Orinoxian women portrait - Who is Assia BELKACEM ?

Châteaubriant, March 2019

Can you introduce yourself ?

My name is Assisa Belkacem, I am 26 years old and I work as a Business Developer for ORINOX in DACH countries [Germany (D) Austria (A) Switzerland (CH)]

How did you join ORINOX?

I’ve been hired in August 2017 by ORINOX as a V.I.E (Volunteer for International Experience). In November 2018, I started my second year of VIE.

Why did you choose to work at ORINOX?

I chose to work for ORINOX because the job offer interested me a lot. Because I graduated a Master’s degree in International Trade my first goal was to find a job abroad. The V.I.E (Volunteer for International Experience) proposed by ORINOX allows me to develop not only my technical and commercial skills but also my language skills.

Can you explain us what you are doing as Business Developer?

A Business Developer develops the activity of a company in a new market or territory. Therefore the main job consists of studying and analysing the target market, identifying potential customers and competitors and determining the best way to sell our services and products. The best practice is to always be active, to have good communication skills and to always be connected.

What motivates you on a daily basis?

I always want to succeed and because we have objectives to achieve, there is nothing better than achieving goals or even surpass them. 

What is your personal motto?

On daily basis, I have to face a lot of refusals and a lot of defeats, but I just need one success and I forget all the difficulty. So I would say that my motto is "Après l'effort, le réconfort" means that after effort we will always enjoy a well-deserved rest. So I never give up and remind myself to always be optimistic.

Which women in History have inspired you the most, and why?

The past, present and future will always show that women are often the starting point of many things (projects, ideas, discoveries, companies, etc.).
As an Arab and Muslim woman, I would like to take this opportunity to quote a woman who has inspired me a lot because she always fought against prejudices that many people have about my culture.
Fatima el Fihriya, founder of the first university in the world, El Qaraouyyyîn University, which is still active today. I have read a lot about this woman and she is an inspiration to me because at the time when Arab women were believed to be uncultured and made to stay at home, she is the opposite proof.
All you have to do is to grow up in an environment that encourages learning, growth and entrepreneurship to be able to do great things. All it takes is ambition and women and men can achieve the same goals.

What does International Women's Day mean to you?

International Women's Day is an important day that allows us to remember the daily struggles that women (in general) have fought and will continue to fight to make the world a better place, fairer, more tolerant, less sexist and less discriminatory. Women have the right to live as they wish and this Day, by the fact that it exists, is a proof that despite progress, there is still effort to do.