Roberta Voulon: “I like solving problems ”
When Roberta Voulon decided to take the plunge, as an autodidact, in learning a new computer development language, she often found herself isolated, with no colleagues with whom to share her progress or difficulties. She set out to find a community, a gathering place for developers. But to no avail. So she decided to create them, and founded Les Pitonneux.
Roberta Voulon speaks four languages and has always been at ease with computers. She reconciles the two by working in localization engineering: a specialization that enables software to be used in different countries, with different languages and particular keyboards. What attracts her: “I like solving problems.
After several years and different positions in France and Montreal, she feels a growing frustration. While she aspires to stay in technology, she’s pushed into organizational work and her job turns into a nightmare. She leaves, but decides to stay in technology, and learns a new programming language. She then realized that it’s hard to find peers and build a network when you’re a developer. She decided to do something about it, and founded Les Pitonneux: a non-profit organization and talent incubator that helps self-taught programmers.
The organization hosts Code & Café activities for people wishing to meet other developers. It holds monthly “show and tell” events to enable members to present their projects. It organizes 8-week workshops, called Lab8, which give participants a toolbox to help them set up their own project or participate in someone else’s project.
What’s special about Les Pitonneux is that it’s open to everyone, regardless of language, professional background or level of experience. If you’re interested in programming, you’re welcome. “Diversity is what makes Les Pitonneux a success,” believes Roberta Voulon.
And is setting up a business at the age of 40 a problem? “Age is more of an advantage, because we know each other better. Experience helps you to help others. Without my experience, I would never have created Les Pitonneux,” she explains.
Her advice to those just starting out: “When you’re building a network, ask yourself how you can help others. If you only talk about your business, you don’t realize whether your project can help the community. Don’t make speeches to present your project. Do the opposite. Go out and see people, see how you can help them. That’s going to be your business.”
Today, Les Pitonneux has almost 3,000 members. Proof that Roberta has filled a gap.
Les Pitonneux
A non-profit organization and talent incubator that helps self-taught programmers. Its mission is to bridge the gap between the skills on offer and those in demand in the Canadian job market, by becoming more open to diversity. More than 3,000 members.
