Portrait of Margaux PLUS (HEI 2018)

• HELLO, can you briefly introduce yourself?

My name is Margaux, I'm 29 and I graduated from HEI in 2018. After my studies, I worked for a few years in the construction industry as a works engineer at Bouygues Construction. However, I decided to take a different turn from the one I had intended from the start. Together with my friend Marie Thieffry, I founded Abracadabra Lingerie, and we're currently in the midst of expanding our business.

• We're going to take a trip down memory lane. Can you tell us about your university career: training, specialization, associative life, projects, internships?

During my studies at HEI, I did two specializations: BAA in 4th year and Smart City in 5th year. As I was already very interested in all environmental issues, I wanted to get more involved in this field by doing some related internships. Being in the building sector, my aim was to work on projects linked to sustainable construction. This became a reality during my internships, and even more so during my gap year in Canada (Montreal). There, I joined an association specializing in sustainable construction and energy renovation, which reinforced my commitment to this field.

Then, still during my gap year, I did an internship focusing on high environmental quality buildings. Then, for my fifth-year internship, I joined Bouygues Construction's Sustainable Construction division to really work in this field. For my 5th year of study, I did a 6-month exchange in Dublin, where I did the whole "smart city" part.

As far as associations are concerned, I was part of the HEI jumping association as treasurer and then I joined the Evasion association, for all things travel-related.

• What's your best memory of your studies at JUNIA (HEI, ISA and ISEN Lille)?

I'd have to say Canada, because that's where I learned a lot of interesting things about constructing more energy-efficient buildings. It was my first experience abroad and I met some incredible people with whom I'm still in contact today. I had a wonderful time, discovered some breathtaking landscapes; it was truly the best experience of my school career.

• When you were studying, did you already know what you wanted to do and what job you were aiming for?

I imagined working in the field of sustainable construction in general. I didn't have a specific project in mind, but I wanted to contribute to improving building practices, whether through renovation or new construction. My interest in these subjects was motivated by my sensitivity to environmental issues. Although there was a slight change of course along the way, I remained in a field committed to environmental issues.

• What has been your career path since graduating?

After my internship at Bouygues, I did a 2-year graduate program at Bouygues Construction. This program consisted of changing jobs every six months, allowing me to see different positions within the company. I worked in technical management, sales, property development and construction. This experience enabled me to see the different professions present at Bouygues and also gave me a cross-functional understanding of the different divisions.
Having always planned to return to sustainable construction, I still wanted to go through the works to really understand how to construct a building and understand all aspects of the process to better work with them afterwards.

I didn't go back to sustainable construction, because in between came the idea for Abracadabra Lingerie, founded in 2022.

• What are the main tasks in your job?

I do a lot of things. At Abracadabra Lingerie, since there are two of us, we've been able to divide up the roles. I look after communications, marketing and business development, while my partner manages production and all administrative aspects.

• How has your network (school, alumni association, family, professional) played a role in the development of your career?

It was thanks to an HEI alumnus that I found my internship in Canada. He put me in touch with the company where he was working, and things clicked right away. I quickly became part of the alumni network, which I thought was great.

Today, I meet HEI alumni on a regular basis and discuss a wide range of subjects. Either they are former HEI students who have become entrepreneurs, with whom I discuss our respective problems, or they are people specialized in different fields whom I ask for advice. For my part, I'm often contacted by HEI students who are wondering about my current job or looking for internships, and I try to give back what I've been given.

• As a female engineer working in a professional environment that is often considered and stereotyped as masculine, would you have any advice for current female students considering a similar career path?

Now I work in the lingerie sector, so there are more women, which is fun because it's a more feminine environment. On the other hand, when I was in construction, I worked almost exclusively with men. It was a bit daunting the first few times, but you have to give it time. It can seem intimidating at first, but over time you realize that we have our place in any environment. We can bring things to the table that men can't necessarily offer. For example, we're sometimes more diplomatic, which can help avoid certain conflictual situations.

In the construction industry, all the men I've worked with have told me how nice it is to work with women, because there's less of a power struggle. You shouldn't be afraid of working in a masculine environment, because in the end it works out really well. A lot of stereotypes have already been broken, but you shouldn't be afraid to break the ones that still persist. At first, it may seem like a lot, but once you get into it, you realize that it's not that difficult.

• Another message to pass on?

I'd say don't be afraid to do things that are out of the ordinary, or out of the box. You shouldn't be afraid to change. I myself went from construction to setting up and running my own business in textiles and lingerie, which has absolutely nothing to do with it. But then, you can't be afraid of taking on something new and different. The great thing about HEI is that we're general engineers, so we learn to do lots of things. So you shouldn't be afraid to change direction in your career, to explore different fields. It's extremely enriching. As I always say ,if it's scary, it's because there's something really interesting behind it, so go for it!