Why a career in tech?

It seems to me that we move towards tech because we like to understand the world around us.

During my school years, I loved maths and science for their logic and power, just as much as I loved literature and philosophy for their ability to make us think about humanity and society.

What guided me toward engineering studies was the desire to be involved in the physical reality of things and in the power of human ingenuity: I am as excited by an ecological inventory as I am by a visit to a nuclear power plant reactor building.

Your professional experience?

After completing a preparatory class, I entered the Mines Albi with the desire to work in sectors that are essential to our society: environment and energy.

I spent six months in Denmark with two goals in mind: to further my studies in specific environmental fields such as ecotoxicology, and to discover Scandinavia, which I believed embodied the ideal of a society where the environment is at the heart of political concerns.

After my studies, I joined EDF, first in environmental engineering in the nuclear sector, then at the head of hydropower department, and finally in a hydropower production unit, EDF Hydro Sud-Ouest.

Your first experience with technology?

My first professional experience in tech that confirmed my choices: an internship at Veolia at a waste sorting center. I enjoyed being on site, understanding the industrial process and interacting with the waste sorting operatives.

My first professional experience in tech that shaped me: my position as an environmental engineer in the nuclear industry at EDF. I discovered the demanding and complex nature of this industry, the pursuit of rigor and attention to detail in analysis… as well as exceptional colleagues!

What do you do today, and why?

Balancing climate change mitigation and adaptation!

The southwestern region of France is particularly vulnerable to the effects of climate change, especially the significant decline in water resources. For nearly 30 years, rivers have been replenished in the summer by releasing water from EDF’s hydropower plants to maintain water supplies for drinking, irrigation, and other uses. One of my tasks is to coordinate this low-water replenishment operation and represent EDF in water management bodies. These summer releases from hydroelectric dams are significant, as the strength of hydropower is to produce electricity in winter when consumption peaks. Our role is to preserve the balance between maintaining carbon-free, controllable electricity production and helping territories adapt to climate change.

Another side of my work involves assessing the environmental impact of hydropower and working with local stakeholders to identify potential mitigation measures.

Your strengths in this role?

My technical background, good interpersonal skills, negotiating and teaching skills, an ability to think both technically and strategically, and an appetite for managing crisis situations as well as long-term projects.

Past challenges, failures and disappointments?

Among my past challenges: switching to hydropower sector after several years in nuclear industry. It’s still the energy sector, but the practices are so different that it’s like changing careers.

Among my failures, a very formative job that was finally difficult on a human level.

Best moments, successes you’re proud of?

As strange as it may seem after a 15-years career: my graduation! I was so proud to be an engineer, to have climbed the social scale and to have access to exciting careers.

In my professional life, it’s clearly collective successes such as the completion of long-term projects or negotiations. Another source of pride is having sensitized 200 colleagues to climate issues through the Climate Fresk.

People who helped, influenced -or made your life difficult?

Teachers who encouraged me to find my way. Coming from a non-scientific family, the path was not clearly marked out for me.

Scientists such as Valérie Masson-Delmotte and Jean-Marc Jancovici, whom I saw speaking at conferences very early on and who inspired me a lot.

Amazing EDF’s colleagues who acted as mentors.

And there were also the skeptics who thought that working in the environmental field was a dead end or that it was a “low-level” science.

Your hopes and future challenges?

Limiting the impact of climate change on my own scale

What do you do when you don’t work?

Outside of my family life, I enjoy sports, outdoor/mountain activities, and theater.

Your heroes -from History or fiction?

The concept of heroes doesn’t really mean a lot to me because of embellishments in the stories. But many people inspire me: first and foremost, women in my family who were able to choose their own life without societal constraints in the name of freedom; more broadly, women with extraordinary life stories, such as those in Pénélope Bagieu’s comic books “Les culottées” or Titiou Lecoq’s book “Les grandes oubliées de l’Histoire” (The Great Forgotten Women of History).

A saying or proverb you like in particular?

I am particularly good at forgetting nice sayings but the one that gives me courage is: “imperfect action is better than perfect inaction.”

A book to take with you on a desert island?

A magical book that would change every day, because I don’t like reading again the same book. And if I had to start with one, it would definitely be a long novel like Ken Follett’s.

A message to young female professionals?

Don’t be afraid to pursue a career in science. You can find a wide variety of jobs depending on your interests.

Learn from each failure.

Don’t hesitate to ask others for help: mutual support is a strength.