Employability and Engineering in Toulouse

All students from the School of Engineering and Sustainable Development that will be in their second year of study in the 2023-24 academic year are eligible to participate on this opportunity. There is a maximum of 30 places available, with a minimum of 15 participants required for this opportunity to take place. Students are recommended to check the eligibility criteria before applying.

Trip description

This trip aims to enhance student employability and raise awareness of work experience, internship and placement opportunities in the Engineering sector, as well as explore various job roles and careers Engineering students can enter after graduation.

While in Toulouse, there will be the unique opportunity to visit the Airbus Factory in Blagnac, to discover the latest generation of Airbus aircraft. This will include a presentation of the on the history of Toulouse aviation, a tour of the 700 Airbus infrastructure and a visit to the A350XWB assembly line. Alongside the Airbus visit, the group will also spend time at the Aerosopia Muesuem to learn more about aviation and get the chance to step aboard a Concorde, experience a flight simulator and design your own aircraft. Furthermore, a trip to the Cite L’Espace will provide an opportunity to explore the life of an astronaut and view real space craft such as the Mir Space station.

In addition to the planned visits, there will also be the opportunity to develop transferable skills through an employability talk with DMU Alumni, an employability seminar delivered at ISAE-SUPAERO and several opportunities for self-reflection throughout the week.

Learning objectives

Participating in a DMU Global opportunity can help you develop a range of skills and knowledge that enhance your studies. Through participation in this trip to France we expect that you will:

Before the trip to Toulouse, students will be encouraged to attend workshops offered by the CEM Placements Team in the Summer and in Term 1 to help them build their CV, learn about cover letter writing and how to create a well-built LinkedIn Profile (helping connect to people in the industry)

After returning from Toulouse, students will be required to attend a debriefing session where they will be asked to reflect on their experience, highlighting what they learned and how this will impact their placement search going forward. The CEM Placements Team will also offer participants 1:1 appointments to advise students and support with their placement searching.

Cultural activities

During the trip there will be the opportunity to visit some of the culture highlights that Toulouse has to offer! Runway of Giants is a unique cultural venue which highlights and publicises aeronautical adventure and is dedicated to the pioneers of aviation.

Other cultural highlights include the Basilica of Saint-Sernin which is one of the largest churches of it’s kind in Europe, UNESCO World Heritage site the Canal du Midi which links Toulouse and the Mediterranean Sea, and Pont Neuf, the oldest bridge in Toulouse which crosses the banks of the river Garonne.