Caledonians elsewhere: Thomas Boquet, Canada, country of all his successes

Developer by passion, economist thanks to his studies, researcher of profession, Thomas multiplies the functions and competences. At 32, the New Caledonian has managed to make his mark thanks to meetings, his seriousness but also and especially because he chose to study and then work at Canada.In high school, this scientist in the soul "Has no idea what he wants to do. " While he chose the S branch in Première, his entourage convinces him to redouble to go to ES. "I also worked in a pizzeria and my teachers told me that I would not keep up the pace in Terminale. " At the same time, Thomas begins to program only. "It was out of curiosity at first and then I took a liking to it. " Bachelor in 2005, the Vietnamese half-breed started a degree in eco-management at the UNC. "I did that by default. " In the second year, a friend tells him about student partnerships between New Caledonia and Canada. Interested in this program, eager to find his way, the young man flies to Montreal in 2008 to finish a degree in economics and maths.

Canadian life and the student system are a revelation for the New Caledonian. "For the first time in my life, I enjoyed going to class and learning. And the city is a great cultural mix. " A year and a half after his arrival, he gets his Bachelor of Science. The young man feels so good at university that he continues after his bachelor's degree to do six months of research on a project concerning the choice of Canadian households on energy-efficient appliances. An uplifting experience. "People trust you very quickly and you are – well – paid. " Decided not to stop in this way, the student integrates HEC Montréal to do a master's degree. If theeconomy remains his main subject, Thomas learns marketing before changing to discover business intelligence. "Statistics actually. " He did not completely close the back to the university since he continues in parallel to be a research assistant then teaching assistant. "I participated in the development of an econometrics manual (statistics). I took care of the TP by giving courses and correcting the exams. " Graduated in 2013 from HEC, the scientist decides to continue in research by enrolling in a PhD whose field is operational research based on statistics. It aims to work with CHT Nouméa on improving the functioning of the hospital group. But his project falls apart and after some questions and a happy meeting, Thomas decides to join in 2015 a video game company, Game loft as data scientist (a person whose job is to translate business problems into mathematical / statistical problems).

Ten months later, when the company is bought and the Caledonian wants to leave, luck smiles again. "A former colleague offered me to take his place in a company that was involved in providing the anti-accident systems used in the manufacture of chlorine. " Officiant always like data scientist, the young man begins to make his place when once again, a great opportunity presents itself to him. "At a conference on artificial intelligence, I met one of the founders of Element AI, a start-up specializing in this field. We discussed, well hooked and early 2017, I joined them. " This time Thomas is applied research scientist. At the head of a small team, he does research on distributed computing to improve the algorithms of their products. Happy in his work, the one who has always loved doing "A lot of different things" is guided by his meetings and the great opportunities offered by Canada, proof of his exemplary success.

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