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What exactly is your role at EDF (Électricité de France)? What does your typical workday look like?

I work on the EPR2 nuclear power plant project, assisting architects and engineers in defining technical requirements for the nuclear island systems and preparing their verification throughout the various phases of the nuclear project lifecycle. I also check that the defined technical requirements comply with the applicable quality management system rules. I can work from home about 50% of the time; on other days, I go to the offices in Paris or travel to Lyon to meet colleagues working on the project.

When and why did you choose France and this particular company? What led you to this decision?

In 2011, after completing my master’s degree at the Faculty of Electrical Engineering at UWB, I received a scholarship from the French government and began an international master’s program at INSTN (Institut National des Sciences et Techniques Nucléaires) in Saclay, focused on nuclear decommissioning and radioactive waste management. During my studies, many of our classes were taught by industry professionals, which gave me insight into EDF’s work. A job at EDF can be very diverse and allows involvement in all phases of a nuclear power plant’s lifecycle—from planning and construction to operation and decommissioning. I found that appealing, took a chance, and EDF accepted me into one of its international projects.

How difficult was it to establish yourself as a foreign engineer in such a large energy company? Did you face any language or cultural barriers?

At first, I had to work on my French. I had started learning it in university, but conversations didn’t go quite the way they were taught in school (laughs). EDF in France is a multicultural environment, so people speak fluent English, but often also very good French, even if they’re not native speakers. Conversations often start in English and end in French—it just works that way here.

Do you notice any differences in how engineering as a profession—or women in technical fields—is perceived in France versus the Czech Republic?

Generally, there's a high demand for technically educated professionals, which I think guarantees good pay and long-term career stability. In France, women hold about 20–30% of engineering positions, depending on the specialization. One difference is that French women don’t typically take long parental leave. After the standard 10 weeks of maternity leave, they return to work. It’s demanding—you don’t get much sleep (I speak from experience, as a working mother of two young boys)—but it allows women to develop their careers on the same path as men. Compared to the Czech Republic, there are more women in leadership roles here, probably because there’s no career break due to long parental leave.

What do you think makes a “Czech engineering education” an advantage abroad?

That’s hard to say, but I think it helps that Czech bachelor's and master's programs are well-structured and coherent. Students gain a comprehensive understanding of their field. Many of my colleagues studied at multiple universities or had programs made up of loosely connected modules, which I don’t think is ideal.

Do you see yourself working in the energy sector in five or ten years?

Definitely. My path has always led toward nuclear energy. I see my future in this field—especially since I work for one of Europe’s leading energy companies, which currently operates 58 nuclear reactors in France. I’m involved in the design and development of the new EPR2 reactor, which is planned at several French locations. It’s a key project for increasing the share of nuclear energy and reducing greenhouse gas emissions in France. I’ve fulfilled my dream of living in Paris, and after several years there, I’m now moving to the alabaster coast of scenic Normandy. Starting in September, I’ll be working as a nuclear safety and quality engineer on the preparation of Europe’s largest nuclear construction site—Penly Units 3 and 4 (EPR2). I’ve also made a formal commitment to stay in this position for at least another five years. So yes, I absolutely see my future in nuclear energy.

How did your studies at the Faculty of Electrical Engineering at UWB help you in retrospect? Was there a particular field, subject, or teacher who had a major impact on you?

The quality of teaching at FEL, with its focus on understanding, critical thinking, and developing engineering judgment—that’s what stands out to me. Memorizing information isn’t useful if you forget it right away; it’s much more important to learn how to think. I must mention Dr. Jana Jiřičková, who guided me toward nuclear energy and the international program I joined. I’d also like to mention Associate Professor Zbyněk Martínek, who gave us the opportunity to do a two-week summer internship at the Dukovany nuclear plant and at hydroelectric plants—an experience I remember fondly.

What would you recommend to electrical engineering students who want to work in an international company—perhaps even outside the Czech Republic?

I’d recommend truly understanding the subject matter and principles so they can be applied in practice. Try to see the bigger picture and make connections to other fields like economics or ecology. Also, learn foreign languages beyond the required curriculum and get familiar with project management methods—they’ll definitely come in handy.

In one word, what’s the biggest contribution of FEL to your current career?

Quality of teaching—which includes the dedication of the faculty.

What do you remember most fondly about your time at UWB?

The carefree student years and the campus atmosphere. I’d like to stay connected with UWB. I can imagine future collaboration, such as offering internships to students at EDF, hosting topic-specific webinars, or even welcoming student visits to the EPR2 construction site in Penly.