Aurélie Jean, expert interview

Femmes du Numérique:As a woman who has succeeded in the digital sector, can you tell us about your career path and the job you do? How did this vocation come about? Did you encounter any difficulties in finding your bearings, or on the contrary, did you receive support? Later on, did you encounter any gender-related difficulties in your professional development? What’s your next step?

Aurélie Jean:I trained as a digital mechanic and obtained a PhD in materials science, on the numerical and mathematical modeling of the mechanical behavior and morphology, at different scales, of soft materials. After nearly 7 years of numerical study of human materials (mainly the heart and brain), at Pennsylvania State University (USA, 2009-2011) and then at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology(MIT)(USA, 2011-2016), I embarked on a fantastic adventure as a seniorsoftware developer atBloomberg-NYC. I’ve always had a strong attraction to maths and mechanics, and in particular numerical mechanics, although I must admit that I’m a bit at ease with this.

It was through numerical mechanics that I started learning to code at the age of 21. A little over 10 years later, after 2 years of close collaboration with two of my colleagues at MIT, we developed our own computer program for numerically solving problems in the mechanics of materials. This code is currently used by a US Army research laboratory. When I started developing algorithms and computer programs, there were very few contemporary female role models… 15 years on, things have unfortunately not changed much, with one difference: girls are encouraged to code! In particular, thanks to magnificent communication campaigns on coding, its impact on our societies and the opportunities surrounding it. That said, I think young girls and women can still encounter difficulties, not least because of the sometimes negative, and often false, image of the coder.

We’re often afraid of what we don’t know. Likewise, these environments are still very male-dominated and it’s still difficult to find a place for yourself as a woman, but things are changing thanks in part to the support of men and female role models who show up and speak out! My career path demonstrates the variety of disciplines involved in algorithmics and computer programming. I’ve worked in elastomers, then in medicine, I’ve done some consulting, and now I’m applying my skills to a field that’s still unknown to me – market finance. My next step is to giveback (give it back asthe Americans say), I want to be for other young girls that female role model to whom I haven’t had the chance to be exposed during my career.

I want to help and support young girls and women who want to code, and much more. I want to talk about my work, what I do on a daily basis, and tell people about my life as a programmer, so as to change people’s minds about this discipline. We always talk badly about things we know little or nothing about, so I want to democratize coding. I think that in the future, everyone will have a clear idea of the ins and outs of coding, and will even know how to code in the same way as speaking a second language – my dream!

FDN:In your opinion, what are the qualities needed to work – not to say shine – in this field and, more specifically, in your profession?

AJ: Many years of study!(laughs...) On a more serious note, I’ve always thought that the job I did was paradoxically perfect for women, because of their intrinsic qualities… I say “paradoxically” because it’s an environment in which they’re not expected. Mathematics and algorithms, by virtue of their rigor and precision, are disciplines that I think appeal tothe qualities of women who are detail-oriented, structured and disciplined.

I feel the same way about digital technology and computer programming, which are fields that rely heavily on the development of language, syntax and logical, organized structure. Having said that, there are also qualities that I believe are fundamental to my profession, and far removed from pure technical skills. I’m thinking of the patience and dedication needed to develop programming skills that require years of practice, training that starts right out of school.

It’s also continuous training, and endurance is crucial to making a good numericist. Languages evolve, as do computer platforms, and logic will also evolve in the future, perhaps moving from binary logic to quantum logic. These changes are often accompanied by profound modifications to computer language and algorithms.

FDN:What role models and success stories have inspired you along the way?

AJ :Unfortunately, I wasn’t lucky enough to have any female role models in computer programming, but certainly in mathematics, which remains an ancient discipline. I’m thinking of my female professors at the Université Pierre et Marie Curie, who inspired me to do a PhD thesis in order to reach the highest possible level and have a mind like theirs! (laughter..) In general, I have many role models in the sciences but not only; women but also men whom I admire for their success but even more for their way of looking at life, their journey, and the way they consider the other individuals on their path. Many of them are unaware that they are role models for me, each with their own particular reason…

Some of them are also my mentors. They listen to me, advise me and inform me about the challenges they have faced and which they recognize in mine. I also think of my feminist grandfather, who has always inspired me through his fight for women to reduce and ideally eliminate gender discrimination in professional careers. I owe a great deal to my grandparents who raised me and encouraged me to do whatever I wanted in my studies or career choices without any gender bias.

I also have great historical figures in mind (I don’t dare give you a list for fear of forgetting some!), women and men who have, each in their own way, enabled women to win their freedoms and rights in areas long destined only for men… Thank you!

Femmes du Numérique:Today, women account for 28% of the workforce in digital companies in France. What do you think accounts for this figure? How can we increase it? You live in the United States, is the situation the same?

AJ:I don’t know the exact breakdown of this 28%, but I imagine that if we consider only women working in engineering-type fields or equivalent, this number decreases. Women working in marketing and digital communications are also included, and rightly so. The fact that the number of women working in digital technology is still too low is the result of multiple and sometimes complex phenomena. First and foremost, education: the image of women’s place in our society differs profoundly according to family culture.

Once again, I think I’ve been privileged by the extremely open cultural environment in which I grew up. That’s why I love talking to parents about my career and profession. Some parents have even written to thank me for convincing them to talk to their daughters about code! Some of the media also propagate a still very superficial image of women limited to their physical image… when there’s nothing to stop women being attractive and brilliant! This figure is similar to that of the US, I think; the US were the first to launch these magnificent communication campaigns for young girls on STEM(Sciences Technology, Engineering and Mathematics), with a strong involvement of the government but also of companies(Google, Bloomberg, Facebook…), and their action continues to grow stronger. Last year, I spoke to middle-school girls in Kansas for theCodeBreakers associationaboutSTEM and coding.

I was saddened to learn that these girls were dropping out of STEM in high school because they felt boys didn’t like it! In short, we need to be role models for them, talking to them and showing them the field of possibilities… because it’s a big one! Finally, for those who train in STEM, there are still too many of them leaving their technical careers relatively early. Companies need to understand these phenomena and create welcoming, non-discriminatory environments so that women can navigate at their ease.

How can we increase this number? I’m fighting for two solutions: female role models and mentoring, both of which are already well developed in the US and are coming to France. In France, I’ve noticed the presence ofmentor-datings ontech conferences for women, with men too – I love it! Women need to learn to help each other more… I think we have a lot to learn from American women, who are great supports for each other!

FDN:What advice can you offer to encourage women of generations Z and K to enter the digital world?

AJ:Digital is the future! I’m thinking in particular of computer programming, which will be the foundation of future innovations. We women have a role to play in this field, shaping future technologies in our own image! I’m also thinking of all the opportunities surrounding computer coding: among other things, an ever-growing number of jobs in increasingly varied fields, competitive salaries, and great intellectual stimulation.

By taking advantage of these opportunities, women can combine financial and intellectual freedom, giving them greater independence both materially and in their choices and reflections. And let’s not forget: the code encourages entrepreneurship and liberal activities! If they wish, women can work from home, organize themselves as they see fit, and become their own boss. Many consulting and business creation opportunities exist through this discipline!

FDN:To conclude, when you spontaneously hear the word digital, what comes to mind?

AJ:Great Exciting Empowered Kick-ass (GEEK) Woman!(laughs…)