Name: Guillaume Assogba
Position: Data Engineer Consultant & Data Ops Faction Lead
Worked at Orange Business since: October 2017
Based: Brussels, Belgium

Can you tell us a bit about yourself and how you first came in contact with Orange Business?
I encountered Orange Business (formerly Business & Decision) through LinkedIn after graduating from university, where I studied Engineering in France and Computer Science in Wales. I realized I had a keen interest in exploring the world of Data Engineering and Big Data. Despite the lack of a background in the field, the company valued my willingness to learn. Although I did not join the full Academy schedule, I was fortunate to undergo training, eventually joining the company as a Data Engineering Consultant. 6 years later, I am still here and it has been a great journey!

You have had quite a career journey since joining 6 years ago, can you tell us a bit about your development?
I have received great support for my growth through various missions and training opportunities. I started as a Junior Data Engineer Consultant. Later I expressed my interest in supporting others' development, leading to the creation of a new position as Data Academy Lead 2 years ago. In this role, I oversaw the development and organization of our Data Academy, including roadmap, planning, and management. I also represented the company at external events, such as engaging with students at universities. This position opened opportunities for me leading to my current role as Data Ops and Data Engineering Faction Lead which I took on in September 2023. My journey with the company showcases the multitude of opportunities available and is one of the key reasons I have stayed.

Having a split position as a Data Engineer Consultant & Data Ops Faction Lead, can you tell us about what you do and what your responsibilities are?
Approximately 80% of my time is devoted to working as a Data Engineer Consultant for clients, where I also serve as a Tech Lead. Responsibilities include overseeing project admission, supporting colleagues in their work, addressing traditional workflows, and managing tasks like data ingestion, cleaning of data etc. touching a bit of everything in terms of data integration. Currently I work with 6 other Data Engineers from Orange Business on a project for a pharmaceutical company, focusing on the digitalization of laboratory results for scientists by managing ingestion in real-time and enrichment of data. We use technologies such as Spark streaming, Scala or Kafka, and are working on transitioning from an on-prem Hadoop legacy system to a new Azure based system with stack of Azure Databricks, Azure Data Factory, Azure Devops, etc.

The remaining 20% of my time is dedicated to my role as Data Ops Faction Lead. My responsibilities include ensuring mission satisfaction, finding the right mission for the right person based on their skills and focusing on the development of our consultants. I am also involved in researching new technologies, see how we can leverage key concepts, continue education within the technologies and facilitate knowledge sharing within the team.

What do you enjoy the most about your position?
One of the main aspects I appreciate is the opportunity to work with new technologies on diverse missions. Being a consultant challenges me to step outside my comfort zone constantly, as each new

project may involve unfamiliar technologies. The dynamic nature of my position prevents me from getting bored, pushes me to continuously learn and stay updated on the latest trends and technologies.

What is the latest training you have taken?
Upon taking on the Data Academy Lead position, I underwent training in soft skills, completed a leadership course, and had sessions with a personal coach to prepare me to take on the new responsibility. On the technical side, I expressed a particular interest in Kafka and Kubernetes, underwent training, and subsequently shared my knowledge with colleagues internally. In addition, I would say I continuously learn through interactions with colleagues, new missions, and staying updated.

What do you personally enjoy the most about working at Orange Business, the Digital Services business line?
One of the aspects I value about working at Orange Business is the quality of life it provides. Being French and having most of my family there, the ability to work remotely at times has been a significant benefit, allowing me to maintain a strong connection with my family. Additionally, the company supported me on taking an 8-month sabbatical leave during which I explored South America. The support I received, which made it possible, showcases the company’s commitment to employee wellbeing.

Another aspect I appreciate is how approachable everyone is. The willingness to help and support each other, coupled with an accessible management team open to ideas and suggestions fosters a positive working environment. The creation of my position as Data Academy Lead, based on the interest I expressed in coaching and supporting others development, is a testament to the company´s encouragement of new ideas. This sense of support encourages a culture of continuous improvement.