First Job Survey X2019: Smooth integration, varied career paths

The First Job Survey conducted in 2025 among students graduating from École Polytechnique engineering program in 2024 highlights the smooth transition into the workforce, as well as the diversity of their backgrounds and their commitment to the major challenges of our time. 

Of the 519 engineering students who graduated in 2024, including 408 French and 111 international students, 62% responded to this survey, which includes two new features: a survey of graduates on their contribution to the UN's sustainable development goals in the context of their employment, and a more detailed analysis of the professions of graduates recruited by companies.

Just over half (53%) of young engineers choose to start their careers in industry. A quarter opt for research by pursuing a PhD, and one in eight (16%) join the civil service and the Grands Corps de l'Etat (senior civil service).  Among graduates in employment, 94% found a job within six months of completing their studies, with 68% recruited before even completing their fourth year. These figures confirm the alignment between the polytechnic engineering program and the expectations of recruiters.

Variety of career paths in companies

Almost all engineers employed by companies are recruited on permanent contracts, and a third of them are recruited by companies where they have completed an internship or a gap year. 

Forty-three percent are recruited by large companies (more than 5,000 employees), 27% by medium-sized companies (250 to 5,000 employees), and 30% by small and micro-enterprises (fewer than 250 employees). Polytechnique engineers thus contribute to the development of all players in the business world, regardless of their size or field of activity.

Thus, across the entire graduating class, 12% of engineering graduates work in banking and insurance, 9% in the energy sector, 9% in consulting, 8% in IT, digital technology, and telecommunications, 8% in industry (including civil engineering, aeronautics, rail, shipbuilding, and defense), 2% in health technologies, 1% in tertiary services, 1% in public bodies or research as private sector employees, and 2% in other sectors. 

The top five positions held in companies are: research and development (23% of graduates in companies), IT (21%), research, consulting, and expertise (21%), production and operations (11%), and management, finance, and accounting (10%).

The vast majority of graduates entering the business world are working in France six months after graduation: this is the case for 82% of French engineering students and 76% of international engineering students. The proportion of young international graduates starting their careers in France has increased significantly compared to the previous graduating class, where the rate was 48%. Across all nationalities, France (81%), the United States (8%), and the United Kingdom (4%) are the three main destinations preferred by young graduates entering the workforce.

The average gross annual salary upon hiring in France is €55,000 excluding bonuses, or €68,000 including bonuses, for these graduates working in companies. When expatriate graduates are included, the average gross annual salary rises to €66,000 excluding bonuses (€84,000 including bonuses). Salary ranks only third among the criteria cited for choosing a first job, behind the content of the proposed position and the company's sector of activity.

Research and public service

Of the 25% of graduates who pursue a PhD (28% of women and 24% of men), 80% do so in France. The most popular disciplines are physics (38%), mathematics (25%), computer science (15%), and biology (8%). The average gross annual salary for doctoral students in France and abroad is €33,000 excluding additional assignments (teaching, etc.) and €44,000 including additional assignments.

In addition, 16% of graduates enter public service, including 13% who join a government corps (Corps of Civil Engineers, Corps of Engineers of the Army, Corps of Engineers of the Navy, Corps of Engineers of the Air Force, Corps of Engineers of Maritime Affairs, Corps of Engineers of the National Police), and 3% who enter the civil service (Corps of Administrators of INSEE, Corps of Officers of the Army, Air Force, Maritime Affairs, Navy, or National Police). Corps of Mining Engineers, Corps of INSEE Administrators, Corps of Army, Air Force, Maritime Affairs, Navy, or National Police Officers), and 3% via other statuses (contractual, etc.), confirming graduates' attachment to these careers. The most frequently cited motivations are the content of the job, its suitability for their career plans, the prospects for advancement within the organization, and the organization's values. Their job satisfaction rate (70% very satisfied, 24% somewhat satisfied) is higher than the average for graduates in employment (54% satisfied, 35% somewhat satisfied).

Their average gross annual salary is €46,000 excluding bonuses and €57,000 including bonuses.

Five of the survey respondents are entrepreneurs, mainly in the IT sector.

Contributions to sustainable development goals

When asked about the contribution of their jobs to one or more of the UN's 17 Sustainable Development Goals, 42% of employed 2024 graduates cited Goal 9 (industry, innovation, and resilient infrastructure), 26% highlighted goal 7 (affordable and clean energy), 24% goal 13 (climate action), 17% goal 8 (decent work and economic growth), 16% goal 12 (sustainable consumption and production), 15% cite Goal 11 (sustainable cities and communities), 11% cite Goal 3 (good health and well-being), and 10% cite Goal 16 (peace, justice, and strong institutions). The other goals are cited by less than 10% of employed graduates (multiple answers were allowed).

The seventeen goals established by the member states of the United Nations are set out in the 2030 Agenda, adopted by the United Nations (UN) in September 2015. These interconnected goals aim to eradicate poverty in all its forms and in all countries, protect the planet, ensure prosperity for all, and promote peace and justice.