Isabelle Hugues ITD Full-Stack Developer from Switzerland
While the fifth edition of the Gender Scan survey paints a bleak picture of the place of women in technology in France and Europe, Isabelle Hugues, Developer at IT-Development (ITD), tells us how she builds parallels between this technological world and her Swiss roots. Common values that she appreciates to find again.
Like my whole family, I am of Swiss origin and more particularly from the town of Broc in the Canton of Fribourg. Therefore, I speak fluent French, Swiss-German, Spanish, Portuguese and English. I worked in Geneva for more than 13 years as a saleswoman in the paint department of a famous DIY store. Then, at the age of 35, I decided to embark on a professional transition.
It was a real crush. While trying to find my way, I discovered the digital sector. I found a passion for this field. I wanted a job that was constantly evolving. A place that allows me to be an actor and master of future technologies. A profession that recruits and pushes my limits. This choice was carefully considered and I don’t regret it! Unfortunately, Swiss schools are still too expensive. So, I decided to move to France. In 2018, I started new studies at IT-Akademy, a French school renowned for its work-study training for IT professionals.
After a year of training in the Pays de Gex (French region), I decided to continue my studies on Lyon’s campus. Because above all, I wanted a company that would force me to question myself and develop my skills. I asked ITD exactly this. It met my expectations and much more! Its international dimension, its advanced technologies (JAVA, DevOps, etc.), the ultra-friendly and community-oriented atmosphere, … everything was there to please me. And, on top of that, its location on the periphery of Lyon offers me a magnificent view of Mont Blanc and beautiful green spaces. Everything to remind me of my native Switzerland and to feel at home.
Since September 2019, I have been one of the company’s female developers. My role is to create software, on the front and back-office side. I realize, test, deploy and maintain executable processes in a BPM engine, or even EIP-based integrations. I work in an extremely technical and predominantly male world. But it doesn’t scare me, because I love it!
I know that there are many stereotypes in digital professions. Nevertheless, I have never felt uncomfortable in this position. Quite the contrary! I have always been welcomed with open arms. Unlike my past experiences, I have never been put in difficulty as a woman in a man’s world. At no time, I face discrimination.
As a Swiss expatriate in France, I missed some cultural values. But, unexpectedly, I found them again when I joined the IT world. Whether it is self-help, sharing, open-mindedness, respect, empathy… they are deeply shared by the community. And, to my great pleasure, they have strengthened my career choice.
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