About me
My Beginnings in Programming
In 2018, I entered high school and decided to get computer and digital sciences as an option. This introduction to programming was my first contact with the world of technology. There, I learned the basics of Python and C. We created small projects like mathematical representations and a simple game.
The following year I started creating small projects, such as a Sudoku solver and a crypographic decoder. I also learned about algorithms, data structures and networks.
Deep Dive into the Low Levels
After high school, I enrolled in the Saint-Étienne Initial IT Training Cycle (CITISE) at Télécom Saint-Étienne, where I truly began to understand what lies beneath the user interfaces and high-level abstractions. This intensive preparatory program gave me a solid foundation in both theoretical and practical aspects of computing and engineering.
Theoretical Foundations
Throughout the program, I strengthened my understanding of the mathematics behind computer science. These concepts were deeply intertwined with the physics I studied which later helped me grasp the physical principles behind electronic components and signal processing.
Electronics, Embedded Systems and Networks
One of the most important parts of CITISE was diving into electronics, embedded programming and networks. I learned how to work with microcontrollers, write low-level code in C, and manipulate sensors to build interactive systems.
Becoming a DevOps Engineer
In 2022, I graduated from CITISE and joined Polytech Montpellier to pursue an Engineering degree with a specialization in Development and Operations (DO). This 3-year program combines academic learning with real-world experience through an apprenticeship, allowing me to work in a company for half of my time while studying.
Learning by Doing
The DO program is strongly project-based. From the start, I was immersed in teams, covering the entire DevOps lifecycle: from design, development, and testing, to integration, deployment, monitoring, scaling, and evolution of applications — both on-premises and in the cloud.
Immersed in Industry
As an apprentice, I alternated between two weeks in the company and two weeks at school, applying what I learned in a real DevOps team. This rhythm helps me stay aligned with the evolving needs of the industry, taking part in both short-term tasks and long-term strategic projects.
Professional Exposure and Events
Throughout the program, I had opportunities to attend conferences such as KubeCon Europe in London, as well as national tech events in Paris, Montpellier and beyond.
I also took part in hackathons.
International Experience
In 2025, I had the incredible opportunity to work as an intern at the University of Southern Denmark (SDU). This experience allowed me to immerse myself in a different culture, learn from a new team, and apply my skills in an international context. I worked on an AI focused project, where I collaborated with colleagues from diverse backgrounds, to develop a new LLM (Large Language Model) application that could be used to detect breast cancer from medical images and reports.
Event Organization
In 2024–2025, I had the opportunity to lead the organization of the PolyCloud Montpellier as the president of the student association behind the event. It was an incredibly rewarding experience where I worked closely with my classmates to bring together students, professionals, and cloud computing enthusiasts for a full day of knowledge sharing and networking.
From the ground up, we planned the entire event — inviting speakers from various companies and universities, securing sponsors, and handling all logistical aspects. This experience allowed me to put my project management and organizational skills into practice while building meaningful connections within the tech and cloud ecosystem.
Find more about the event on the PolyCloud Montpellier website.
I’m Sarah Théoulle, and I thank you for reading this.