Spotlight on Clélia Bondu, a final-year student in the Big Data and Data Strategy Master's programme at Digital Campus Bordeaux. She tells us about her journey and introduces her DC Start project, Phényo!

I've been part of the DC family for 3 years now.

I joined in the third year of the Web Bachelor, specialising in web development. Before that, I completed a DUT MMI in Bordeaux.

I chose Digital Campus Bordeaux because I could study while working through an apprenticeship — learning and earning at the same time, I think that's brilliant! On top of that, the degree is state-recognised. But above all, it was the curriculum that drew me in. There's a broad common foundation that keeps you alert across all areas of digital. The specialism is there to go deeper into a topic you're interested in but don't get to work on in your job. That's why I chose development. I was working as a webmarketing manager and development was something I only saw from a distance. Thanks to the specialism, I got my hands dirty and gained a much better understanding of technical challenges.

The DC programme really does give you a complete grasp of all the dimensions of the web.

As a gymnast and coach, I've experienced and witnessed a lot of injuries that led to time off from sport. And a lengthy injury often means sessions with a physiotherapist. These are necessary but can be long and repetitive, which leads to a loss of motivation. On top of that, few physiotherapists can afford the connected equipment that would allow them to track their patients' progress and optimise the rehabilitation process, due to the high cost. It was for all injured athletes that I wanted to create a tool to make rehabilitation more engaging! With Phényo, rehab becomes more fun for patients through gamified exercises, and more effective for physiotherapists through data visualisation.
Phényo is a gamification and rehabilitation reporting solution for physiotherapists and their patients. Phényo takes the form of a tablet application paired with a bracelet that uses electromyography. On the platform, each game analyses movements and translates them into a virtual environment. This enables comprehensive patient care through data collection. In addition, a web application allows physiotherapists to manage their patients and schedule sessions.
I think this format for a final-year project is fantastic! We work on a topic we're passionate about and have to cover every digital aspect as well as the business creation side. It's very stimulating and requires a lot of research to make sure nothing is overlooked. It's also a constant process of questioning and discussion to keep moving forward. I've learned so much through the DC Start adventure (and I'm very glad to be doing this rather than a dissertation!).
At first, I was really excited and genuinely believed I would bring Phényo to life. However, I came to realise that it requires a lot of financial and human resources, and I still feel too young to launch a business straight out of school. That said, I'm keeping it on the back burner until the moment I'm ready and feel strong enough.
The workload is significant — you can't let time get the better of you. You have to work consistently, and that's really not easy. Especially as you progress, because you're always questioning the project; it evolves right up to the last moment, and you have to accept that it will never be perfect.
Life after DC Start is still a bit unclear — I'd like to move to a new company but continue as an employee for a while longer to build up more skills. I'm keeping Phényo in mind, but for now it's still too soon for me.
Give it everything you've got! Test, create, fail, try again. Over 5 years, you'll develop your skills and find what you're most passionate about.
My first day at Digital Campus. Joining straight into third year, in a class that already knew each other inside out — they'd been working together for two years — it's always nerve-wracking to have to find your place within an already close-knit team. I managed it, and it remains an excellent exercise for whenever you join a new company and its team.