Discover People at Soitec

A former correctional facility director, Coralie is now in charge of employer branding, diversity, inclusion, and partnerships at Soitec. Her unconventional background proves that a successful career change often stems from a single encounter - and the audacity to say yes.

What is your current role at Soitec?
I’ve been with Soitec for four years. After serving as an HRBP (Human Resources Business Partner) in Manufacturing for three years, my current role is to promote our Diversity and Inclusion policy and strengthen Soitec's employer brand. In this capacity, beyond managing internal events, I lead our relationships with schools and external partners in these fields. My core expertise remains operational, and I envision returning to an HRBP role in the future, as that is where I feel most useful, being in direct contact with the teams and supporting their development.

Nothing pointed toward a career in industry…
Absolutely nothing. After a Master’s degree in criminal law, I joined the “École nationale d’administration pénitentiaire” (the French National Correctional Administration Academy) to become a prison director, a fascinating profession I practiced for five years. My last post was in Savoie, at the Aiton prison, where I was the facility's Human Resources Director, managing about 130 people. It was an intense job, fueled by adrenaline and heavy human responsibilities, but also extremely exhausting. Before the age of 30, I could no longer find the work-life balance I was looking for: it was a 24/7 commitment.

How did you end up in the microelectronics industry?
Through a chance encounter. An acquaintance of mine worked at Soitec and was really thriving there; she encouraged me to apply for an HR position with shift hours. At first, I hesitated, thinking, "They’ll never hire a prison director!"

However, at Soitec, we look beyond the CV. I met the HR teams and various people up to the plant manager, and despite my unconventional profile, which may have been surprising at first, the connection was there. They were able to see past the uniform and the "cold" image sometimes associated with correctional staff. I was hired for my personality and my potential. I transitioned from public sector HR to private sector HR. It is completely different, but I learned on the job, and it has been very stimulating.

What skills from your previous life help you today?
A great deal of autonomy and a high tolerance for stress. When faced with unexpected issues in production, I always maintain perspective: "crises" seem much more manageable compared to what I’ve experienced before. This helps me make decisions calmly. My experience in direct dialogue with labor unions and managing complex teams is also a major asset for my role within Human Resources.

What difficulties did you face when you arrived?
The technical vocabulary. The acronyms. Looking back, it’s quite funny: during my first few days, I would pretend to understand and rarely asked for explanations in the moment. I would take notes and look up the definitions later. I sometimes felt like I was starting from scratch, but you eventually reclaim this new world as your own quite quickly.

What is your takeaway from this career change?
Coming here, I realized that my previous environment was sometimes violent and noisy. At Soitec, I found an environment that is demanding but respectful of my personal life. Dynamic without being intrusive. I want to say a huge thank you to everyone who gave me a chance. It perfectly illustrates the company's open-mindedness. Life is made of encounters; I would never have applied to Soitec if I hadn't been encouraged to!

What would you advise someone hesitating to change paths?
Change is always beneficial. If you’re starting to think about it, it’s because you’re no longer fully fulfilled where you are. You have to be bold: when you dare, you always win. You learn about yourself, put your past experiences into perspective, and discover new horizons. At Soitec, we are extremely well-supported in these transitions, so don’t be afraid, go for it!