Ana Gonçalo, People and Communities Specialist
Early years and where you came from?
I studied Psychology in ISCTE-IUL, and when I started my Master's Degree I decided to delay this decision. I took a chance and I moved to Dubai to work in the Aviation Industry for almost 5 years!
How were you introduced to the world of the Portuguese tech industry?
Since I studied in ISCTE-IUL, luckily I was always in contact with IT students, I always found it fascinated to be around them, it was my way to have some more knowledge about the tech world. In 2018 when I returned to Lisbon, I started working in the tech industry as a Recruiter, but I wanted to be more involved in career management, and in 2019 I was presented with the challenge to work for OutFit — an OutSystems Center of Excellence.
Walk me through your work and what you are doing now in the tech industry.
As you probably understood by now, my educational background is organizational psychology, so when I started working in this sector, it was almost like learning a new language, I kept on searching and asking questions — I even stared my own version of “Tech for Dummies — Basic Introduction”. In OutFit since we only work with OutSystems, my job becomes a little bit easier, but still, I can say I learn something new almost every day.
My mission as a People and Communities Specialist is to create more OutSystems Communities, to share the practice and to build a work atmosphere that promotes development and well-being on both professional & personal levels. Encouraging and supporting my team to be engaged, committed, to have empathy and to become greater professionals it sums up pretty much my role.
What part of what you do, you love the most?
Will make it short this time :p — The People!
How do you think that your background and knowledge impact the way you approach your work in the Portuguese tech industry?
I believe my background and knowledge have a huge influence on the way I work and interact with other people. It gives me different skills, opinions and visions. Diversity in a team means more opportunities to approach situations from different angles.
What advice do you have for young women that want to get into tech and don’t know where to start?
First of all (and it applies to everybody): Do not give up! It won’t be easy, but it won’t be impossible either. Explore, do a lot of research and try to look for your own mentors/coaches, they will for sure help you building your own path. You go, Girl!
Walk me through a day in your life as a Portuguese women in tech.
I can gladly say I don’t have similar days, a routine is not part of my agenda. Almost everything can happen, believe me.
What’s the best advice you’ve ever received?
In Dubai, we used to say: “Work hard, but mainly… work smart!”
What apps/software/tools can’t you live without?
LinkedIn, G.Suite (Gmail, Sheets, Docs, Slides, Google Meet), Canvas, MailChimp, OneNote, WorkPlace and “My Infinity Book” :)
Any links that you want to share? In what are you working on…
At the moment I am working on our OutSystems Communities.
👉Find Ana on LinkedIn
