Gaëlle is a Junior Digital Marketer based in Wavre, Belgium, who has worked in the Marketing and Communications team for 3 years.
What is your favourite aspect of your job?
The part I love the most about my job is the creativity it involves. It is something I have always missed in my past jobs and, to be honest, I kind of gave up hope of ever being able to be creative in any role. So this opportunity changed a lot for me.
I was stuck for a long time in jobs where I could not express myself or be creative. Here, in the MCC team, I have finally found a role where my personality is valued as well as my ideas and initiatives.
What attracted you to a career in the space sector?
I love learning new things. I am a very curious person and have always been. But I never thought about working in the space sector before, simply because I did not know anything about it. From the outside, the space sector seems rather hermetic and closed. Not knowing much about it, I could not even imagine being a part of it.
In the end what attracted me was the fact that I knew nothing about it. I knew it was going to be a challenge and that I would learn something every day. And it was true! It is an environment that is constantly changing and evolving. I do not think I will be bored anytime soon!
This is really the first time that I have felt so much mutual help and support. Not only within my team, but also between the teams. The employees here are passionate, and everyone gives their best to achieve perfection together. That is what makes us so trustworthy for our clients.
Would you recommend a career in the space and security sectors to others?
For someone who needs to be challenged, and who is curious and interested in technological progress, this is great! I would definitely recommend it.
People should consider it much more and not think that experience in the industry or a technical degree is automatically required. I think these are preconceived ideas that people tend to have about the space and security sectors.
I think we tend to forget that you do not have to be an engineer or an astronaut to be part of this environment. As in many fields, you just have to be motivated and interested. Then you have to realise that there are many different roles that are not directly related to space.
Do you have any tips for people trying to get jobs in our sectors, especially the younger generation?
Go for it!
Here we have so many totally different roles open. There is something for everyone!
What do you like to do in your spare time?
I am part of a non-governmental organization (NGO) whose aim is to accelerate the transition toward a society producing zero plastic waste. I am glad that my job here still gives me the opportunity to develop myself outside of my role in the company. This was something that was important to me and gives me the balance I need in my work life.
Also, in my spare time I have been taking improvisation classes for a few years. It allows me to disconnect from daily pressure and also distract myself. For me, theatre is like sport is for others – it is my way of letting off steam.
Tell us something unusual about yourself
Being very curious by nature, I have travelled a lot. When I was 12 years old, I developed a passion for travel after living in California for 2 years. As soon as I finished high school, I never stopped travelling during my studies.
I have travelled all over Europe, in South America and in Asia. I lived for 2 years in the USA, 6 months in China, 3 months in Taiwan and 1 year in Australia. Because of this, I find myself comfortable with the values here as it is a people-oriented company, present in 9 countries and covering many different nationalities. The multicultural atmosphere is something I find really stimulating.