Hassan CHRAIBI (TBS 2011) - Member of the Board, Airbus Bremen Manufacturing Line

"I fell in love with the adrenaline of collective fulfilment, as well as the warmth of human connections when they are based on trust."

Why did you chose TBS for your studies? Tell us about your time as a student at TBS!

My choice of Toulouse was based on a dream of mine: that of working in the world of aerospace. My family called me "the astronaut" when I was a child because I always had my head in the stars of Moroccan nights.
Of course, when I first got to Toulouse I didn’t know anyone, and I knew even fewer people in the aeronautical world, but my obsession to get there let me meet the right people.
The course I choose for my apprenticeship with Airbus was to do a Major in Supply Chain and Operations. 

Have you any stories about your year to share with us? Were you part of a student association at TBS?

In general, I was addicted to extra-curricular activities and Chinese classes (where I met my future wife) Salsa, Student Associations, Volleyball, Debating, Swimming, Judo, Thai Boxing, and Tennis. I think I was celebrating the chance to rediscover the notion of free time after doing prep courses. This has since calmed down a bit with the rhythm of learning. 

What are you doing today and how did you get to this point in your professional career? 

Most of all, my studies taught me endurance. The preparatory classes and the intense pace of learning taught me to handle large amounts of work while staying calm (which got stronger with experience). They also taught me how to forge strong bonds with peers, which has helped today in relationships with my colleagues. The winning mind-set of teachers (Mr Uche Okongwu and Mr. Stéphane Benaroya to name two) gave me the courage to go for positions at Airbus, which were classically reserved for engineers.

I live in Germany with my wife (also from the Class of 2011). We’ve been here for six years and are very happy because we have reached our goal to learn our 5th language. I am still with Airbus (10 years already!) and have the honour to sit on the board of directors of the factory that assembles the wings of long-haul carriers (Bremen) as an operational and financial performance manager.

I define my job first as that of a manager. My first experience in team management was five years ago. I fell in love with the adrenaline of collective fulfilment, as well as the warmth of human connections when they are based on trust.  I now have the privilege of practicing team empowerment, which means to back off and let yourself be surprised by the creativity and the vigour of your employees.

What advice would you give to TBS students and/or Alumni, who are looking to follow your career path?

For Life is just an employer,
He gives you what you ask,
But once you have set the wages,
Why, you must bear the task.

-   Jessie B. Rittenhouse  

I think this poem illustrates one of the keys to success in life. Success is linked to the value we give ourselves. If we ask life to treat us royally, we will probably have a happy life; but if someone is convinced that life is a is a just long series of battles, chances are high that it will be a self-fulfilling prophecy that will make you suffer. 

Give yourself goals that frighten you and give yourself the means to get there. Success is more about endurance than luck or talent.

How does this apply to a young graduate without experience? You already come equipped with advantages that those older than you don’t have: flexibility, the ability to live with less money (and therefore mobility), digital mastery, energy, and motivation! Do not be arrogant, but know that you have the means to leave footprints!

Finally, surround yourself with people who inspire you, because your success will be the average of the five people you most often interact with.

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