Maria Clara and Nathalya: from Brasil to xFarm team
Maria Clara and Nathalya have known each other for 18 years. After knowing each other in Brasil, they reunited 10 years later in Italy. Now they both work in xFarm IT team. They told us their story as friends, colleagues and professionals in a sector where female figures are still quite rare.
What do you do in xFarm?
Nathalya
I have been a front-end developer since 2017, and I have been working in the IT sector since 2012.
Maria Clara
I have been in xFarm for a few months and I work on software testing, but I am also learning more on software developing. This is my first experience in the sector.
What are your priorities in your job?
Nathalya
For sure being always one step ahead the competitors. Introducing new ideas before the others and being ready to change. Moreover, making sure the client receives a high quality product.
What about your education?
Nathalya
I started my studies in Brasil. After graduating from highschool I moved to San Paulo, where I discovered my passion for technology and computer science, so I ended up getting a bachelor in computer science. Then I immediately started working, but I wanted to do more. Therefore, I decided to move to Italy (my grandma is Italian) and, after obtaining the citizenship, I moved to Milan.
I found out about xFarm through LinkedIn. It seemed like an interesting reality and I decided to join the team. I realized Maria had a great potential in the IT sector, so I started pushing her in that direction. I knew we needed more people in the team and she had what it took to join us.
Maria Clara
After graduating from highschool, I worked as a clerk. I have known Nathalya for 17 years, we studied together in Brasil. We lost contact and then reunited heer in Italy after 10 years. When I arrived in Italy, I did a lot of different jobs, until Nathalya convinced me to get back to studying. I noticed she was very happy with her job. Following her advice, I started studying on my own, I did an interview and I made it to the team. I will never thank her enough for insisting so much.
How is the work environment?
Nathalya
I have been here for almost a year, but it seems like it has been forever. There are always new ideas, new projects. There is a lot of flexibility and people are willing to work together towards a goal. There are different teams, but in the end we all work together, keeping at the same time a certain independence. There are a lot of opportunities to know your colleagues better, even outside the office.
Do you ever miss your country?
Nathalya
I miss my family and the warmth of my country, but I am happy to live here. I would rather take care of my personal growth, and here I found the right opportunities.
Maria Clara
I would not be able to come back to Brasil, even though I miss my family as well. I want to keep growing and working here.
A part of your job that you particularly apperciate? And, on the other hand, a goal or a task particularly challenging?
Nathalya
The satisfaction of working fpr a long time on a process and completing it successfully. On the contrary, starting a new project is particularly challenging.
Maria Clara
Being able to give the final users a product which imporves the quality of their work.
How has your your experience as women in the IT sector been?
Nathalya
During college I was the only woman in my class. Then the sector evolved and in our city in Brasil I started seing women working in every IT area. When I was working there I have always had a lot of women as colleagues. As I said in the video we realized in xFarm for women’s international day: we have a lot to give to the IT sector and in the agri-food industry, but we are still too few.
Maria Clara
I believe in Brasil there is more freedom when it comes to following your passions, and there is more diversity. There are no rules regarding gender. Here in Italy I worked in a warehouse and as a courier, and I have always received comments about the fact I was a woman. But there is no rule that says some jobs are for women and some others for men. I hope people will become more open-minded.
What do you see in your future and in xFarm future?
Nathalya
xFarm is growing every day and I think it will keep growing for a long time. When I started working here, we were 8 people in the IT team, now we are 20. I hope to continue my career here for a long time. But I want to grow more. I have just finished a master in project management and I hope it will help me grow professionally.
Maria Clara
I want to keep learning everyday, contributing to the company growth and building my professional figure.