My H is an industrial engineer (BS in ORIE + MBA) and is leading his company’s charge on the change over to using more sustainable materials. He’s done everything from M&A, to overseeing new tech, to driving new business models. He’s in a high level operations role but started way back in the day as a quality engineer.
My D’s mentor at work has a bachelor’s in chemical engineering and masters in sustainability engineering. She is helping the company’s efforts to reuse all their byproducts, minimizing waste, and recycling everything they can. She’s a younger grad and started in the company’s engineering leadership development program. The company paid for part of her master’s degree which she did part time while working.
We have another friend who works in the manufacturing of wind turbines. His industry has taken a big hit recently but they are hoping to ride out the next few years and focus on other markets.
My advice to your son is to be very flexible and keep an open mind about future employment. Almost all companies are concerned with sustainability and being environmentally responsible. The new grads that we know interested in sustainability who are struggling to find work, have pigeon holed themselves too narrowly. I’d let go of even discussing a “dream company” especially so early in the process.
I have wondered whether @mooshi5 should consider any options in Canada.
There are three universities in Quebec (two large, one small) which teach in English, but which would allow a student to live in a largely French-speaking or bilingual environment (McGill, Concordia, Bishop’s). There are multiple universities in Quebec that teach in French, with U. de Montreal being the largest, highest ranked, and best known.
There are a few French or bilingual universities elsewhere in Canada. There is a small French language university in New Brunswick (U. de Moncton), and another in Nova Scotia (U. Ste. Anne). Both are small and I do not know what majors are available. A daughter took a 5 week French immersion course at one of them over the summer and it was very good and surprisingly affordable.
The University of Ottawa is officially bilingual, with some classes taught in English and some classes taught in French (if you only speak one language you need to be careful to sign up for the correct class). The last time that I checked U.Ottawa provided a tuition break for bilingual students who took some classes in both languages, and I think that this even applies to international students.
One advantage of Canada is that it is relatively near by for those of us who live in the northern parts of the US. Another is that it is sort of “semi-abroad”, in the sense of being a foreign country but not all that far away and not all that unfamiliar. How affordable it is will depend upon which university and other considerations (such as whether you get merit aid and what citizenships you have) but at least universities in Canada generally even for international students are cheaper than full pay at private schools in the US. Some even for international students are not much more expensive compared to in-state prices at some public American universities. The exchange rate is favorable for us Americans (but not for students going the other way).
Just a note that the Polytechnique bachelor in English is NOT the military branch - no cool 1804 style uniform with a sword for the Bachelor students and no salary (getting into Polytechnique is a very specific path -~90% come from only 5 preparatory schools and 80% are multiple legacies.
It’s harsh and academically very hard
Once admitted you are paid a nice salary and “owe” 10 years as an Engineer in one of the public companies, though that’s another way to say you’ve got a guaranteed job).
The BS program, as well as the other 2 École programs in English I listed, functions more like a British style “joint degree” in math. It’s international-friendly so, mixes high expectations with a more welcoming environment&lots of student-managed clubs and activities.
I have no idea how helpful this will be, but my son did his spring semester at University of Paris 8, through the Brown in Paris program. I believe UofP has direct international student applications. My kid is a computer engineering major, and took 1 math and 2 CS classes while at Paris 8, all of which he enjoyed- he said the professors were great. Apparently Paris 8 is where the CS courses are taught, so he was placed at that campus, some of his friends were placed at the 1 campus (Pantheon-Sorbonne). He did mention that it was very different than what he was used to, in terms of not getting any feedback from profs until well into the semester- all his classes were taught in French, and it was a bit unnerving not knowing if he was passing or failing until it was too late to drop/add. The system doesn’t provide a lot of support, and there isn’t much feedback on classwork. For example, they had homework but it wasn’t really graded- they just had to take a couple big tests and rely on those grades for their class grade. That might work well for your student if they’re a good test taker. FWIW, my son is already exploring graduate school options in France, he had a fantastic time and enjoyed Paris 8 a great deal- might be worth checking out. Alternatively, if your son decides to apply to some domestic schools, ask about special interest language housing- many schools have a French House. I’ll also throw a vote in to go up and visit McGill- we were in Montreal a couple months ago and the campus is in such a nice area, everyone speaks French and it’s strong in STEM. Your student would have to be ok with huge lecture intro classes and very much a self-starter, though. Good luck!
Thanks for that info on Quebec and Canada. Definitely food for thought. My son would prefer to be in a city, so McGill will definitely be an option that we plan to explore. Will also check out U/Ottawa. Thanks!
