interview

Mónica Melo // Team Creativity

24 de abril de 2019

The Explorer

Mónica Melo is a student from Porto University’s Master in Services Engineering and Management. With a full calendar, Mónica feels complete doing things that give her purpose, being it personally, academically or even having fun — something she says it is really important.

Background

In her previous studies, she participated in programs that aimed to help foreigners meet FEUP and Porto — oh, and, by the way, she went to Rome as an Erasmus student.

Her previous academic presence was at FEUP’s integrated master in civil engineering, a “challenging, sometimes frustrating, but rewarding” experience, she tells. But in the real world, as an engineer, she didn’t find the same demands, so, she went back to FEUP for this new master.

Aboard Starlight Software

In our team, Mónica is part of the Business Department, working closely with Team Creativity. Her role is to support the development of the projects, starting with understating the customers’ needs, all the way to the business models.

To the future

Mónica wants to look back and see purpose in her tracks. She aims towards a “continuous growth”, allied with a fulfilling personal life. To her younger self, she’d advise: “do exactly what you think, but don’t worry too much”. Grades come second, after enjoying every period of one’s life. “You will never be able to live a certain moment in your life again”, she warns.

And to future engineers, our engineer has something to say: “Be yourself, no fears. Give your best and fight for your points of view — but first, always listen what other have to say. Listening is more important than speaking”.

“And even more important than saying yes”, Mónica advises, “ is being able to say no — create boundaries to be respected and where you feel comfortable”.

Follow the Explorer Mónica on LinkedIn