Asteroid Day Community Member Spotlight – Philippine Griveaud
Asteroid Day Community Member Spotlight – Philippine Griveaud https://asteroidday-uploads.s3.eu-central-1.amazonaws.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/02/20204214/philippine-copy.jpeg 512 427 Asteroid Day https://asteroidday-uploads.s3.eu-central-1.amazonaws.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/02/20204214/philippine-copy.jpeg
In this Community Member Spotlight, we talked with Philippine Griveaud. She interned for Asteroid Day for three years in a row – 2017, 2018, and 2019. During this time Philippine was at the University of Luxembourg studying Physics and now she is doing a PhD in Astrophysics at the Observatory of the Côte d’Azur, France. Learn how the experience with Asteroid Day led Philippine to work in the same team as Patrick Michel, the most famous French planetary scientist!
Philippine, how did you hear about the opportunity to get involved with Asteroid Day?
I met a member of the Asteroid Day team who told me they were looking for volunteers to help out on the event day. I think I showed so much enthusiasm that I ended up volunteering for the whole week.
Philippine assisting Grig Richers in production
What were some of the roles you held while interning for Asteroid Day?
During the first year, I got to try a lot of different things like translating press releases and helping with social media. On the day of the broadcast, I assisted Grig Richters in the “broadcast van”. It was so cool to see the behind-the-scenes and learn how such a production is run.
In the second year, I wrote a few articles for the Asteroid Day blog, about the latest news on asteroids. In the days leading up to the asteroid day events, I started to become involved in the handling of our guest speakers, which in my third year of interning became my main role. Along with handling all communications with the speakers, during the last year, I was also the main contact point for our sponsors.
Philippine with Etienne Schneider, former Prime Minister of Luxembourg, in Asteroid Day LIVE 2018
What were some of the new skills you picked up?
I have learned so much during my three years at AD, it’s hard to list all the skills I picked up. The main skills I would say are communications skills: internal ones for good teamwork as well as “external” communication when dealing with important guests and sponsors. I also learned how to organise my time efficiently in such a time-constrained project. And last but not least, I have learned a lot about event management and organisation.
What is your favourite part about the internship as a whole?
All of it! Working with great people. Meeting our speakers who were all so interesting to talk with. The end of AD LIVE. Feeling like we accomplished something big. And most definitely being introduced to cheese and pickle sandwiches!
Philippine with Asteroid Day co-founder Danica Remy (far right)
What person did you meet during your time with Asteroid Day that inspired you and why?
As an aspiring astrophysicist, it was super inspiring to exchange with the expert speakers we invited over the years. However, the most inspiring person I got to know and work with is Danica Remy. She was a great leader and encouraged me to take initiative and pursue my ambitions.
How did the experience with Asteroid Day impact you personally and professionally?
Working at Asteroid Day led me to hear about the Observatoire de la Côte d’Azur (OCA), where Patrick Michel works. I found out they had a great Master’s degree in Astrophysics, which I started a few months after my last Asteroid Day. Once I graduated with this degree, I started a PhD there, and I’m now working in the same team as Patrick Michel!
Would you recommend interning for Asteroid Day?
Definitely! If all of my previous answers didn’t convince you already, I don’t know what will.
