From Vianova to Morgan Stanley - Nicoletas journey from startup to corporate

Meet Nicoleta Krenteras, a former Vianova intern who now works at Morgan Stanley. We interviewed her to find out how her time at Vianova propelled her career going forward and what the biggest learnings from her time with us were.
,Thank you Nicoleta for taking the time to share your experience with us.
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‍Nicoleta: You are very welcome! Describe in up to 5 sentences what were your missions at Vianova and which project you worked on

Nicoleta: I interned at Vianova as a Back-end Software Engineer, diving into Project Hiboux. This project involved crafting a machine-learning model to predict future mobility trends. The goal was to assist mobility providers, city planners, and governments in optimizing micro-mobility deployment across cities. It was an exciting challenge to contribute to such a forward-thinking initiative.
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What were your missions at Vianova and which project you have worked on

Nicoleta: During my internship at Vianova, I served as a Back-end Software Engineer primarily engaged in Project Hiboux. This project aimed to develop a machine learning model predicting future mobility trends, crucial for optimizing micro-mobility deployment across cities. It was a stimulating challenge to contribute to such an innovative initiative, supporting mobility providers, city planners, and governments.
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What was your biggest achievement while working at Vianova?

Nicoleta: My most significant achievement at Vianova was completing a comprehensive final report. In addition to coding, I provided detailed documentation of the model's infrastructure and developed an interactive website for real-time data queries. Individuals on the team with access to the website could select which mobility provider or type of transportation they wanted to view for a more streamlined analysis. An equally rewarding part of my time at Vianova was presenting my findings to the rest of the Vianova team. I loved the process of developing the model, but presenting my work to the business and legal side of Vianova in addition to the engineering team really contextualized everything I had done. What attracts me to technology and sustainability is the impact and reach it could have to improve quality of life if done right. Explaining how my model works and how it can be valuable to Vianova's operation turned my project from numbers, variables, and accuracy scores to people in bikes and cars around Europe.
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What were the main learnings you got from your internship at Vianova?

Nicoleta: My internship at Vianova significantly enhanced my Python skills as a backend engineer and allowed me to apply my interest in machine learning practically. I also developed a profound interest in sustainable mobility, exploring its intersection with AI further in academic pursuits. During my final year at NYU, I received departmental honors in Environmental Studies for my thesis, "Shortcomings of Mathematical Approaches to Urban Mobility Technology: How Abstraction in Artificial Intelligence Hinders the Development of Ethical and Sustainable Solutions", which was largely inspired by my time at Vianova.
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How would you describe Vianova as a place to work and what were some unique aspects of its company culture?

Nicoleta: Vianova fostered an environment of innovation and collaboration, characterized by its fast-paced and dynamic nature. Witnessing the evolution of ideas within our close-knit team was incredibly inspiring. The shared enthusiasm for sustainability and mobility made Vianova a uniquely rewarding workplace.
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What would you recommend to other interns looking to apply for an internship at Vianova?

Nicoleta: For prospective interns, I recommend embracing the opportunity at Vianova if you thrive in a dynamic, creative environment. Strong coding skills, particularly in Python, are essential, alongside a curious mindset. There were a lot of times when developing the model when I needed to read into how various packages or models worked under the hood, and having a background in math made this process much smoother. I could easily dive into the literature and make sense of complex concepts. My mathematical proficiency allowed me to approach problem-solving with greater creativity and flexibility.

Looking back on my time at Vianova, I've come to realize how important it is to understand the ethical dimensions of technology and artificial intelligence. This awareness was particularly important given my involvement in a machine learning project. Whenever deploying this technology to address social issues, understanding the potential implications and challenges becomes imperative. In my opinion, individuals in quantitative, mathematical, or computer science roles should possess a solid foundation in ethics to navigate these complexities effectively.
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Thank you for sharing this with us Nicoleta!

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More about Nicoleta's background:

• Currently working in Risk Management at Morgan Stanley, applying lessons learned from Vianova despite working in a different field
• Majored in math & environmental studies with a minor in documentary at NYU
• Conducted research at Olivier's Pauluis' lab at NYU (working on projects in chaos theory/Lorenz63 equation and Dynamic Mode Decomposition)
• Senior thesis focused on the intersection between technology and sustainability
• Post-Vianova semester, all projects in environmental studies classes emphasized tech and sustainability (it completely transformed the way I approached my environmental studies classes)