Interview with Florence

Florence, can you tell us about your background?

"After training in business at school, I worked in custom/small series metal fabrication and in the special machinery sector. These were highly technical environments, but the products were so much more tangible! Everything started from a drawing and transformed into structures weighing from one hundred kilos to 100 tons of steel and mechanical parts."

Apart from the obvious, what’s the biggest change for you since you joined Seisquare?

"For one, there’s the language. When expert geoscientists talk to software developers, conversations can quickly turn into a mix of geoscientific jargon and programming language. The vocabulary is so different that it often feels like a foreign language.

Previously, when I didn’t understand something, the explanation was usually practical and involved demonstrations or drawings. Now, explanations have layers upon layers, involving high-level mathematics and formulas. While I don’t always grasp the finer details, I’m grateful for my coworkers' patience. No matter how basic my question may seem, they take the time to explain. Communication is key here—they bridge complex concepts into something I can understand."

Is there something else that surprised you?

"What I find impressive is the relentless pursuit of improvement among the developers and researchers. It’s like watching artists at work—they’re rarely satisfied with their first draft. Constantly on the lookout for new algorithms and more efficient methods, they aim for solutions that work under every possible condition. It’s a dedication you don’t often hear about in tech.

There’s a common misconception that fields like software development or geostatistics are purely analytical or formulaic. The truth is, there’s a creative process at play. Designing algorithms that adapt to new scenarios, or imagining ways to visualize complex data, involves artistry. It may not involve paintbrushes, but it’s about crafting solutions that are both elegant and functional."

Is there something in common with building machines and metal structures?

"Like building steel structures, our work impacts the lives and jobs of users. The developers and geostatisticians don’t just build tools; they are eager to see them used and improved based on real-world feedback. There’s a refreshing openness to criticism. They embrace the challenge of refining the software based on user experience.

It's a beautiful reminder that innovation is a journey, not a destination—a journey of constant iteration, feedback, and growth."

Any last words?

"Collaborating with developers, geoscientists, and geostatisticians is a fascinating mix of technical brilliance, creativity, and pursuit of perfection. It’s not always easy to understand, but it’s inspiring to watch. It’s a great example of how diverse skill sets, combined with communication and understanding, can create something to be proud of."