Tag: InternationalWomen'sRightsDay

At Novelis, International Women’s Rights Day is an opportunity for us to showcase our exemplary record of supporting women’s success in the workplace. We currently have a near 50% gender parity, which is not always common in the tech industry where women often struggle to make their mark.

We want to share interviews with women who inspire us on a daily basis talking about their experiences and giving their recommendations for young girls who are the women of tomorrow in tech.

Lamiae Oumnih | Delivery Manager at Novelis

Question 1: What did you want to do when you were a child and what do you do now? 

When I was a child, like many at that age, I wanted to be a teacher. As I grew older, my career ambitions evolved and changed over time. I would say that my goals evolved with life experiences, the people I met along the way, and everything that contributed to shaping my personality. At one point, I wanted to be a journalist, then a lawyer, and finally I projected myself into finance, but ultimately, I ended up in IT. I had a lot of hesitation during that time, and I remember that my choice was made after seeking advice from the director of the institution I was studying at. By the way, it’s important to be open to other opinions to challenge ourselves. 

I am naturally persevering and bold in my decisions. I don’t like doubt and I do everything to reduce periods of doubt to a minimum, and I’ve been that way since a young age. When I left the director’s office, my decision was made IT. What’s exciting about life is that at any age, at any time, we have the right and the freedom to have dreams and ambitions. Today I have another dream, very different and very far from the industry I work in, but one that suits me better and could be pursued alongside my current job. 

Will I have the audacity and courage to try? I don’t close any doors and I believe that at any age, we can reserve and give ourselves the chance to try and believe in ourselves. This optimistic hope nourishes and fuels our ambitions and projects to come and establishes our belief in a better future. Of course, while remaining realistic, because being in a household with 5 children (the 4 little ones and their father) is a factor to consider, but it should not be considered a hindrance, just a parameter to consider in the construction of our projects. 

Question 2: What difficulties did you encounter to get where you are today? 

With hindsight, I have a different perspective on the difficulties I have encountered throughout my career or in my life in general. I am convinced today that without these difficulties, I would not have become the person I am, and these sporadic and episodic moments contribute to our development, provided we approach them with optimism. 

I prefer not to dwell on the difficult moments or obstacles that may have hindered my career because ultimately, we only keep the positive. However, what I can say is that no matter what difficulties we may encounter in life, it is only temporary, and it is essential to get back up quickly and approach the future positively and serenely, being convinced that optimism contributes to happiness (among other things). There is a quote from Nelson Mandela that I love and that has helped me in many situations: “I never lose; either I win, or I learn!” 

This quote can be applied in many situations, including what we can qualify as “failure.” We have the right to make mistakes; we must try while being measured, but if the project fails, we continue, we analyse the situation, try to understand what contributed to the failure, and then try again if we judge it possible while learning from this failure #ContinuousImprovement. 

Question 3 : What advice would you give to your younger self to achieve your dreams?

The list could be long if I venture into it! But I’ll stay pragmatic. My vision and definition of career goals have changed and evolved over the years. According to me, the goal should be to do what you love, because it is only by doing so that you can flourish at work, and it is the fulfilment at work that leads to excellence, the one that resembles us, reflects us, reveals us… 

Learn to know yourself, dare to naturally follow what your “inner self” dictates and be yourself, if there are no stakes, if it is easily achievable. You will always have the possibility to take the traditional path later, the reverse would be more difficult to achieve. Give yourself the chance to choose a path that resembles you, that is aligned with your values, give yourself the opportunity to be yourself at work and outside of it, it’s a luxury that only those who don’t have it realize! 

Question 4 : Another piece of advice for young girls who hesitate to pursue a career in science? 

The IT world is naturally very attractive, rich in the variety of jobs that shape it, and varied in the technologies that define it. It is a sector that offers a variety of jobs that are all equally interesting. If this sector attracts us closely or remotely, let your curiosity run free, and believe me, you will be served. 

But above all, dare to be yourself and choose your path by listening to yourself, trying to capitalize on your natural assets (personality, aspirations…) to orient yourself towards a profession that resembles you, that reflects you. 

Pauline Tang | Project Manager at Novelis 

Question 1: What did you want to do when you were a child and what do you do now? 

When I was little, I wanted to become an ophthalmologist, but I eventually chose to pursue a career in digital technology as a project manager. 

Question 2: What difficulties did you encounter to get where you are today? 

The science track in high school! I was bad at math and physics. I still sometimes wonder why I chose that track. The high school years were tough for me because I didn’t know what I wanted to do in life. Fortunately, I discovered web design and development when I was in 10th grade, and that’s how I got into the digital field. 

Question 3 : What advice would you give to your younger self to achieve your dreams?

To have confidence in yourself and dare to accept that you can turn a passion into a career, in which I still take pleasure! 

Question 4 : Another piece of advice for young girls who hesitate to pursue a career in science? 

There are a variety of positions in the scientific/tech field. You won’t be limited to just one position in your career, as you can evolve and have the chance to be in different positions. You never get bored! 

If I had advice to give to young women who are hesitant to pursue a career in tech, I would tell them to trust themselves and take the leap! You won’t be limited to just one position in your career as there are many different possibilities in the field. 

Farah Hajji | QA Testing & Smart Automation Engineer at Novelis 

Question 1: What did you want to do when you were a child and what do you do now? 

Since my childhood, I have always been drawn to the world of technology and computing. This fascination for computers and how they work has never left me, and I knew very early on that I wanted to work in this field. Today, as a software quality manager, contributing to software quality is exciting, and I am happy to work in a field that perfectly matches my interests and skills. 

Question 2: What difficulties did you encounter to get where you are today? 

I have encountered several difficulties getting where I am today. First, the field of computer science is often associated with men, and I have sometimes felt that I do not fit the stereotype of a person working in computer science. In addition, I have had difficulty finding mentors and guides to help me navigate in this field. Currently, thanks to technological monitoring, knowledge is accessible to everyone, so it is important to take advantage of this opportunity to stay up to date and develop skills. 

Question 3 : What advice would you give to your younger self to achieve your dreams?

If I could give advice to my younger self, I would tell her to be proud of her interests and passions. I would also tell her not to be afraid to take risks and try new things. Scientific and technical fields can seem intimidating, but with practice and perseverance, one can learn a lot and succeed. Finally, I would tell her not to give up on her dreams, even if it may seem difficult at times. 

Question 4 : Another piece of advice for young girls who hesitate to pursue a career in science? 

My advice would be to not hesitate to pursue a career in science or technology. Girls have just as much potential as boys in these fields, and it’s important to not let gender stereotypes or biases discourage you. Finding mentors and supportive communities to help navigate these fields is important, and don’t be afraid to ask for help and advice along the way. Lastly, I would tell young girls to have confidence in themselves and to persevere, because with hard work and determination, they can succeed in any career they choose. 

Yan Luo | Account Executive at Novelis 

Question 1: What did you want to do when you were a child and what do you do now? 

I dreamed of being a singer because I loved to sing when I was a little girl. Now I am working in the sales team in an innovative company for consulting and technologies. I enjoy being part of “Novelians” who wants to impact the tech world.   

Question 2: What difficulties did you encounter to get where you are today? 

I loved singing, but it was a hobby. I listened to my recording, and it sounds horrible. That’s when I realized that being a singer couldn’t be a career path for me if no one wanted to get hurt.   

Question 3 : What advice would you give to your younger self to achieve your dreams?

Be confident, brave and persistent if your dream means a lot to you. There could be distraction and noise around, don’t be afraid to be different. Focusing on the present and working hard for it.   

Question 4 : Another piece of advice for young girls who hesitate to pursue a career in science? 

I’m proud of myself for joining Tech, I discovered a whole new world. For young girls who are hesitating, my suggestion is if it interests you, Try it. Any action is often better than no action, life is all about experiencing.  

At Novelis, International Women’s Rights Day is an opportunity for us to showcase our exemplary record of supporting women’s success in the workplace. We currently have a near 50% gender parity, which is not always common in the tech industry where women often struggle to make their mark.

In line with the women who inspire us daily, we would like to share interviews with female entrepreneurs and CEOs who share their experiences and recommendations for young girls who are the women of tomorrow in tech.

Marion Carré is involved in multiple activities in parallel: as an entrepreneur, teacher, speaker, author, and artist. All these approaches allow her to explore the relationships between art and artificial intelligence from different angles. She is the co-founder and President of Ask Mona. Created in 2017, this innovative company uses artificial intelligence to facilitate the daily lives of cultural professionals and improve the experience of their audiences. Since 2019, she has been teaching a course on art and artificial intelligence at Sciences Po Paris, CELSA – Sorbonne University, and the Conservatoire national des Arts et métiers (CNAM). In 2020, she published a book with Valentin Schmite entitled “Propos sur l’art et l’intelligence artificielle. Artiste en devenir?” published by Éditions l’Art-Dit. She regularly gives talks on the subject of art and artificial intelligence in France and internationally. Marion has developed an artistic practice in which new technologies play an important role. She is the recipient of several awards, including Forbes 30 Under 30 France (2022) and Europe (2023), as well as 100 Women of Culture 2022.

Question 1: What did you want to do when you were a child and what do you do now? 

I wanted to become a journalist for a very long time, long before my internship in 9th grade confirmed this desire. Today, I have multiple hats: I am an entrepreneur, I give lectures, I work on artistic projects, and I have published two essays: the first one about art and AI, and the second one about “NFTs in the art world” which will be released in March. 

In the end, I think that the reasons why I wanted to be a journalist when I was younger are the same reasons why I am happy to do what I do today with Ask Mona and beyond. What I enjoy is transmitting, making knowledge accessible, democratizing and making certain complex subjects accessible… 

Question 2: What difficulties did you encounter to get where you are today? 

The first difficulty that comes to mind can also be an asset: starting young is a chance because you have fewer commitments, but it can also become a burden because you are often taken less seriously, especially as a young woman. As an anecdote, during a meeting to find a new bank with my associate, the banker mistook me for his intern and did not address me during the appointment. I think there is a real issue of being taken seriously as a young woman. 

Question 3 : What advice would you give to your younger self to achieve your dreams?

I think it’s important to stay open and curious, but above all follow your instincts, do what you’re passionate about, have a taste for effort, and not get discouraged. 

Question 4 : Another piece of advice for young girls who hesitate to pursue a career in science? 

As someone who straddles the fields of AI and culture, it is true that at first, I had a lot of difficulty positioning myself. On the one hand, because there are few women in the field, and on the other hand, because I have a background in humanities. I don’t have the classic profile of a tech entrepreneur. 

So, my point would be more general regarding working in tech or AI: we need more women, but also more diverse backgrounds with other types of expertise to think about societal issues from the very beginning of the design process. 

At Novelis, International Women’s Rights Day is an opportunity for us to showcase our exemplary record of supporting women’s success in the workplace. We currently have a near 50% gender parity, which is not always common in the tech industry where women often struggle to make their mark.

In line with the women who inspire us daily, we would like to share interviews with female entrepreneurs and CEOs who share their experiences and recommendations for young girls who are the women of tomorrow in tech.

Entrepreneur, mother and committed woman, Nihal Djebli is the CEO of AUSIM, a leading association in the field of IT and digital in Morocco.
Trained in strategic marketing, Mrs. Djebli obtained a degree from the École Supérieure de Commerce (2001-2005) and a master’s degree from the École de Gestion de Toulouse (2005-2006). She completed her training with an Executive Certificate from Centrale Supelec in digital transformation.
Passionate about communication and event organization from a young age, her professional experience allowed her to acquire expertise in event organization before launching Chicadresse.ma, an innovative platform to disrupt the family event and wedding industry, which provides advice and information to young couples preparing for their wedding and matches them with service providers.
In 2019, Nihal Djebli joined AUSIM – the Association of Information System Users in Morocco, as CEO. The Association supports more than 100 member organizations (large groups, SMEs, administrations and offices) representing the primary, secondary and tertiary sectors in their implementation of digital transformation projects. AUSIM is celebrating its 30th anniversary this year in the service of the IT and digital sector in Morocco and organizes every two years one of the largest gatherings in Africa dedicated to the IT and digital sector, the AUSIM Congress with more than 1200 participants in October 2022.

Question 1: What did you want to do when you were a child and what do you do now? 

I certainly didn’t dream of running a professional association in IT and Digital or becoming an entrepreneur. What I mean is that no matter what our childhood dreams are, the path we choose as a starting point can change through the different stages of life. As a child, I received an education, teachings, concepts, and values that accompanied me and made me who I am today. I was influenced and inspired by women and men whom I have encountered in real or virtual life, and who have helped shape my personality. As a child, the women, but also the men who marked me, were those who distinguished themselves by their courage and leadership, but also by their kindness and big heart. Those who shone by also being at the service of others. 

I didn’t dream of a profession (doctor, architect, etc.) but rather of identifying with these free, strong, fighting, inspiring, courageous women who create value, generous with a big heart and a lot of love to give to help others. Have I succeeded in becoming that woman? I still trust the path and continue to be inspired to give the best version of myself. 

Question 2: What difficulties did you encounter to get where you are today? 

Looking back with a little wisdom, I would say that the difficulties we encounter are the most valuable lessons in life. The obstacles we face allow us to test our ability to reinvent ourselves, to renew ourselves, and to act by changing some parameters in life. Personally, I have always applied the “Reset, start over” approach. I encountered difficulties in my professional career, especially when I decided to start a business in 2012 in a field I did not master: digital. I learned a lot by experimenting and acting “learning by doing”, I also made some mistakes that cost me time, money, energy, some sacrifices… Do I regret it? Not at all! If I hadn’t gone through that, if I hadn’t made those mistakes, if I hadn’t experienced difficulties in my career, maybe I would never have been able to discover my ability to navigate in turbulent waters or to deal with the uncertain, I would not have developed my agility and resilience, my strength to bounce back and find solutions, and my faith and confidence in myself, my skills, and my values. 

Question 3 : What advice would you give to your younger self to achieve your dreams?

Never limit yourself! Our potential is limitless. Dare to discover yourself. Sometimes it happens naturally, but often life experiences force us to dig deeper to discover ourselves. Don’t be afraid, quite the opposite. You choose a career path and over time you realize that it’s not where your heart is! It’s never too late to change and discover what you love. 

Do you have a project that is important to you? Take a piece of paper and write the first lines… It’s always the first step that’s difficult. 

A successful life? Define what success means to you. What are the necessary ingredients for you to qualify your life as successful? Everyone has their own reference frame. And let us remember that life is filled with thorns and not just flowers, and sometimes we must accept getting stung to pick the flower. 

Question 4 : Another piece of advice for young girls who hesitate to pursue a career in science? 

Take the time to inform yourself about the opportunities offered by the ICT sectors. There are interesting employment prospects in IT and Digital fields to explore, and these sectors are not exclusively for men. ICT is a constantly evolving and fast-growing sector. Take the example of cybersecurity, which has become a major issue for companies and organizations, or of AI & Big Data, which are booming and offer many job opportunities. 

My advice: do your research before starting your studies and choose your field based on your interests and skills. Don’t necessarily choose the easy path, but rather where you know you will excel and give your best. And for those who want to launch a startup, surround yourself and choose mentoring and support programs to succeed in your first steps and beyond. There are several programs and structures that support young girls with project ideas and want to develop them. Another piece of advice, never stay alone! Open your address book, access networks and get the right information before making a career choice, studying, or embarking on an entrepreneurial adventure. 

I’ll end with this quote from Alvin Toffler who said, “The illiterate of the 21st century will not be those who cannot read or write, but those who cannot learn, unlearn, and relearn.” One last piece of advice: it’s never too late to start over. If you love technology and digital, go for it! Who said it’s too late? Never limit yourself! 

At Novelis, International Women’s Rights Day is an opportunity for us to showcase our exemplary record of supporting women’s success in the workplace. We currently have a near 50% gender parity, which is not always common in the tech industry where women often struggle to make their mark.

In line with the women who inspire us daily, we would like to share interviews with female entrepreneurs and CEOs who share their experiences and recommendations for young girls who are the women of tomorrow in tech.

Soraya Jaber is a French self-taught entrepreneur and CEO of Opuscope. A pioneer in augmented and virtual reality technologies, she has raised over 8 million euros in public and private funding for her company and established partnerships with renowned technology companies such as Microsoft, Meta, Google, and Magic Leap. She has been recognized as one of the most influential young entrepreneurs in France and is dedicated to promoting diversity and inclusion in the technology industry. Soraya is also a renowned speaker and active in the technology community, as well as a mentor for women in entrepreneurship and technology.

Question 1: What did you want to do when you were a child and what do you do now? 

When I was a child, there wasn’t a specific job that I wanted to do. On the contrary, I considered several different vocations. I had a hard time focusing and getting interested in just one job. I considered being a lawyer, a doctor, an actress… depending on my current passions, the people I met, the people who inspired me, and as a result, it could vary from week to week! 

When I started my studies, I took a scientific high school degree with an option in art history, and I was supposed to go into medicine. But finally, in my senior year, I decided to follow what I was most passionate about: history and art. This shows that I really function on feelings and passion. 

Finally, art history is quite different from what I do today because in 2023, I have been CEO and co-founder of Opuscope, a leading and pioneering company in immersive technologies (augmented reality, virtual reality) for 7 years now. As you can see, there has been a lot of evolution in what I wanted to do, and a lot of learning as well. I also took a gap year in 2016 to develop my student project, which was “how to reinvent access to art and history through new technologies,” which eventually became quite big, given where I am today! 

Question 2: What difficulties did you encounter to get where you are today? 

Throughout the entrepreneurial journey, we seized many opportunities with my co-founder. But yes, there were also difficulties as it is not an easy path and requires resilience. We operate in an extremely innovative sector, and when we started in 2016, we thought that by 2020, everyone would be equipped with a pair of smart glasses. We believed that there would be a need for a software platform to easily create content on these new platforms without requiring technical skills (such as a developer), targeting creative individuals. Developers represent barely 0.3% of the population, and unfortunately, even today, although there are more and more women, there is still an overwhelming majority of men in these fields. 

Our objective was, therefore, to promote more inclusivity in these new technologies by facilitating access to these seemingly complex tech tools. Every mission and task that I had to undertake within the company often represented something new for me because this co-created business is the first company in which I started working. We started from scratch, which allowed me not to incorporate any biases that I might have had in other companies. I would say that the biggest difficulty was at the beginning of the journey: lack of self-confidence, expertise, and knowledge. Also, investors had difficulty trusting a young woman entrepreneur who had never attended a business school. My luck was to have been very well surrounded from the beginning, and for me, that is the most essential thing when embarking on this type of adventure. 

Question 3: What advice would you give to your younger self to achieve your dreams?

What I would have liked to tell myself as a child is that the expression “curiosity killed the cat” is the opposite! In my opinion, one should be curious, open to the world, open to others, not be afraid to try things. The best time to start a business is when you are young and there are no stakes. Of course, I made mistakes in the past seven years, but the fact is that the company is still thriving, and our team is flourishing. 

My main advice is not to be afraid to start, to learn from people who have tried it, and who work in the core business that you also want to approach. When you are a child, what is important is to meet others, to continue to dream, to learn, and above all, to realize that learning does not stop at school: one must continually train because the world is constantly evolving. 

Question 4:  Another piece of advice for young girls who hesitate to pursue a career in science? 

Personally, having done a scientific BAC opened up all career paths for me. Proof of this is that I then went on to study art history. It all depends on our passions and what we want to do, but a scientific background gives us the choice and the opportunity to choose. Let’s also keep in mind that it is scientists, researchers, and entrepreneurs who build the world of tomorrow. Today’s new technologies provide many answers to the challenges of tomorrow. And it is absolutely essential that women, who represent just over half of the population, are as well represented as men in strategic positions in companies so that we can have an impact in decision-making. 

At Novelis, International Women’s Rights Day is an opportunity for us to showcase our exemplary record of supporting women’s success in the workplace. We currently have a near 50% gender parity, which is not always common in the tech industry where women often struggle to make their mark.

In line with the women who inspire us daily, we would like to share interviews with female entrepreneurs and CEOs who share their experiences and recommendations for young girls who are the women of tomorrow in tech.

Angélique Gérard, a graduate of INSEAD, is President of the Stem Academy and Special Advisor to the ILIAD Group, of which she was director of the Free subscriber relationship for 22 years, and president of 8 subsidiaries, as well as a member of the executive committee of Iliad (holding), of which she is a founding executive. A conference speaker and business angel very involved in following the entrepreneurs she supports (Top 5 French female business angels 2017, Les Échos and Forbes in 2018), she joined the supervisory board of Europcar in 2015 and then that of Babilou in 2017, the leading group of corporate and community daycares in France. Awarded numerous times for her initiatives (“Customer Experience Palm 2015”, “Director Customer Palm 2015”, “Hope Leadership Award 2015”, “Digital Woman of the Year 2016”), she was noticed by the Choiseul Institute, which awarded her first place in the “100 French economy leaders under 40” ranking in 2015, succeeding Emmanuel MACRON at the top of the list. In October 2017, she was awarded the knight’s insignia of the National Order of Merit. Angélique GÉRARD is the author of “For the end of sexism – Feminism in the post #MeToo era” and “Customer experience, a story of emotions” published by Eyrolles. In 2020, Angélique GERARD was ranked among the 40 most inspiring French women.

Question 1: What did you want to do when you were a child and what do you do today? 

It’s not very common, but the introverted and wise little girl I was wanted to be a soldier, to join the army. I wanted to enlist early, at the age of 16, but my parents opposed it. Nevertheless, I clung to my dreams, but my life changed when I turned 18 due to the responsibilities I had to suddenly take on, when, following a family tragedy, I became the breadwinner. 

I took on significant responsibilities at a very young age, and it’s probably this tough and unexpected start in the professional world that somehow programmed me to always move forward without looking back. I explain this in my book “Pour la fin du sexisme” (For the end of sexism), work that naturally became a central and fundamental value for me – a true reference point. 

It wasn’t written that I would pursue a career as a leader. I landed by chance in the telecommunications sector. The field of customer relations, on the other hand, is not the result of chance, I am convinced of that. My sensitivity and the importance of humanizing each relationship with sincerity opened the doors to a career that was obvious to me. 

Even if I keep in a corner of my mind – and my heart – the desire to embark on a course at the Institut des Hautes Études de Défense Nationale, or to join the École de Guerre, this dream is behind me. 

Being a military woman or a leader. The common thread between my childhood dreams and my experience as a leader is perhaps materialized by the challenge to be taken up about a culture that confines women in a pattern without freedom or perspective. An ambition-challenge that I unconsciously took up. Being where patriarchal culture doesn’t expect me to be. Taking responsibility for paving the way for new aspirations and offering the freedom to break down barriers related to social origins or gender. 

Question 2: What difficulties have you encountered to get where you are today? 

I couldn’t achieve that childhood dream, and I plunged into work. As a woman, despite this work binge, I didn’t expect to have to overperform so much and always must prove that I could take on a new responsibility. 

The relationship between femininity and the body plays an important role in the company, especially when the environment is culturally masculine. I had to assert myself in a male-dominated techno universe where I was considered a collaborator who could be made to work as needed. Like most women, I have been the victim of sexist behavior, from the most insidious to the most unabashed. Inexcusable and traumatic situations, but I used them as a springboard to elevate myself – a bit like when we welcome an unpleasant emotion to transform it into positive energy – to draw strength to nourish my ambitions and my fulfillment. 

Pushed repeatedly to my limits, I accelerated my learning, both in terms of skills and understanding of our culture. This context ultimately encouraged me to assert myself and stand out more quickly. 

Another obstacle, now well known, also got in my way: the impostor syndrome. As an autodidact, I was trusted from the beginning of my career. But over the years, victories, and experiences, I felt this inexplicable need to materialize a legitimacy that had been granted to me by default. 

A feeling of impostor syndrome that grew with the responsibilities I was given. As a woman, marked by an education riddled with injunctions to prove our worth, I may have unconsciously wished to anticipate future attacks. INSEAD, the Multimedia Institute, HEC… I decided to invest in my education to alleviate a discomfort that stems directly from what our culture conveys. 

Studies show that women borrow less than men, but when they do, they invest twice as much in education. I believe that investing in education remains an excellent way to progress and broaden our range of possibilities, and each completed course opens the door to a new field rich in learning opportunities… 

Question 3: What advice would you give to your younger self to achieve your dreams?

The world of work is undergoing a complete transformation, and the future is barely palpable. Ethicist in AI, psydesigner, egoteller, tele-surgeon… 85% of the jobs in 2030 do not exist yet. I teach my children to know themselves as best they can, and to take the time to listen to themselves above all else. I avoid as much as possible the pressures that have plagued past generations. 

Curiosity and critical thinking will be their best weapons to forge a path towards what I consider essential: personal fulfillment and balance, in connection with human beings and in respect of the environment. 

When one knows oneself perfectly, it is easier to go towards others and explore the personal and professional paths that attract us naturally. I advocate for an open mind to always evolve with respect for oneself and others. And thus, find the balance that suits us and the path that is most aligned with our values. 

Question 4: Another piece of advice for young girls who hesitate to pursue a career in science? 

Once again, without any pressure, if the world of science appeals to them, I simply invite them to inform themselves. Joining women’s circles to exchange ideas, meet new people, find mentors, and more. Take time for sisterhood, but also for introspection, feelings. Recognize (or re-recognize) their strengths, weaknesses, explore their values, develop their ambitions, discover their role models. And have a good understanding of the context and situation of women who work in fields culturally dominated by men, in order to never be a victim but rather an example, prepare to transmit. Know that they represent a real asset. By integrating a male-dominated environment, they bring an indispensable key to any organization: the diversity necessary for performance. According to the OECD, projects led by mixed teams have a wider impact and result in greater economic gains. Be prepared to be an actor of change and aware that the science and technology field is evolving, undergoing a transition towards more balance and transparency. 

Science and technology jobs are indeed promising and well-paying, and we desperately need more women in this sector because we cannot continue to develop tools that exclude half of the planet. 

There is an urgent need to change our culture to no longer exclude women from these careers. And the benefits are numerous. If the underrepresentation of women in these fields hinders their chances of pursuing a professional career, it also weakens the vitality of the French economy. Indeed, this imbalance represents a considerable loss in terms of growth, innovation, diversity of content, creativity, and attractiveness of the country.