Linde Van de Sompel: Project Engineer
The 28-year-old Linde Van de Sompel works as a Project Engineer at Actemium. In this role, she oversees projects from start to finish and serves as the point of contact for the customer. She analyzes technical challenges faced by food companies and translates them into solutions that are both functionally and technically sound. In doing so, she involves colleagues with the right expertise and follows up on how those solutions are put into practice.
“Even without a background in automation, VINCI Energies gave me the confidence to grow in the profession step by step.”
- Name: Linde Van de Sompel
- Age: 28
- Studies: Master’s degree in Bioscience Engineering: Food Science and Nutrition (UGent)
- Function: Project Engineer
- Hobbies: Sports, piano and traveling
You joined Actemium as a bioengineer without a background in automation. When did that technical step start to feel right?
Linde: After a year and a half in a Research & Development role, I realized I wanted to explore the technical side more. The role of Automation Engineer seemed interesting to me, but as a bioengineer, it was not an obvious step, as I honestly knew very little about automation. I also applied at another company, but they were looking for someone with a specific automation degree. At Actemium, they believed I could learn the trade on the job. That gave me confidence. I started as a Junior Automation Engineer, a role in which I programmed almost full-time and later also helped commission installations at customer sites. That is how I got to know automation from the inside out. I learned a lot through self-study, but especially thanks to the guidance and knowledge-sharing within the team. I was never on my own. The fact that there was already a female colleague at Actemium who, as a bioengineer, had found her way into automation gave me extra confidence. It proved that my background was not unusual here, but could be just as valuable.
What gives you the most energy today in your role as Project Engineer?
Linde: As the point of contact for the customer, I find it fascinating to analyze technical questions from food companies and find the right solution for them. It is often a puzzle: what is the exact question, which approach fits, and what expertise do we need? That is also the strength of VINCI Energies. We can involve colleagues with different areas of expertise, which allows us to do more for the customer and continue to discover different aspects of the profession ourselves. After my initial period as a programmer, I realized that in addition to the technical work, I also wanted more customer contact. I missed that social aspect a bit. When I mentioned this to my manager, he listened right away. He made room for me to join more customer meetings and grow further in that direction. Today, it is especially that combination that gives me satisfaction: contributing technically, but also engaging in conversation with the customer and arriving at a solution together.
What is it like for you to work as a woman in an industry where women are still less visible?
Linde: At first, I was a bit nervous about that. When I started, my team consisted entirely of men. During the selection process, I had the chance to talk to a female colleague and ask her questions. That put me at ease. Within my team, I have never experienced any prejudice. Once you get to know the people, you quickly feel at ease. Still, I believe a better mix is important. Different perspectives and communication styles make a team more open, especially when projects are complex and different people have to work together. When interacting with customers, I do sometimes notice that people do not always expect to see a woman in this role. But over time, they get to know me and see what I can do. That is why visibility is so important. The more women in technical roles become visible, the sooner other women will think: maybe this is a place for me too. To my younger self, I would say: doubt yourself less and dare to show what you can do. And to women who may be doubting themselves today: give it a try. Do not let yourself be put off because something seems like a “male-dominated sector.” If it interests you, give yourself that chance.
