Why a career in tech?
I always liked science and technique. I have always been fascinated by mathematics, physics, and scientific discoveries. Naturally I turned to scientific studies and to an industrial and technical career.
Your professional experience?
After a scientific graduation, I went to a general engineering school in Arts et Métiers. I continued with a master thesis in Swedish KTH University in Stockholm, about the additive manufacturing of stamping tools. I continued in the additive manufacturing field for Renault Group, that hired me to develop the activity in manufacturing and in our vehicles.
Your first experience with technology?
I started working for Renault Group to develop the use of additive manufacturing to produce locally manufacturing tools and spare parts in plants. It allowed me to develop a network of users, to deploy trainings, use cases and good practices.
What do you do today, and why?
Today I am an additive manufacturing process specialist at Renault Group's process engineering department, to develop the 3D printing of vehicle serial parts. Those technologies allow to produce complex geometries, that cannot be manufactured by other processes, and to produce efficiently without any mold or tooling, parts for limited edition, accessories, and customization. It opens new prospects for our clients with a broad field of material and process developments.
Your strengths in this role?
I have been working in additive manufacturing for several years, therefore I closely followed the technical progress, I bonded with key actors in this market field, I pushed more and more use cases and I conducted change in the organizations to grow the opportunities offered by the technology.
Past challenges, failures and disappointments?
The company and industrial field are highly different from the academic field or from how I imagined it. It is often driven by profit making which can lead to disillusion, disappointment, or frustrations. Hopefully it is balanced by meaning at work, our contribution in nice projects and the positive things we get from it and that we nurture.
Best moments, successes you’re proud of?
When I started, I have been trusted to fully organize an internal international 3D printing event, for which I prepared the agenda, the events, the guests, the speeches, the planning… It was a first challenge I am very proud of, from which I learned a lot and that was very useful for further internal and external important automotive additive manufacturing events I managed.
I am also responsible of a student apprenticeship who now also enjoys additive manufacturing technologies and who wants to continue in this field for his career. I am very happy to have passed down this passion.
People who helped, influenced -or made your life difficult?
Human contacts in a company are not always easy or kind. Personal interests, mistrust, prejudice, many brutal or unfair behavior that often got me tears to shed or hurt me. Fortunately, there are also great persons to meet, trustful ones, inspiring ones and managers that protected me and nurtured me to grow and evolve. In any case, it is important to always take several steps back, to keep a cold blood and to grow the best with the bests and allies.
Your hopes and future challenges?
I work to keep growing the additive manufacturing activity in the Group, to develop use cases, skills, means… Technical progress in this field is still very frequent which makes it all the more exciting and motivating. There are still so many things to do and to develop.
What do you do when you don’t work?
I am a runner and a triathlete addicted to sport. I love to exert and to surpass myself.
My next big sport challenges are my first Iron Man and to run the marathon under 3 hours.
Your heroes -from History or fiction?
My nickname is Mulan, a character I like, who plays with images and looks to thrive and to become her true self. She is fulfilling beyond the role they try to impose on her, through fight, cunning and bravery.
A saying or proverb you like in particular?
I never give up, I hold on and I persevere: “ganbatte” in Japanese.
A book to take with you on a desert island?
I like my classics, the integral of Rougon-Macquart will be the perfect partner.
A message to young female professionals?
Believe in and trust yourself. Do not rely on anyone else, only on yourself. Be as kind and indulgent towards yourself as you are with others. Finally, always focus and grow the positive.
