My interest in STEM was nurtured from a young age by my grandfather. He always encouraged me to explain what I had learned at school by creating mock exams for him, which I would then correct on a board. This playful yet educational activity not only deepened my understanding of various subjects but also sparked a genuine curiosity and love for learning. This early encouragement grew stronger as I delved deeper into physics and mathematics in high school, eventually leading me to pursue a career in engineering.

My first role model was my grandfather, who was also an engineer. He pursued his career in Paris as an engineer in airplanes. His dedication to engineering and his passion for problem-solving greatly influenced me.

Diversity at Melexis goes beyond accepting different ethnicities, orientations, and social classes; it is also about respecting each other’s opinions on any subject. In our team meetings, we see that no matter how many years of experience one has, their background, or their position, everyone’s voice is heard. This culture of inclusion is strongly promoted by our team lead, who ensures that all team members are encouraged to share their ideas and perspectives, fostering an environment where innovation thrives.

I am most proud of having the opportunity to lead the ‘Stelaxis’ project, which focuses on developing a robotic 1D joint. In my role, I perform simulations and contribute to the measurements, ensuring that our designs are both theoretically sound and practically viable. Identifying the right colleagues to assist with specific tasks is a key part of my role, leveraging their expertise to drive the project forward. Additionally, I promote our project externally by presenting at conferences and engaging with the broader engineering communities.

I also believe that women in corporate environments can and do help each other grow. Women have been remarkably successful in leading and innovating while maintaining a very human approach toward their coworkers. This supportive and collaborative attitude fosters a positive and productive work environment. Let’s embody that and break down the stereotype that says otherwise.

My core values include integrity, innovation, and inclusivity. I believe in the importance of ethical practices, continuous learning, and creating an environment where diverse perspectives are valued and respected.

I aim to contribute to significant breakthroughs in sensor technology and work towards leadership roles where I can influence positive changes in the industry.

I see myself in a senior leadership position within an innovative company, in the coming years. I plan to pursue an MBA, which I believe will significantly influence my career. Ultimately, I hope to mentor the next generation of engineers, especially encouraging more women to enter and thrive in STEM fields.

I started studying STEM subjects when I was in high school, of all the school subject’s computer science was the only one I liked and studied willingly. So, after I graduated from high school, I wanted to continue my learning in a more hands-on school where there were a lot of practical subjects in addition to theoretical study, where there was a chance to get a closer look at what would be the working world.

My role model who inspired and encouraged me to follow the path I took was my high school teacher, whom I still respect for her brilliance. I was also able to meet many people during these years in the company from whom I could take examples.

At present, I am not aware of any similar initiatives organized within the company.

In just three years with the company, I have been able to grow a lot, both in the business and personal spheres. This company has given me the opportunity to face many challenges that have always taught me new things. In addition to learning a trade, I have been able to specialize in the role of service owner of business applications with their responsibilities, I have learned how to deal with critical situations and issues by dealing with high-level people.

The field of IT is all about exploring based on skills and what you like. One can range in all kinds of subjects in this field, managing to find the right place for everyone.

Integrity – Honesty / Sincerity – Open-mindedness – Growth.

I see the opportunity to take on daily new challenges, small or big; the primary goal is to learn and grow professionally and personally step by step.

I honestly don’t know, I’m aiming toward continuous improvement.

Like many girls, I faced obstacles and discouraging remarks, saying that I couldn’t do it and that it wasn’t the right field for me. At first, I wasn’t particularly interested in science, especially maths. Over time, however, my perspective changed, and I could not see myself following a literary path. In high school, my technology teacher told me that studying medicine wasn’t for me, pointing out that I was ignoring an area in which I excelled. He encouraged me, even going so far as to talk to my parents. From that moment on, I knew that engineering was for me, and I followed that path with determination.

My inspiration has been and always will be my mother. From an early age I saw her working hard at an important job. Her independence and strength of character shaped the person I am today. I wouldn’t be the person I am without her. She inspired me from the very beginning and continues to do so every day.

When I arrived, there was already a Women’s Rights Day webinar showcasing women’s careers in the company, which was an excellent initiative. I was the second woman to join the digital team since Starchip was founded, which was something new for them. We have been working to achieve 50/50 parity in the team and we have succeeded. There are now 3 women and 3 men and I’m very proud of that. Achieving parity is a challenge because the work has to start much earlier. It’s difficult to recruit women, not because there aren’t enough candidates, but because few women are interested in these fields at school. Even at engineering school, only one tenth of the students were women.

What’s more, in terms of diversity, our team of forty people is very international, with members from Venezuela, Senegal, Brazil, Italy, Indonesia, Morocco and me from Tunisia.

I’m proud to have made my parents proud and to have risen to the occasion. For me, That is my greatest achievement.

For me, there’s only one golden rule: never let anyone tell you what you can or can’t do. If you believe in your ability to achieve something, don’t pay attention to other people’s opinions, just go for it.

I’d say seriousness, because in this field you have to be rigorous. Dedication is also crucial, because this job requires total commitment to your work. And finally, thoroughness, because the smallest mistake can have far-reaching consequences.

New Project, new challenge.

In a few years’ time, I’d like to have deepened my expertise in my field and acquired a wide range of additional skills. I also plan to manage a larger team, with a higher proportion of female graduates.