Our Incredible Life Paths: Laurent MALET (TBS 2000)

Would you tell us about yourself in a few words?

My name is Laurent Malet. I’m 43 years, married and a father of five. I’m a photographer in my free time.

Why did you choose to go to Toulouse and TBS, to continue your education?

Toulouse… why? The school’s ranking played a part, as much as the reputation of a school where you work harder than at the others. Maybe it was a bit masochist, but I wanted to make sure I would learn as much as possible. I also wanted to do a double degree abroad.

Would you tell us about your time as a student at TBS? 

Several people at TBS left their mark on me: Hervé GAUDIN, Uche OKONGWU, and Geneviève CAZES VALETTE supported me in my goal learn as much as possible. As a twist of fate, my roommate Emmanuel BAUDOIN is still a friend, and is a lecturer in the same school as one of my sisters!

Do you have any anecdotes from your graduating class to share? (Student associations, projects, professors…)

A moment, which I still think of with every presentation or speech I give (and I do that often), happened after a presentation I gave to Geneviève. Her evaluation was unquestionably spot on: “very good work, beautiful analysis, but a negative is that that you are a little timid in the delivery of your message. You have to give a presentation in a more personal, more physical way. In short, I try to be less timid!

Who are you today?

In the 20 years since my getting my degree, I’ve become a father, I’ve been an expatriate living in China, I’ve gone back to France, and I’ve left Paris to go back to my Peruvian roots.

In what perspective did you enter the labour force after you got your degree? What motivated you?

The same ones I have today. I wanted to work in field that is full of dedicated people, and have a positive impact on the people around me. It’s what drove me while I was at school, from the very beginning of my career, and at each stage of throughout my working life… and I hope to continue doing so!

What is your current situation?

After heading the Chinese subsidiary of a French engineering group, I returned to France to work for another company. Since the beginning of the year, I’ve worked at SOCOTECH.  I have two responsibilities: managing major projects and leading the company’s entities that work in the nuclear sector.

Why did you choose this job, this project?

I left a group that had been searching for many years without being able to find a direction for a group that is going through a transformation. It's this challenge that interested me. I’ve worked in company management and have managed business transformations since the beginning of my career. I had a strong interest in these areas, because they are where I’ve found the most interaction between the technical and the human element, and where I could have the most impact on things or people. What could be more satisfying than seeing the physical realisation of a project, or assisting an employee in their personal and professional development?

At what moment did you know that path was made for you?

I think I knew it long before I went to TBS or started working!

How did you get to where you are today in your career? (The major steps to consider)

After a short (frustrating) time at an auditing firm, I went to work for the French Alternative Energies and Atomic Energy Commission where I discovered an ultra-technical world oriented towards the maximum security of a low carbon sector, at a time when there was a rather marginal awareness of climate topics. I worked a lot with the United States and the Russian Federation and I was quickly given both delegation and managerial responsibilities. After almost 10 years, I went from working in the quasi-governmental sector to the private one. I went to work as the Director of Strategy and Development in the industry-energy department of an engineering group. I spent some great years there. As part of an ambitious and dynamic executive management team, we transformed a specialised research firm into a true multidisciplinary international engineering firm. I created two international subsidiaries (UAE and China) and set up transnational production teams with China, India, Poland, before I moved with my family from Beijing, China to lead the suffering Chinese subsidiary. Each time, without realising it until a consultant pointed out to me a few months ago, I am drawn to the most complex situations without any regrets.

How did your studies help you reach your personal and / or professional achievements?

TBS and the University of Strathclyde in Glasgow, where I did a double degree MBA, undeniably taught me how to handle a massive workload, on subjects that were always mixed and that had a strong human component. Even though my education had prepared me in a general way (thank you dad and mom), the courses strengthened, solidified, and professionalised these abilities. The balance of, the harmony within a team, is always a determining factor of its performance and the achievement of its objectives.

Where do you see yourself in 10 years?

In 10 years, I see myself happier than I am today… and that is a challenge in itself! Especially, it’s all about balance and harmony between work, family, and the extraprofessional activities we are involved in. (I was a city councilman before I moved abroad, and am now a Foreign Trade Advisor a France – which is a wonderful institution of professionals, experts in their fields or on some countries that help businesses, administration, politicians, students in their approach of the markets and cultures of the countries for which they have acquired expertise).

How do you see yourself as part of the alumni network?

How has the alumni network been a support for you?

I managed the Beijing branch of the network when I lived there (but which was smaller than the Shanghai branch where there were more alumni). Before that, and after that actually, every time I met an alumnus or alumna, being able to identify with this school made it easier.

How would you recommend it be used?

Our network is what we do. I believe that each of us must feel invested in its management, that everyone must respond to the calls of today's students and alumni, and that we must all dare to be involved with the network. Why not force everyone to participate once or twice a year at an alumni event, so it’s not a closed club of regulars but really a melting pot of the entire network that serves to connect and share information. contacts, information, etc?

What advice would you give to TBS alumni, students or graduates?

A mantra (for my generation) is carpe diem! Don’t give in to doing things the easy way. If the path looks complex but interesting, you need to get ready to go there, to motivate yourself, and to do it - to give it your all. We must dare, we musn’t be shy. A crazy but well-built project, carried out by someone who believes, who embodies it, can become a reality.