Artefact

After having already completed a number of internships in data analysis and data science during her time at engineering school, Camille Ferrero made the decision to do her final internship – as a consultant – at Artefact.&nbsp;It was during this time that she realised that she wanted to gain more technical experience. So, she interviewed for a data engineer position at the company.Now, after six months, Camille is proud that her first job is as a junior data engineer at Artefact and can’t wait to see what the future holds!<h3>Could you provide us with some insight into your role as a data engineer at Artefact?</h3>The role of a data engineer at Artefact is challenging since it is twofold. We are doing the work of data engineers and software engineers, at the same time. Therefore, no two days, or projects, are the same.Moreover, as consultants, we have to stay on top of everything that's happening in the world of tech.So, as a junior data engineer, it's great that the company makes it possible for us to learn about data engineering and data science from talented individuals who are truly experts in their fields.&nbsp;<h3>What do you like most about working at Artefact?</h3>What I like most about working at Artefact is the amount of autonomy that we all have, as well as the level of trust that the company has in its employees.&nbsp;Everyone gets to choose the schedule that best suits their work rhythm. Therefore, I get to decide if I want to work remotely or from the office and at what time I head out.&nbsp;Also, since this is my first job, I think that it's pretty cool that I get to work with people who are also quite young. It really makes it easy for me to identify with them and look up to them as role models.&nbsp;Overall, it's a great place to work thanks to the work-life balance, which is actually pretty rare for a consulting company.&nbsp;Moreover, everyone is so respectful that it makes it such a great environment for me to work in.To be honest, every morning when I wake up, I'm happy to get ready to head to the office and work.<h3>What hard and/or soft skills do you think are required to be successful in this role?</h3>It truly depends on one’s level of seniority. As a junior, I’m always learning and evolving. I’m so thankful that the team at Artefact is always encouraging me and ready to support me. It’s a judgement-free environment.With that said, when it comes to hard skills, I do think that it's necessary to know how to code.&nbsp;In terms of soft skills, you have to be a good team player and have good communication skills.&nbsp;Moreover, since Artefact is a consulting firm, it's important to understand the world of business and be able to genuinely connect with clients.&nbsp;Lastly, you need to be able to adapt and learn quickly, as well as be open to learning new things.<h3>Are there any cool things happening at Artefact that you are happy about?</h3>The data engineering team, along with the data scientists team, have set up Cafe Tech, which is a series of informal, in-person discussions, taking place two to three days per week at lunchtime.&nbsp;During this time, data engineers, data scientists and other members of the technical team explain terms and topics related to their area of expertise to other consultants to equip them with the knowledge required to respond to client needs.Personally, I think that this is a great way to ensure that everyone at the company stays informed about what’s going on, not only in the tech department but also in the industry as a whole.Furthermore, I’m pleased to see that the data engineering chapter is actively working towards increasing the number of women on the team since there are so few of us.Everyone seems to be very serious about making sure that the few women on the team feel valued.&nbsp;As a woman in tech, it’s not always easy to feel like you belong or deserve to be there when there are a lot more men than women working in your department.So, I truly appreciate the effort.<h3>Are there any goals that you're working towards achieving within the next five years?</h3>My first goal is to improve my technical skills so that I could become an even better data engineer.&nbsp;In maybe five or six years, I would like to do less coding and actually start managing technical teams since I think that it would be a good opportunity for me to link both the business and technical aspects of my work together.&nbsp;<h3>What career advice would you like to give to young women and girls who are interested in working in engineering?</h3>My first piece of advice would be to never doubt yourself or your abilities. Admittedly, it's sometimes hard to feel credible when working in an environment where there are so few women. This is why I think that it's important to have a role model and/or find someone that you can identify with.&nbsp;In my case, I was never able to fully identify or connect with other people during my internships since there were few women working at these companies. This is why I struggled to find someone who could possibly serve as a role model to me and guide me throughout my career.These experiences actually led me to start thinking about whether this was the right career path for me. That was definitely not a good way of dealing with the situation!&nbsp;My second piece of advice is to bear in mind that what you learn at school is very different from what is going on in the workplace.&nbsp;So, even if you may not feel passionate about coding or the tech programme at your school, don’t think for one second that you won’t be able to work in tech later on.Lastly, it’s important to keep an open mind. Also, don’t hesitate to do internships and talk to people working in the industry so that you will be able to find out more about all of the different types of jobs which exist in the industry.

"What you learn at school is very different from what is going on in the workplace"

Julien Londeix