Photo de Melissa Mathers

Melissa Valdez

Technical Consultant, Watson AI

IBM Canada

Created On: September 27, 2019
Sector:
Information Technology
Education Pathway: University
Related School Subjects:
Computer Science,  Physics,  Technology & Engineering

Learn About My Career

Melissa Valdez is a Technical Consultant of Watson AI for IBM Canada.

I was born/grew up in: Windsor, Ontario

I now live in: Toronto, Ontario

I completed my training/education at: University of Windsor (BSc 2015), York University (MSc 2017)

Right now, most of my work focuses on building "Virtual Assistants" using a technology called Watson Assistant. Virtual Assistants are sophisticated chatbots. Chatbots are software programs that “talk” to humans by copying human conversation.  By asking, and answering questions, they can perform tasks and assist customers. Watson Assistant is a Natural Language Processing (NLP) algorithm, a type of Artificial Intelligence (AI). It is my job to customize the AI for a specific uses. An example of this is the program that provides advice to university students on various personal and academic questions they may have.  

My days are never the same. I have a home base at a Toronto IBM office, but about half the time I'm on site at one of our clients' offices for consulting work. Consultants can travel up to 80% of the time - 4 of 5 days a week! When I'm at IBM I work on “training” Watson so it can understand a user's input and respond appropriately. To do this I give examples of the types of questions people might ask and examples of the type(s) of answers that would make sense to a human.

When I was in high school, I didn't know what I wanted to do! I studied physics because it was my favourite subject. Volunteering when I was a student at university helped me expand my network. Someone I met as a volunteer was my connection to IBM and helped me get the job I have today. When I was doing research, I craved more in-person interaction. When I was working in outreach and education, I found myself wanting to do work that was more technical. Kind of like Goldilocks, I found my "just right" career in consulting. Now I get to use my technical skills and my people skills equally.

I love that I get to learn new things every single day. IBM is really a big company and there are so many intelligent people working here from all corners of the globe. Consulting is a business focused on people - so there is a big emphasis on learning new skills and professional development. There are many courses, online resources, and working groups, you can join to learn new skills. That definitely keeps things interesting! Plus, no two projects are the same! We are always pushing to develop new and unique customer experiences. I personally enjoy it because it's a perfect mix of technical work and interaction with clients.

The virtual assistants we are building aim to help make peoples' lives easier. Our clients are all large companies, and the virtual assistants we build simplify interactions for potentially millions of customers, and sometimes thousands of their employees, too.

I try to focus on creative hobbies outside of work because I spend so much time on the computer during the day. I practice dip pen calligraphy, and I like to go to the gym or join a yoga class to keep my body moving.

Jump into coding as early as you can - it's just like learning any language so the longer you practise the better you'll be! Other than that, volunteer for causes you care about to keep you engaged and meeting new people.

What I do at work

Right now, most of my work focuses on building "Virtual Assistants" using a technology called Watson Assistant. Virtual Assistants are sophisticated chatbots. Chatbots are software programs that “talk” to humans by copying human conversation.  By asking, and answering questions, they can perform tasks and assist customers. Watson Assistant is a Natural Language Processing (NLP) algorithm, a type of Artificial Intelligence (AI). It is my job to customize the AI for a specific uses. An example of this is the program that provides advice to university students on various personal and academic questions they may have.  

My days are never the same. I have a home base at a Toronto IBM office, but about half the time I'm on site at one of our clients' offices for consulting work. Consultants can travel up to 80% of the time - 4 of 5 days a week! When I'm at IBM I work on “training” Watson so it can understand a user's input and respond appropriately. To do this I give examples of the types of questions people might ask and examples of the type(s) of answers that would make sense to a human.

My career path is

When I was in high school, I didn't know what I wanted to do! I studied physics because it was my favourite subject. Volunteering when I was a student at university helped me expand my network. Someone I met as a volunteer was my connection to IBM and helped me get the job I have today. When I was doing research, I craved more in-person interaction. When I was working in outreach and education, I found myself wanting to do work that was more technical. Kind of like Goldilocks, I found my "just right" career in consulting. Now I get to use my technical skills and my people skills equally.

I am motivated by

I love that I get to learn new things every single day. IBM is really a big company and there are so many intelligent people working here from all corners of the globe. Consulting is a business focused on people - so there is a big emphasis on learning new skills and professional development. There are many courses, online resources, and working groups, you can join to learn new skills. That definitely keeps things interesting! Plus, no two projects are the same! We are always pushing to develop new and unique customer experiences. I personally enjoy it because it's a perfect mix of technical work and interaction with clients.

How I affect peoples’ lives

The virtual assistants we are building aim to help make peoples' lives easier. Our clients are all large companies, and the virtual assistants we build simplify interactions for potentially millions of customers, and sometimes thousands of their employees, too.

Outside of work I

I try to focus on creative hobbies outside of work because I spend so much time on the computer during the day. I practice dip pen calligraphy, and I like to go to the gym or join a yoga class to keep my body moving.

My advice to others

Jump into coding as early as you can - it's just like learning any language so the longer you practise the better you'll be! Other than that, volunteer for causes you care about to keep you engaged and meeting new people.

When I was a student I enjoyed:

  • Art
  • Computer Science
  • Foreign Languages
  • History
  • Math
  • Science

When I was a student, I would describe myself as someone who:

  • Brought people together
  • Liked helping people
  • Organized activities for my friends
  • Played on a sports team
  • Was motivated by success
  • Wanted to be in charge
  • Engaged in volunteer activities
  • Liked reading
  • Felt great satisfaction in getting good grades
  • Wasn’t sure what I wanted to do
  • Learned best by doing

Partners

Related Topics

Careers Computer Programming Computer Science Computers Information Technology Technology

Explore More Career Profiles

  • Brianna Lummerding à genoux près d’un cerceau en plastique collectant des échantillons dans un champ herbeux.

    Brianna Lummerding

    Career Profiles

    Agronomic Innovation Manager

    I look after all things related to soil management for a group of retailers.
    Learn More Brianna Lummerding
  • Li Tan, vêtu d'une blouse de laboratoire de couleur blanche, souriant dans son laboratoire.

    Li Tan (he/him)

    Career Profiles

    Molecular Lead

    I coordinate the day-to-day operations in the DNA Extraction Lab.
    Learn More Li Tan (he/him)
  • Tyler Mohard wearing lab coat and hair net as he works in the SyLMAND lab

    Tyler Morhart (video)

    Career Profiles

    Scientist, Beamline Responsible - SyLMAND

    I am responsible for the SyLMAND beamline at the Canadian Light Source synchrotron facility.
    Learn More Tyler Morhart (video)
  • Five people, each wearing a white lab coat, standing around a lab bench that has scientific equipment on it.

    Li Tan (Video)

    Career Profiles

    Molecular Lead

    I coordinate the day-to-day operations in the DNA Extraction Lab.
    Learn More Li Tan (Video)
  • portrait par Rashell Featherstone

    Rashell Featherstone (she/her)

    Career Profiles

    Senior Program Associate

    I coordinate projects for the development of new products at STEMCELL.
    Learn More Rashell Featherstone (she/her)
  • Kira Hoffman portant un casque rouge avec de la fumée en arrière-plan

    Kira Hoffman (she/her)

    Career Profiles

    Postdoctoral Researcher/Fire Ecologist

    I am a researcher at both a university and a not-for profit organization where I am gaining experience to become a senior researcher.
    Learn More Kira Hoffman (she/her)
  • Zoe Ehlert closely examining a plan that has yellow flowers

    Zoë Ehlert (Video)

    Career Profiles

    Manager, Marker Assisted Breeding

    I lead a team that develops canola crops by breeding plants with traits we are looking for.
    Learn More Zoë Ehlert (Video)
  • Daniel Meister headshot

    Daniel Meister

    Career Profiles

    Master's Student, Kinesiology

    Learn More Daniel Meister
  • Zoë Ehlert, vêtue d'une blouse de laboratoire blanche, pose une boîte en carton sur une étagère.

    Zoë Ehlert

    Career Profiles

    Manager, Marker Assisted Breeding

    I lead a team that develops canola crops by breeding plants with traits we are looking for.
    Learn More Zoë Ehlert
  • Jennifer Baltzer portant une casquette et un tee-shirt violet avec des arbres en arrière-plan.

    Jennifer Baltzer (she/her)

    Career Profiles

    Professor and Canada Research Chair in Forests and Global Change

    I work at a university, teaching students and conducting research on the impact of climate change on forests in Canada and around the world.
    Learn More Jennifer Baltzer (she/her)
  • Caitlyn Lyons, prête pour la forêt avec son sac à dos et ses outils de collecte de données. La photo insérée montre Caitlyn examinant une section de gazon.

    Caitlyn Lyons (she/her)

    Career Profiles

    Ph.D. Candidate

    I am working towards my PhD and studying the forests in the Northwest Territories.
    Learn More Caitlyn Lyons (she/her)
  • Joann Whalen headshot

    Joann Whalen

    Career Profiles

    Professor at the Faculty of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences,

    I teach advanced courses on how to manage soils to produce healthy, nutritious food and maintain healthy ecosystem functions.
    Learn More Joann Whalen