and closely linked to industrial problems - are directly applied in my daily work. Obviously, because of the international nature of the oil and gas industry, English courses, communication and management courses have also been helpful.

WHAT DID YOU LIKE ABOUT CENTRALE NANTES?

The multitude of choices on offer in the courses, in the curriculum, in associations and sports, and the very good atmosphere. The city of Nantes, which is really dynamic in terms of culture and outings. The campus, with its city-location, the halls of residence for the 1st year, then the flat-sharing ...

ADVICE FOR PROSPECTIVE STUDENTS

Centrale Nantes is a dynamic school - as reflected in the diversity of courses and with its international and local partnerships (Audencia Business School , and ensa, school of Architecture…). It also has very close links with industry (research activity and its alumni network). The campus is in an excellent location and the Nantes region offers very good prospects to embark upon a career in high-tech industries (aeronautics, naval sector, energy, etc.) ...

CENTRALE NANTES IN THREE WORDS

Dynamic, multi-disciplinary, international.