From Data to Impact: Fabián Sánchez’s Career in Colombia

Mismo thrives on the strength of its exceptional team. We provide top-tier remote software development teams that seamlessly integrate with companies worldwide, driving exceptional results. Many organizations have partnered with Mismo to augment their development capabilities and achieve their technology goals.

At the heart of these successful teams are the talented individuals who make Mismo what it is. We’re committed to celebrating our remarkable employees and their invaluable contributions to our company culture. Our employee spotlights showcase the genuine relationships we’ve forged with team members and clients, highlighting their dedication and the positive impact they have on our collaborative environment.

Meet: Fabián Sánchez

Data Analyst
Country: Colombia

  • Tell us a little about yourself: I’m a sociologist and economist from the National University of Colombia. I’ve been working for the data analytics team for 2 and a half years now.
  • What initially attracted you to engineering and how have you found inspiration in this career? I’m not an engineer, but I found interest in data the first time I started working on this. I started working for non profit organizations that collected and analyzed data about the conflict in Colombia and I found a lot of value and potential there. This never gets boring as you combine technical skills with other soft skills. You have to know how to tell a story, how to convince people, how to sell an idea and how the organization works in order to bring value to the table, while also keeping up to date with other technical requirements, coding languages and new tools.
  • What innovation or technical advancement have you been a part of that you consider to have made a milestone in your engineering field? There’s innovation everywhere, but I’d say that automating and improving some businesses processes. We have implemented some innovations that are saving thousands of hours to the company and helping people get rid of some manual and repetitive work to start doing what they’re best at.
  • What made you choose Mismo? I’m kind of an outlier since Mismo contacted me directly. However, I’ve found a lot of value in Mismo: Everyone from the HR team is available and happy to help with anything you need. People are kind, clear and open. This definitely helps create a healthier work environment, create engagement with other coworkers and bring some stability and benefits that contractors don’t usually have.
  • How would you describe the work environment at Mismo? Collaborative and kind!
  • What learning and development opportunities have you had at Mismo and how have you utilized these opportunities to grow as a professional? I was promoted recently, which required an incredible amount of work and effort. I’ve made contact with people from all kinds of different backgrounds and perspectives, learning new ways to do things and improving my own work habits. It’s surprising that, besides all the technical abilities you have to learn, you also end up improving some soft skills and at a personal level too.
  • What aspects of working at Mismo’s engineering team make you proud and motivate you in your daily tasks? I’d say being part of a team that is mainly in South America. I think there’s a lot of talent here that has not been fully explored yet. I also think we break stereotypes and make people change their minds regarding certain preconceptions that are somewhat generalized.
  • How do you believe the company and engineering can positively impact the world, people’s lives, and make a difference in their respective industries? Making life easier for all kinds of teams within the company. We’re constantly helping people make better decisions, sooner, and this implies getting rid of manual work, automating processes, making tasks faster and easier. This allows workers to have more free time to enjoy their time doing what they love, while keeping a high productivity at work.
  • What Mismo policies or practices have helped you improve your work-life balance? Karma activities help me distract from my day to day work and clear up my mind a bit. Some other socialization activities are super nice to have and have helped me know my coworkers better. Finally, having the opportunity to work remotely has helped me work in different environments, adjust times to my own schedule and have more time to do other things I love
  • What inspiring advice would you give to someone considering a career in engineering or looking to join a company like Mismo? Be your best, do your best! There’s a world out there waiting to be explored, and constantly challenging ourselves is what makes life interesting 
  • What tools or technologies do you use most frequently in your daily work as an engineer at Mismo? Snowflake, Tableau, Visual Studio, Retool, Google Suite

Silicon Valley offers remote job opportunities for Costa Ricans: Get to know the requirements

San Jose (Costa Rica), August 2023. Silicon Valley, known as the hub of technological innovation, has become an attractive place for Latin American talents seeking remote work. In an increasingly interconnected world, these leading technology companies provide opportunities for professionals from different nations, especially Costa Rican talents, who have proven to be creative, proactive, and with a constant passion for learning.

Startups have shown a growing interest in hiring remote Costa Rican software engineers, recognizing their significant contribution to the technology field. Local talent is highly valued in the global tech industry due to their mental agility, problem-solving skills, educational background, and passion for their work. These companies embrace cultural diversity and the unique perspectives that talent from the region brings, actively seeking highly skilled professionals.

For Costa Ricans interested in applying for these opportunities, the requirements are demanding but attainable. Proficiency in English at a B2 level according to the Common European Framework of Reference (CEFR) is essential to communicate in international settings effectively. Additionally, knowledge and experience in web interface design, software development, and data analysis are highly valued skills in today’s technology field. Companies also seek professionals with soft skills like teamwork, adaptability, and resilience.

Discover the requirements for remote work from Costa Rica:

English Proficiency: Ensuring global communication. To make headway in the international professional landscape, a minimum B2 level of English proficiency according to the Common European Framework of Reference (CEFR) is a fundamental requirement. This competence ensures efficient communication in global contexts, preparing individuals to tackle worldwide challenges and cultivate relationships that transcend geographic boundaries.

Technical Mastery and Experience: Leading technological change. The tech field demands professionals with broad skills and experience. Those passionate about web interface design, software development, quality assurance, and data analysis have the opportunity to lead change in large-scale projects and create innovative solutions.

Soft Skills: The compass to collaborative success. Beyond technical talent, organizations seek professionals with outstanding soft skills. The ability to work in a team, express oneself effectively, and adapt to challenges in the workplace is essential to excel in the global business landscape. Candidates with a positive attitude and collaboration skills stand out in today’s business environment.

“If you aspire to join the dynamic tech world, it’s essential to dedicate time and effort to improve your technical skills, whether through specialized courses, immersion in relevant content, or constant practice in challenging projects,” says Diego Gamboa, Chief Technology Officer of the software consulting firm Mismo.

He further explains, “Silicon Valley companies appreciate candidates who maintain a strong online presence, sharing projects and contributions on platforms like GitHub and LinkedIn. This kind of engagement demonstrates their passion and commitment to technology and the professional community.”

Working for American industries from Costa Rica offers several attractive benefits for professionals. The primary one is receiving salaries in US dollars, strengthening purchasing power against local currencies and providing economic stability. These startups also offer budget allowances for home office setup, access to quality technology and internet connections, as well as budgets for professional development and continuous education. Additional benefits include flexible working hours, an innovative work environment, and the opportunity to work on global-scale projects.

The opportunities for Costa Rican talent in Silicon Valley are diverse and exciting. These include positions for full-stack engineers and front-end and back-end developers, which are essential for creating technological projects. Similarly, DevOps engineers, experts in infrastructure, are in demand. These engineers, along with data scientists, play a vital role in the product and service development life cycle.

If you are a passionate professional with outstanding technical skills and a proactive attitude, we invite you to explore the available opportunities and apply to become a part of this innovative and ever-evolving community. Those interested in applying for these positions can do so at Mismo

Remote work: These are the most sought-after profiles in 2023

San Jose (Costa Rica), March 2023. Remote work remains the top choice for Costa Ricans when applying for jobs, especially international ones, given the benefits it offers, ranging from dollar salaries without leaving the comfort of home to paid flexible hours.

According to the latest Global Hiring Report by Deel Lab for Global Employment, Latin America continues to see the highest growth in foreign hiring, with a 161% increase. This study also highlights Costa Rica as one of the most attractive countries in the region for remote hiring. Positions related to technology and software development are particularly favored by multinational companies, given the access to a pool of high-quality talent.

But, what are the most sought-after profiles in Costa Rica for these companies? Thanks to the Digital Era, which has not only transformed how people interact but also pushed companies to reinvent themselves constantly, employees with expertise in web interface design, software development, and data analysis are in high demand.

“In addition to work experience, adaptability, self-management, problem-solving through timely ideas, and the ability to work in teams are highly valued in organizations. Soft skills are thus gaining increasing importance in the selection processes,” says Diego Gamboa, Chief Technology Officer of the software consultancy firm Mismo, which has been providing IT solutions to North American companies for over a decade.

Here are the top 3 in-demand profiles for 2023:

Data Engineer: Engineers in this field handle storing, analyzing, and managing a company’s data to make it efficiently usable for decision-making.

“Companies have their eyes on engineers in Latin America, especially Costa Ricans, due to their geographical location, time zone, proactivity, and ability to turn ideas into tangible projects, qualities highly appreciated by global executives,” adds the CTO, whose mission with Mismo since 2012 has been to connect and position Latin American talent with Silicon Valley startups.

Full-Stack Engineer: In 2023, visiting websites daily, whether for grocery shopping, ordering lunch for delivery, or even scheduling a medical appointment, is common. Those responsible for the user experience on a website (Front-end) and the programming and maintenance of its internal architecture (Back-end) are Full-Stack engineers. Knowledge of technologies like CSS, HTML, JavaScript, among others, and analytical and critical thinking are essential for those applying for remote positions in this profile.

Front-End Developer: Front-End web developers are responsible for creating the interface of a website or application. Anything a visitor can see or interact with on that page is the responsibility of the Front-End engineer. Skills required for developers in this role include knowledge of HTML, CSS, JavaScript, among others, and techniques to enhance the user experience with the website.

If you’re interested in applying for these positions, you can do so at https://mismo.team/.