Lea's path to TechWolf

Lea's transition from studying Bioinformatics in Lebanon to being an integral part of the Skill Enablement team at TechWolf in Ghent showcases the transformative journey of embracing new (career) paths.

How did your journey with TechWolf begin?

Born in Lebanon, I pursued a Bachelor’s in Bioinformatics, at the intersection of technology and life sciences. This led me to Paris for a Master’s in Informatics, Mathematics & Genomics, followed by an AI specialisation at KU Leuven. My internship and thesis at GSK as an AI Software Engineer served as the stepping stones into the practical world of AI.

I first met TechWolf at the VTK Job Fair in Leuven, introducing me to the uncharted territory of Natural language processing (NLP) in HR technology. I knew relatively early on that I wanted to join TechWolf. When I visited the Ghent office during my first interview and met everyone, getting a sense of the culture and the vibe convinced me already. Everything about it was screaming that this was a great place to work.

What were your early days at TechWolf like?

I joined TechWolf during a time when the Engineering teams were undergoing significant changes. Despite the adjustments, everyone was super friendly and welcoming and offered support wherever I needed it. In my role within the Skill Enablement team, I get to do a mix of software development, data analysis and AI, with a particular focus on taxonomy generation. I really enjoy working on taxonomy and it’s impressive to see how far we’ve come in terms of growth already since I joined.

Could you describe a typical day for you at the office?

Each day is similar and unique in its own way. My mornings begin with organising my daily tasks and reviewing progress on our JIRA board. Then we have our daily stand-up meeting, which makes sure everyone has an overview and status updates of what’s going on in the team. My tasks alternate between sprint-based research for enhancing our taxonomy generation processes and direct client project engagements. I also like to go on a walk with colleagues a few times a week, especially when it’s sunny outside. It’s nice to talk to colleagues and get a sense of what’s happening across the different teams. When I feel stuck, it also helps me to get some fresh air and attack the task afterwards with a different perspective. Another fun ritual we have every time a client project is finished is getting a celebratory piece of dessert for the whole team to enjoy.

What has been your biggest highlight so far?

The TechWolf ski trip to Austria was really fun. It was my first but certainly not last time skiing. It was a great opportunity to bond with colleagues outside of work as well.

What advice would you offer to aspiring professionals?

Don't be afraid to venture into the unknown in your career. Reflecting on my journey, stepping into new domains has been incredibly rewarding. It's about more than just embracing risk; it's about being a part of setting new standards and actively shaping the future. It’s really empowering being part of a leading company’s journey and actively contributing to its growth. Feeling apprehensive is part of the process, the things you initially worry about are often the most exciting challenges that end up driving you forward. In the end, it’s all about perspective!