“It is important to have long-term internships to follow a project and build real experience.”
Nice Premium: Introduce us to the company where you work and your role in it?
Julien Viano: The company I work for is Norsys, a computer services company. We work on software development for major clients, our main client being the Caisse Nationale Assurance Maladie (Social Security). Norsys employs over 150 people spread across 3 cities: Lille, Paris, and Lyon, where I work as a research engineer. I am also responsible for client communication to analyze their expectations and meet their needs.
NP: How long have you been in this position?
JV: I have been in this position for 1 year, but I joined the company 3 years ago. I started as a Development Engineer.
NP: What has been your professional path since you finished school?
JV: I was unemployed for about ten months, during which I took the opportunity to develop management software for amateur sports. Afterwards, I moved to Lyon to join Norsys in 2004.
NP: Have you always wanted to do this job, or was it the result of opportunities?
JV: I’ve always wanted to become an engineer in IT, which is why I specialized in IT towards the end of my studies. This profession is very interesting because we have the opportunity to solve technical issues, one of the key benefits of this career. I came to Lyon due to Norsys’ offer; it’s worth noting that the market in the French Riviera was saturated in 2003.
NP: What is your educational background, and what degree(s) have you obtained?
JV: My educational path is as follows: Bac S / DEUG in Math and Computer Science at the Faculty of Sciences / Master’s in Math and Computer Science / Advanced Engineering School ESSI in Sophia Antipolis. (Bac +5)
NP: What is the reputation of your former school among professionals in your field?
JV: ESSI is a regional school recognized on the Côte d’Azur. I don’t have a very objective perspective because in Lyon it is not well-known.
NP: What advice would you give to students considering a career in the IT sector?
JV: I would advise them to opt for a work-study program, as combining theory and practical experience is crucial for entering the market competitively. It is important to have long-term internships (at least one year) to follow a project and build real experience.
NP: In your opinion, is it better to start with SMEs or large corporations?
JV: An SME without hesitation, to progress and take on responsibilities more quickly… It’s certainly paid less than in a multinational, but continuing education outside of the academic path is important.
NP: Why did you choose to work at the national level?
JV: I stayed in France for personal reasons, but for a great career, it would have been wise to spend at least 2 years working internationally. It’s unparalleled on a resume, international experience is highly valued by companies in my sector. If I had to move abroad, I would have chosen London, Tokyo, or Silicon Valley.
NP: What are your current career development prospects and professional aspirations?
JV: I would like to move towards project management and team management. I hope to achieve this in the short term, but I must say that the conditions at my company are ideal for growth.
NP: What are the specificities of the IT sector?
JV: Following the Y2K bug, the sector hired a lot, but the 2002 crisis changed the situation. Today the market is picking up and has experienced good growth over the past two years. In France, Paris and the technology hub of Sophia Antipolis are promising for this sector.
For more info on Norsys: https://www.norsys.fr/
