How would you describe this professional experience in Australia?
“Challenging to say the least! I was hired as a data scientist but my duties have evolved and I am now also working in software development within a research team that designs a maritime simulation platform for drones. I collaborate with our local research laboratory, IRL Crossing and participated in the launch of three doctoral theses carried out under joint supervision with the universities of Adelaide, the CNRS and IMT Atlantique. This assignment was extremely rewarding as it enabled me to interact with researchers and young PhD students from the international scientific community and also really encouraged me to broaden my project management skills.”
Can you tell us more about your interest in working as a data scientist ?
I appreciate the multidisciplinary nature of the job, which combines mathematical and algorithmic expertise with strong analytical abilities. Data itself is silent, so you have to make sense of it by making it speak! Understanding the work environment in practical terms is also essential and on a ship this means apprehending the physical variables, the expectations of trade specialists, conditions onboard and more.
Can you tell us of your career path so far?
In terms of my studies, I pursued a preparatory course in Humanities and Social sciences after my baccalauréat, followed by a master’s degree in Data Science at the Toulouse School of Economics. My background may seem unconventional, but I believe this multidisciplinary training is sometimes an advantage and one that I put to good use here in Australia when drafting funding applications. If I had one piece of advice, it would be to embrace different work environments early on in your career. As long as you’re curious and eager to learn, these experiences can help you better define your professional goals.
Why did you want to volunteer internationally in a company (VIE)?
I wanted to go abroad after my studies and the VIE program was the easiest way to achieve that goal. Australia is about as far as you can get from France and so the challenge is to work with other sites in the group despite the time difference. I was fortunate to have spent six months on the site of Ollioules, before coming here, allowing me to create strong ties with the teams before leaving. There are also the cultural differences that are so enriching, as Australians have a different approach to work than we do.
What are your plans on returning to France?
I want to continue developing my technical skills in data science over the next few years, as it’s a rapidly evolving sector.
Legend : Maritime Test Tank facility at Flinders University