Employee in the Spotlight: Meet Margarida, a food engineer turned developer

Could you tell us a bit about yourself? 

Hello, my name is Margarida. I am 29 years old and I'm from Porto, Portugal. Three years ago, I made a significant career change from the food industry to IT and I can say it was one of the best decisions I've ever made. My passions include reading, listening to music, and following the world of Formula 1. 

What drew you to IG&H? 

Mainly the ambition to change careers. At that time, I felt that my career as a food engineer was stagnant and monotonous and I needed something that would excite me every day. That's when IG&H gave me the opportunity to start working in the IT field as a Power Platform developer. 

What is your role and what does it involve? 

I am a developer, and I work with Microsoft's Power Platform. Ultimately, my job involves using the tools included in the Power Platform to deliver a complete and effective app to the client. My specialty focuses on the front-end, so my day-to-day work involves implementing logic and bringing to life the interfaces that our UI/UX team designs. 

What does a typical day at IG&H look like? 

No day is the same at IG&H and that's what I love. Generally, a day at IG&H involves a lot of conversations with the client and the team to understand the application's requirements. It also requires a lot of focus and development to deliver the project within the stipulated time. 

What do you enjoy most about working at IG&H? 

I think I could spend a whole day talking about the benefits of working at this company, but for me, some of the main points are the mutual help between colleagues, the team spirit, the feeling of a safe environment and mainly the opportunities that arise to show what I am capable of and what I can contribute to the success of the company and the projects. 

What has been your proudest moment at IG&H? 

I couldn't answer this question without mentioning Caldic's Smart Pricing project. I joined the project halfway through, at a time when it faced major challenges. We encountered significant obstacles, but it was a pleasure to see the project evolve and become an important tool for the product managers at Caldic. On an individual level, I was also given responsibilities that I had not yet experienced, which significantly helped my professional growth. 

What do you like most about your role? 

Like all positions, sometimes we face challenges. This is my favorite part without a doubt. Investigating the obstacle, understanding the requirements, finding solutions within the Power Platform and also turning to the Microsoft community and other developers within the company. Facing these obstacles helps me grow as a person and as a professional. I feel that at the end of each challenge, I learn something new. 

What is your advice to other women looking to pursue a tech career? 

Don't let imposter syndrome get the best of you! Speak up at meetings, ask questions, make suggestions, look for other examples of women in tech, and above all, start now. Don't wait for the perfect moment—start today and take the risk, just like I did.