The technology area is usually dominated by men, but little by little this scenario is changing. In 2020, of all vacancies in this segment on Revelo’s human resources digital platform, 12.2% were occupied by women. This number was 10.9% in 2017 – a small increase, for sure. But it’s an increase anyway.
Precisely for this reason, here at EUGENIO we make a point of bringing inspiring stories from women in Technology. We’ve already talked more about Jade Lessa, software analyst, in this blog post and about Vivian Heinrichs, Product Manager, in this one.
Today, we want to tell you a little more about the story of Rafaela Mancilha, Technology manager with a focus on Internet of Things.
The graduation is not always in Technology
Rafa, as we call her here on the EUGENIO team, has a degree in Electrical Engineering, with an emphasis on Telecommunications. Not always, to work with IT, you need to be trained in a course very focused on the area. She started her career in the area of Network and System Management, where she was already challenged to know a lot about Software, which was little explored during her graduation, she migrated to the Software pre-sales team, when it was created and, when she found herself working with Digital Transformation, she found her vocation.
What most caught Rafa’s attention was how it is necessary to have a systemic and, at the same time, quite comprehensive vision to deal with software and application development. And, furthermore, with the constant changes caused by the Digital Transformation within companies, especially when it comes to the Internet of Things.
Technology and processes, the perfect match
Rafa reinforces that, to work with IoT, being able to work with integration in different layers, with a systemic look is a basic requirement. “At the same time, it is necessary to have an innovative approach from the point of view of technology. Especially to be able to keep up with changes and advances that happen so fast and on different fronts”, she adds.
Check out our chat here:
EUGENIO: What are the main challenges of working with technology?
Rafaela Mancilha: Definitely being able to keep up to date. You need to look for and understand what is being done in the most different markets and in other countries, to develop projects that keep up with this frenetic pace. Besides, of course, getting ideas off the paper, which depends a lot on the ability to understand the business demands, the processes involved, in addition to the technology, and being able to make it all tangible.
EUGENIO:And what are the main challenges of being a leader in this market?
Rafaela Mancilha: When we propose to innovate, we are always subject to error, this is part of the process and generates a lot of learning all the time. Teaching and, at the same time, being able to deal with mistakes and correct the route quickly and practically without affecting the team’s motivation is a real challenge. Maintaining resilience in all situations and making people able to be resilient is also a constant pursuit and one that brings many rewards at the end of the day.
EUGENIO: What do you like most about the Internet of Things?
Rafaela Mancilha: I like being able to work with a technology that, little by little, is entering people’s homes and work routines. It’s really cool to see how IoT projects are able to facilitate and simplify everyday life. This technology really impacts business transformation and society, and being able to contribute to this transformation that impacts people’s lives is what inspires and moves me.
EUGENIO: IoT really changes the world. So, in your opinion, what is the biggest challenge for companies when it comes to the Internet of Things?
Rafaela Mancilha: I believe that the cultural issue is still a barrier to be overcome. There is a latent desire to do different things, but at the same time, to keep everything as it is. The way companies buy, build, test, implement technology solutions changes with IoT. We are no longer talking about “off-the-shelf” products. We are talking about complex solutions, with different layers, built by many people, and that need interaction between areas, which previously did not communicate, in order to work. Solutions may have the best technological base and still not solve the problems addressed if there is no process adjustment or a change in how people work with it.
EUGENIO:What advice would you give to someone thinking about working with IoT?
Rafaela Mancilha: Study hard and focus on keeping up to date with what’s new. You must be persistent and not get frustrated by the lack of immediate results – they are not always measurable in the short term, but be sure that they show up over time. Making mistakes is part of the innovation process and the key is knowing how to fix these mistakes quickly and try again… Until it works!
EUGENIO: Do you recommend a book for those who want to know more about IoT?
Rafaela Mancilha: “The Internet of Things Myths” is a book that talks about the points that contributed to many trends projected for IoT not happening. Which is quite curious, because the authors provide a complete analysis of why things have gone wrong so far and not the other way around. They reflect a great deal on what not to do in relation to IoT demands and therefore give direction on what needs to be done for things to evolve. It brings a different and very interesting point of view about the things seen and experienced in the daily lives of those who work with innovation.
