Name: Marta Vasconcelos

Country: Portugal

Highest level of education: Master’s Degree

Major or field of study: Software Engineering

Current position: Engineering Manager at SingleStore

Marta Vasconcelos is an Engineering Manager at SingleStore from Portugal, holding a Master’s degree in Software Engineering. With her strong technical background and leadership skills, she oversees engineering teams, driving innovation and excellence in software development. Marta’s expertise in both software engineering and team management enables her to deliver impactful solutions in the fast-paced tech industry.

Obstacles Marta encountered throughout her educational and professional journey

Marta began her academic journey by studying Design and Multimedia. The bachelor’s program included a heavy focus on computer science courses such as Databases, Artificial Intelligence, Programming, and Software Engineering. However, Marta wanted to delve deeper into the field of computer science. This led her to pursue a Master’s in Software Engineering.

That decision marked the first and perhaps the most significant challenge she faced. Coming from a non-traditional background in computer science, Marta encountered skepticism. She vividly remembers the program’s lead professor telling her, “This Master’s is not for you,” and suggesting she take an introductory programming course instead, without even reviewing her resume. Despite feeling disheartened and questioning her career path, Marta chose to apply anyway. She never expected to be accepted, so when the acceptance email arrived, it was a thrilling surprise.

Strategies and actions adopted by Marta to overcome these obstacles

Marta dedicated herself to excelling in her classes, even if it meant putting in extra hours of homework and study. Her strategy was simple yet effective: during lectures, she focused on the topics that others seemed to grasp more easily but were unfamiliar to her. She made detailed notes on these subjects and made it a point to study them thoroughly once she got home.

Key lessons and insights gained from Marta’s experience

Marta firmly believes that with dedication and hard work, any challenge can be overcome. She knows that success is not determined by innate talent alone, but by the persistence to push through obstacles and learn from setbacks. If you’re committed to putting in the necessary effort, there’s no limit to what you can achieve.

The importance of increasing female representation in STEM education and careers

The importance of having more women and girls in STEM education and careers lies in the diversity of perspectives they bring. Every individual’s point of view is shaped by their unique background, beliefs, and experiences, so a more diverse group leads to a wider range of ideas. Women, in particular, can advocate for causes that might otherwise be overlooked, ensuring better representation across all areas. This diversity not only enriches the workplace but also brings fresh energy and innovative ideas, making it essential for the growth and success of any business.

Encouraging more girls and women to pursue careers in STEM

Marta believes that seeing more female role models and emphasizing that job positions aren’t defined by gender could encourage more girls and women to pursue careers in STEM. When young children grow up without associating specific jobs with a particular gender, it creates a more inclusive mindset, leading to more balanced and diverse workplaces in the future.

Initiatives and Programs Driving Women’s Empowerment in STEM

Marta’s first experience came through the Web Summit Women in Tech program, which gave her the opportunity to attend one of the world’s largest tech conferences and connect with many other women in the industry. 

Web Summit’s women in tech programme is a community initiative aimed at balancing the gender ratio at our events. By fostering networking opportunities, building mentorship programmes and offering women attendees discounted tickets, they aim to build a more inclusive and diverse tech industry.

Marta’s advice to young girls considering a career in STEM

“Go ahead and ignore the ones who still think you don’t belong just because you’re a woman. Prove them wrong. Not every place in this industry can be the perfect place to be, so if you find yourself in a place where you are treated differently, just move on. I assure you there are places worth being and where you won’t be treated differently. You will find one too. But after all, be proud to be a woman in tech.“