How can we effectively connect students with the business world, introduce them to the diversity of engineering careers, and give companies the opportunity to engage with their future talent? That is the goal of the “Matinée Mécènes” event, organized by the Office of Corporate Relations at the Metz “ Arts et Métiers ” campus.
At the December 11, 2025, event, eight corporate sponsors and nearly 180 first-year students from the Grande École Program came together. The morning featured a warm welcome, thematic workshops led by professionals, and a business lunch bringing together first- and second-year students. A total of 21 workshops were offered, with particularly strong student participation.
Industrial challenges at the heart of the discussions
Each partner company had the opportunity to share its expertise on topics directly related to current industry challenges and the careers of tomorrow. Topics covered included an introduction to the nuclear sector, the development of tomorrow’s pharmaceutical treatments, the roles of project managers and business managers, factory design, the challenges of agile manufacturing, design-build projects, and energy management in the context of the energy transition.
These presentations enabled students to better understand the realities of various sectors, the projects undertaken by companies, and the diversity of roles available to engineers. Interactive formats, role-playing exercises, games, and examples of real-world projects also provided a complementary approach to academic instruction.
The event’s richness also stemmed from the variety of sectors represented, including energy, pharmaceuticals, automotive, construction, consulting, services, and manufacturing. As a result, students gained a broad perspective on the career opportunities that may be open to them.
A benefit shared between students and businesses
For students, the Matinée Mécènes event offers a unique opportunity to explore different careers, gain a better understanding of what recruiters are looking for, and further their career planning. It also helps them identify the skills in demand, the work environments, and the career prospects available in various industrial sectors.
For companies, this event offers an opportunity to showcase their activities, business lines, projects, and culture to an audience of engineering students. It allows them to increase their visibility on campus, demonstrate their employer brand, and initiate a dialogue with future candidates for internships, work-study programs, or entry-level jobs.
The Business Lunch builds on this momentum in a more informal setting. It fosters direct exchanges between company representatives and students, allows for further discussion of the topics covered in the workshops, and helps build lasting relationships.
Positive feedback to help us continue to improve
The feedback survey conducted after the 2025 event highlighted several strengths: the quality of interactions, the effectiveness of the format combining workshops and lunch, the diversity of companies and topics covered, and the clarity of the presentations. Participants also emphasized the event’s significant added value and the interest shown by the students.
The suggestions gathered will help enhance future editions, particularly by strengthening student preparation, extending the time allocated for questions, and further facilitating discussions with the speakers. This commitment to continuous improvement reflects the campus’s dedication to offering a valuable, high-quality event tailored to everyone’s expectations.
Join the movement Arts et Métiers
Becoming a partner or sponsor of the Metz campus of the Arts et Métiers means fostering a lasting relationship between the school and industry. It also means taking advantage of unique opportunities to showcase your company’s fields of expertise, highlight your innovations, meet students, and help prepare them for the realities of the professional world.
Would you like to showcase your career opportunities, strengthen your employer brand, expand your recruitment efforts, or share your expertise with the engineers of tomorrow? Please contact the Office of Corporate Relations at the Metz “ Arts et Métiers ” campus to develop a partnership tailored to your company’s needs.
