From Medical Aspirations to Engineering Success
Oumaima Boumlik's journey from Morocco to France is a testament to resilience and determination. Initially aspiring to enter the medical field, she faced two setbacks in the medical entrance exams back home, which led her to pivot towards engineering. In France, Oumaima discovered a curriculum in data science, a field she had longed to study but had not encountered in her previous educational path. Dedicating her evenings and weekends to self-study, she carved a new direction for her career aspirations.
In 2020, Oumaima diligently worked on enhancing her skills through technical tests and interviews to secure her first internship in France. However, the COVID-19 pandemic stymied recruitment efforts, leading to the cancellation of some internships and leaving her applications unanswered. She also experienced subtle biases related to her hijab, which added complexity to her journey. Eventually, she received an internship offer from the startup Verteego, specializing in machine learning—a branch of artificial intelligence. Interestingly, she only discovered this good news a week later, as the email had been buried among countless rejection notices. This episode is captured in a personal account she shared on Medium in July 2025.
Oumaima’s quest for a suitable opportunity began long before she entered the workforce. After completing her baccalaureate in Morocco, she attempted to enter medical school twice, and after these unsuccessful attempts, she transitioned to preparatory classes, ultimately enrolling in the École nationale supérieure des mines in Rabat. In 2019, she moved to France to pursue a dual degree at IMT Lille Douai, now known as IMT Nord Europe, with a focus on data science and artificial intelligence. Despite her enthusiasm, she encountered challenges as the courses offered did not align with the specialization highlighted during recruitment. After struggling with a programming module in Pharo, she took matters into her own hands, building her own training program through online courses, certifications, practical projects, and an impressive portfolio. Following her internship at Verteego, she finally gained the approval to join the specialization she had been pursuing.
Acknowledged for Excellence in Internships
For her final internship, Oumaima joined the SEB Group, where she worked on forecasting spare parts needs. On June 15, 2022, at the Foundation Mines-Télécom awards ceremony, she emerged victorious, taking home two trophies: the second prize from the jury for the best internships and the public's favorite award, having gathered over 2,000 votes out of approximately 4,000. This recognition was a significant milestone, paving the way for her entry into a 24-month international program at SEB. In an interview with HelloWork in 2023, she elaborated on her subsequent roles in France, Germany, and Spain, where she notably forecasted sales for two product lines in Barcelona.
In a later piece published in February 2025, she shared her newfound focus on data governance and her commitment to mentoring students and recent graduates, imparting valuable lessons drawn from her own challenges and experiences. Oumaima Boumlik exemplifies the spirit of perseverance and innovation, inspiring many as she navigates her professional path in France.
As reported by bladi.net.
