Thibaut Legrand, coordinator of ParisTech Alumni in Shanghai

Could you tell us about your background?

After graduating from Arts et Métiers in 2016, I worked for two years in the UK before moving to China where I currently work as a digital transformation consultant.

Why did you expatriate to China?

I chose China because I had the opportunity to work as an international volunteer in a small company there. So far, I think it was the right choice because industry in China continues to develop in different directions, and the UK was in the process of negotiating Brexit when I left the country, which complicated the visibility for a European citizen to live there.

How are graduates from ParisTech engineering schools perceived by companies in China?

In China, ParisTech is seen more as a brand for students wishing to study in France in different specialties, rather than a group of schools as is the case in France. Although ParisTech's perimeter is evolving, the brand's reputation remains unchanged.

What is their added-value in China?

ParisTech engineers in China are well regarded and companies are happy to recruit them. ParisTech's French culture and engineering knowledge are appreciated by both large companies and SMEs in various sectors.

You are one of the organizers of ParisTech Alumni in Shanghai. What do you do to animate this community?

As coordinator of ParisTech in China, I'm involved in alumni public relations with companies wishing to recruit people from the ParisTech network. I also organize events to keep the community as close-knit as possible.

What are your projects with ParisTech Alumni in Shanghai?

The ParisTech Alumni in Shanghai would like to launch a project to centralize user interactions and registrations on a WeChat page.