Everyone finds their own path based on the opportunities that present themselves, their desires, their challenges, their social environment. Mine is no exception, as I went from being an engineer in computer science and robotics to being an independent executive assistant in Lyon today. Even before high school, things can get complicated: choosing the right educational path, vocational school, professional training, general high school… And it only gets more complex as the years go by. At the age of 17, you have to choose the direction of your studies – and possibly for the next 50 years… Oh, wait.
I remember that evening when my parents had organized a gathering. My sister had to choose her direction after high school. She didn’t know how to go about it, nor did she know the fields that really interested her. When the guests arrived, we were all in the living room, and my mother asked everyone, “Who among you is currently working in the same field you studied for? Of course, you can guess the answer now. Around our tables, only one guest answered yes, out of the dozen present.
My journey is like this conversation.
It’s true that in a few lines, my journey may seem confusing. How did I go from being a computer engineer to an independent executive assistant in Lyon, after all?
The beginning and the studies
From my perspective, the story is quite simple and even logical. During my studies, I explore the technical field. I am also drawn to project management, literature, philosophy, and new technologies. Additionally, I enjoy traveling and aspire to speak other languages fluently.
The 2-years computing diploma
So, I steer towards a technical degree first through the DUT (University Technology Diploma). I travel to enhance my language skills and the international approach to my profession. I take advantage of my first Erasmus experience in Ireland, during which I will work for Amazon in the seller service and for the CIT Laboratory at the Technological University of Cork.
The apprenticeship
Upon my return to France, I continued my journey by attending IMERIR in Perpignan. A school that allowed me to develop my IT skills by applying them to robotics. I complete this part of my studies through an internship at Wordline in Lyon, the European leader in data management at the time. In 2014, during my final year, I propose to go to Finland for my second Erasmus opportunity and study the Atos data centers in Helsinki during my trip. I will split my time between Atos and Haamk, allowing me to contribute to large European projects and work for the school on company projects related to the Internet of Things in sports.
The Robots
During this experience I implemented two major projects: HiWR (Hiwr is Worldline’s Robot) and Jules. HiWR is a robot designed for Human Resources to assist them at job fairs, attract candidates, and interpret information from their resumes for integration into specific databases. Jules is a larger robot. It is designed for kindergartens (and primary schools) to assist teachers and focus on games and understanding children’s emotions during reading activities.
I will graduate as the top student of my class, among other achievements, thanks to my thesis, which I will present in collaboration and in English with the robotic company Cybedroïd’s robot. It will be a world-first, witnessed by recognized business leaders in the field.
HoCaRo [Needabot]
Following my graduation, I will launch my first company in 2016, within the Cybedroïd group precisely. HoCaRo will be established to support healthcare staff in institutions (nursing homes, hospitals, etc.). This will involve creating a company with a capital of €200,000 and raising €550,000 in public funds within the first month. We will even initiate the raising of €1.7 million in European funds with the company Pal Robotics in 2018.
During these two years, I will have the opportunity to build a team of 6 people, including technicians, project managers, and researchers. It will also be a chance to establish partnerships in Marne, at the national and international levels. In 2017, I will attend CES in Las Vegas with my first robot. My team will participate in VivaTech 2018 as guests of La Poste with our robots, and more. However, the highlight will be the creation of a robot, CaBot, designed for the secure and autonomous delivery of medications and documents in hospital corridors. We will dedicate one year to its development and integration into the hallways of the hospital in Châlons-en-Champagne.
In 2018, despite the success of its project, the company comes to a halt, and HoCaRo can no longer progress. The company is liquidated in July. CaBot will be implemented in hospitals in Madrid and Barcelona by Pal Robotics during the COVID-19 pandemic to support healthcare staff.
LP Factory.
Despite this change in direction, I continue my entrepreneurial journey. Spurred on by requests from contacts made during the HoCaRo adventure, I start a micro-business to help entrepreneurs build their businesses. Out of personal interest and determination, I also offer assistance with digital marketing, community management, and website creation.
In 2020, LP Factory was born, first through its name and visual representation in April 2020, and officially as a SASU (Simplified Joint Stock Company) in September 2020. In the same month, I joined the incubator team of NEOMA BS as a service provider, taking on the role of startup manager and head of the Reims incubator. I then participated in the creation of more than 30 companies and supported their leaders. Among the most notable assignments was my work for ArtechDrone, a Reims based drone specialist, where I contributed to structuring the company and increasing its valuation from €6,000 to €1 million.
After Reims, Lyon, and the role of independent executive assistant/right-hand person…
In 2022, a new chapter unfolds and I decide to leave the Reims region to settle in Lyon. After 7 years in Reims, I leave my local network to establish myself in Lyon. Despite my continued proximity to business leaders, I decided not to rebuild LP Factory as I had done in Reims. I’d always stressed my role as “right hand”. In September, I decided to take a job in Lyon as an executive assistant at Awitech, a company specializing in industrial air treatment. Despite my interest in the field, I didn’t find my place and decided to leave the company in May 2023.
I will dedicate the next few months to continuing my education. Two courses will leave a lasting impression on me, the first on the role of an executive assistant by April Stallworth on LinkedIn Learning and the second on self-confidence by MentorShow. These courses will allow me to define my goals and, more importantly, confirm my decision to become an independent Executive Assistant in Lyon.
From being an employee to becoming an Independent executive assistant in Lyon…
In December 2023, my project becomes a reality. The website is launched – one never loses their foundations – and I officially start in January. I will sign two contracts by the last week of January.
- A contract as an executive assistant within a company in Bron, where I work on an international level.
- A contract as an office manager in a Lyon-based startup, working within a team of 13 people.
My journey to becoming an Independent executive assistant
You can also find it on my LinkedIn profile.
Some years studying
2009: Obtained my Literary Baccalaureate
2012: Obtained my University Technology Diploma (DUT) in Computer Science
2015: Obtained my Master’s degree in Computer Project Management & Robotics – IMERIR
Professionaly
2008 – 2015: Waitress in the restaurant industry
2011: Experience at Amazon as a Seller Relationship Manager for France/Ireland & in the CIT (Cork Institute of Technology) laboratory during my stay in Ireland
2012 – 2015: Apprentice at Wordline as a Computer & Robotics Engineer in the R&D team
2015: Experience at Atos Finland in international project management for networks and data centers during my stay in Finland
2016 – 2018: Founded HoCaRo – Home Care Robotics in Châlons-en-Champagne to address personnel needs in institutions
2018 – 2023: Founded LP Factory and worked on assisting business leaders in their projects and digital marketing
Lyon
2022 – 2023: Executive Assistant for Awitech in Lyon
2023: Waitress and Barmaid in the restaurant industry
2022 – present: Manager at Dernier Carat, a company dedicated to event IT services
2023 – present: Independent Executive Assistant in Lyon
From Ingeneer to Independent executive assistant
“It’s as simple as that!” I believe this phrase truly characterizes me. I enjoy experimenting, yes, but things are often very interconnected. That is why, I pursued engineering studies in computer science internationally to become an executive assistant in Lyon. And I don’t plan on stopping there. I believe I can bring a lot to the business leaders I support, whether by providing assistance or offering new solutions to develop their companies. I am constantly learning to bring them even better, more organized, more structured, and more open-minded support! Speaking of which… it’s time for my Spanish lesson.
