Internship

Internships play a crucial role in the engineering student training at Institut d'Optique Graduate School. They complement the theoretical and experimental training acquired within the school, covering both scientific and technical aspects as well as the "soft skills" required for engineering professions. Internships take place at the end of each of the 3 years of the engineering cycle for students in the classic and Innovation-Entrepreneurs (FIE) tracks.

• First year: Optional, this internship allows students to discover the professional world. Its duration is between 1 and 2 months. This period can also be used for language and cultural training in an immersive environment in a foreign country.
• Second year: Mandatory, this internship is of a scientific or technological nature. It applies the knowledge and skills acquired at the end of a year with numerous specialized courses. It can be carried out in a company or a laboratory. It lasts at least 11 weeks (May-August).
• Third year: This final internship is the highlight of the engineering cycle, with the writing of a dissertation and its defense before a jury. It can also validate the internship of the 2nd year of a Master's degree followed in parallel with the engineering training. Carried out in a company or a laboratory, the final year internship lasts between 4 and 6 months (March-August).

A company internship is mandatory for at least one of the two required internships. This gives all students the opportunity to observe the organizational procedures of a company and to experience the role of a newly qualified engineer. The types of companies available for internships are diverse, ranging from startups (Effilux, DAMAE Medical, GreenerWave...) to large multinational corporations (General Electric, L'Oréal, Mitsubishi, EY, Apple, Airbus, Valeo, Essilor, Thales, Safran...).

A research internship (fundamental, applied, or final-stage) in an industrial or public laboratory (universities, CNRS, CEA, ONERA, CNES, INRIA) is undertaken by around 75% of students. This type of internship offers students the opportunity to immerse themselves in the world of scientific research and can lead them to pursue a doctoral thesis, a path chosen by one-third of graduates each year, across all fields of study.

To enhance their language and cultural skills through immersion in an international professional context, all students studying in France are required to complete one of two mandatory internships abroad. These internships have been conducted in 35 countries across Europe, North America, South America, Africa, Asia, Oceania, and even Antarctica! An engineering degree from the Institut d'Optique is a valuable asset that opens doors to many international opportunities.