Victoire MASSIEUX

General information

Can you introduce yourself quickly? (Name, First name, Speciality)

Victoire Massieux, Engineering Physics specialization

What has been your career path since high school and how has the EIDD training benefited you?

In my final year of high school, I passed the national entrance exam for the Army Medical School. I entered the school and studied military medicine for a year. However, I decided to change my academic path and to take a PCSI and then PSI preparatory course. I entered the EIDD after two years of CPGE and chose the Engineering Physics specialization. I went to Switzerland to study applied and quantum physics at the University of Geneva during my first year of the master’s program. Then, I decided to do an internship in medical physics at the University Hospital of Lausanne (Switzerland). Thanks to the specialized training in optics of the Engineering Physics specialization, I did my final year internship at Nikon in Zurich (Switzerland) as a software specialist on confocal microscopes. After graduation, I was hired as an IT project manager at Hewlett-Packard EMEA Headquarters in Geneva and I changed my job in 2021 to become an IT consultant in data management strategy.

Mobility

What made you want to go on mobility during your studies? And in what context did you go on a mobility trip?

I thought it was a shame not to dare to go abroad, knowing that the agreements for study and internship mobility at Université Paris Cité  are very numerous and in very good universities. English is essential for professional purposes and going abroad on one’s CV opens doors and opportunities that are not negligible.

I did an internship and a semester in Switzerland.

How did you find out about this opportunity?

When I chose the EIDD after my CPGE, I asked about the partnerships and opportunities at Université Paris Cité.

Can you quickly tell us about this experience and what it brought you?

A lot of stress at the beginning of the experience, but a real richness both professionally and socially. I met so many people with different backgrounds at the University of Geneva, different cultures and a different way of learning. I think that going abroad takes us out of our habits and teaches us to adapt every day.

Were the notions you learned at EIDD useful for the success of your internship/semester/year?

Yes, excellent for my microscopy internship. Optics and programming were essential to the success of the internship.

How far in advance did you take to complete the necessary steps?

About 6 months for the study mobility and 2 months for the internship abroad. Thank you to Mrs. Mammeri for her involvement during the procedures and during my mobility, which were quick and easy.

What was the average cost of your mobility (excluding financial aid)? Did you have access to financial aid? If yes, how did you hear about these aids?

Switzerland being very expensive, I worked on the side of my studies in Geneva. The average cost for the semester and the internship of the first year of the master’s degree is about 8000 euros.

I got the SEMP grant (ex-Erasmus in Switzerland) automatically when I registered.

What advice would you give to a young EIDD student wishing to go on a mobility program?

You have to go! It’s a chance to have great partnerships in great cities! Having experience on your CV is essential these days!

Do you have a funny anecdote to share with us?

There are many … Certainly, when a professor of astrophysics in Geneva took us into her office to get the exam subjects and by surprise … two snakes were living freely in her office. Harmless but crawling next to our feet during her explanations. At the time, I was scared to death, but in retrospect, she took the stress out of the exam immediately! A really good technique!

Professional integration

Did you have any difficulties in finding your first job?

No, one month after the end of my internship.

Can you describe a typical day at work? If possible, can you give us your average weekly workload?

8:30 a.m. behind my computer, then calls all day long, lots of reports to hand in and the day ends around 6 or 6:30 p.m. My average working week is 45 hours.

What do you like most about your job? What do you like the least?

Positive aspects : Always doing different tasks depending on the mandate and being close to the clients.

Is there a difference between the idea you had of the job and the image you have today?

No, absolutely not, my bosses were very transparent during the interviews.

What can you tell us about the parity in your company?

I am one of the only women in IT consulting in my circle.

In your opinion, what qualities and skills are essential to the practice of your profession? A personality trait that you consider essential?

Essential! Especially English since I work internationally.

Autonomous, responsible and adaptable.

What advice would you give to a young EIDD student?

Go abroad, take advantage of the 3 years of school because after that the vacations are over.