I began my journey in sports at the University of Coimbra, where I earned a Bachelor’s degree in Sport Sciences.
I also obtained a Level I swimming coach certification as part of this degree. Later, I pursued and successfully obtained a UEFA C futsal coaching license. With this background, I moved on to work as a physical education and swimming teacher for elementary school students and as a futsal coach for all ages. These roles helped me develop a strong sense of teamwork, resilience, and adaptability while teaching me to effectively manage diverse groups and address challenges head-on.
Over time, I realized I wanted to pursue a career that offered continuous learning and new opportunities for problem-solving, which led me to transition into the tech industry.
Currently, I’m a Professional Software Engineer at Zühlke, where I apply the lessons learned from my sports background to tackle complex problems, collaborate effectively, and contribute to innovative projects. My unconventional journey has provided me with a unique perspective, equipping me with creativity and the ability to have a dynamic approach to the fast-paced and ever-evolving tech world.
Can you share your journey from a sports background into the tech industry? What inspired you to make this career transition?
I’ve always been into sports, so pursuing it both academically and professionally felt like a natural choice. For a few years, I worked in the field, while juggling other jobs to maintain some stability.
However, I eventually realized that it was no longer rewarding, as the challenges and recognition weren’t enough to keep me fulfilled. Continuing down that path, I knew, wasn’t going to bring me the sense of accomplishment I was seeking for the future.
During that search for something more, I even participated in an entrepreneurship program, where my friend and I developed the concept of a digital tool to help coaches and clubs manage their athletes and members. This experience introduced me to technology’s potential and equipped me with essential business skills like strategic planning, idea validation, and business model development. These skills became invaluable later on when I began considering a tech career.
The pandemic was a real turning point for me. It gave me the time to reflect and the push I needed to switch gears. It motivated me to search for something that aligned with my long-term goals. That was when I discovered and started considering programming. In 2020, the opportunity to apply for professional training as a systems computer technician appeared, and I was determined to start changing my life, so I did it. During the program, I acquired knowledge in areas such as hardware, operating systems, databases and more. However, it was software development that excited me the most, as the process of developing felt as engaging and enjoyable as playing a game.
The idea of constantly being challenged and continuously learning every day felt exciting and rewarding. With new technologies emerging all the time, and digital transformation playing such a crucial role in today’s world, moving into tech just seemed like the perfect opportunity to dive into something fulfilling.
What were some of the biggest challenges you faced while transitioning into tech, and how did you overcome them?
Juggling work and studying at the same time was a big hurdle for me. I’m really grateful to my family for all the support they gave me during the times I had to make sacrifices.
Let’s face it, there are only 24 hours in a day, and I had to give up a chunk of my social life, I didn’t have the energy for big adventures back then. The next challenge was finding a company that would take me on for an internship, especially since my background wasn’t in computer science. I got a lot of rejection emails, or no replies at all, but eventually, one opportunity came through. I joined the company as an intern and then landed my first role as a software developer with them.
There were definitely moments of doubt, wondering if I was meeting expectations, and I think a lot of women feel this way. We sometimes think giving 100% isn’t enough or that we need to prove ourselves to peers and leaders. Impostor syndrome can easily creep in, especially with a non-tech background and being in a male-dominated field (sports wasn’t much different in that regard).
To push through, I found it helpful to ask for constructive feedback from colleagues. Everyone has areas they can improve on, but it’s just as important to know what you’re doing well and what your strengths are; it’s just about recognizing and building on them.
How has your experience in sports influenced your approach to problem-solving, teamwork, and resilience in software engineering?
Working with diverse teams in sports, each with their own goals and challenges, taught me how to embrace different methods and perspectives. I learned that communication and collaboration are key to achieving shared goals, and these lessons are just as relevant in tech.
Sports also threw a lot of unpredictable situations my way, such as shifts in team dynamics or different skill levels of athletes during training. That forced me to think on my feet, adjust plans, and make real-time decisions, similar to the way software projects often demand flexibility in responding to shifting requirements and priorities.
Lastly, fostering resilience and creativity during tough times in sports, whether through motivating my athletes or adapting drills, helped me approach obstacles with a can-do mindset in tech. It’s all about turning challenges into opportunities to grow and innovate.
What advice would you give to others who are considering a non-traditional path into tech?
Starting with self-learning can be appealing, but staying disciplined without a mentor or classmates to share the experience with can be really tough. So, I’d say begin with a guided live course or training program to learn the basics it’s so much easier when you have structure.
Once you’ve got the fundamentals down, just start experimenting. Dive into personal projects, build things you’re passionate about, create games or tools, whatever excites you. I had a mentor who constantly bugged me to start a personal project, but I kept putting it off because I thought I should spend that time studying.
Honestly, once I started to bring my own ideas to life, I got super excited. I played around with the technologies I was using at work but also explored new ones that my job didn’t give me the chance to try. Learning this way was so much more enjoyable. Nevertheless, keep reading. Play and read, play and read, play and read. It’s a cycle that works wonders.
In your opinion, how can companies like Zühlke better support and encourage diverse career transitions into technology?
Zühlke gave me an opportunity despite my unconventional background, and that made all the difference. Motivation, resilience, and skills go far beyond a degree, and people from different career paths can add so much value to teams, companies, and the tech industry as a whole. Instead of looking for one-size-fits-all solutions, companies could ask individuals directly what support they need. A simple “How can we help you thrive?” can lead to better results. Also, making it clear that they’re open to onboarding talent with diverse backgrounds is crucial.
For example, listing a university degree in the field as a job requirement might discourage talented people from applying, even if they have the skills and experience to do the job. It’s about showing that tech is accessible to everyone, even those who don’t follow the conventional path.
On top of that, offering tailored training programs, such as mentorship opportunities, bootcamps, or workshops, can make the transition smoother for those coming from other industries. Structured career development plans and ongoing learning through Certifications or educational partnerships can also help employees feel supported at every stage of their journey.
By doing these things, companies can demonstrate their commitment to embracing diverse backgrounds and encourage people to pursue tech careers, knowing they’ll have the resources to succeed.
