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

Fathers at Home: 3 Tips to Maximize Quality Time with Your Kids While Working Remotely

San José, Costa Rica, June 2024. In a world where remote work has become the norm for many men, Father’s Month offers us the opportunity to reflect on how this work mode has impacted fatherhood. Now more than ever, fathers face the challenge of balancing the demands of working from home with the attention their children need. This new reality invites us to explore innovative strategies to ensure that the time spent with our children is meaningful and enriching for both.

According to a study by the Social Observatory of the “la Caixa” Foundation, led by researchers from the University of Barcelona (UB), 30% of men who work remotely are more involved in household chores. Regarding childcare, 24% of fathers who telework engage in more caregiving activities than their partners, while 59% contribute equally. These statistics highlight the complexity of balancing work and family life for fathers working from home and the need to find effective strategies to manage these responsibilities equitably.

From Mismo, a Software consulting firm with a presence in multiple countries and a 100% remote workforce, we share 3 practical tips for enjoying quality time with your children during telecommuting:

  1. Family Brainstorming Sessions: Managing remote work with children can be quite challenging, but with some appropriate strategies, you can achieve an effective balance between your work responsibilities and childcare. An effective tactic is to organize family brainstorming sessions. Set aside a weekly time for everyone to participate with creative ideas for projects or activities. Using whiteboards or virtual whiteboard applications will not only encourage family collaboration but also allow you to maintain focus on your work tasks while your children are entertained and engaged.
  2. Themed Days at Home: Planning themed days at home can be an excellent way to keep children engaged and allow you to focus on your work. Organize days where the entire family dresses up and participates in activities related to a specific theme. From a superhero day to a space adventure, with appropriate costumes and accessories, these themed days will keep the children entertained for extended periods, giving you the space you need to fulfill your work responsibilities without constant interruptions, especially as vacations approach.
  3. Story Creation Room: Create a dedicated space for your children to explore their creativity. A “Story Creation Room,” equipped with paper, crayons, and toys, can be the perfect place. Take short breaks during the day to listen to your children’s stories and encourage them in their creations. This will not only foster their imagination but also provide them with their own area to play while you focus on your work, thus achieving a harmonious balance between being an attentive parent and a productive professional.

Keep in mind that…

Taking scheduled breaks is essential for maintaining a healthy balance between work and family life. Use these intervals to stretch, take a short walk, or simply relax. Likewise, take advantage of these breaks to share special moments with your children, whether it’s playing together in the garden or enjoying a small picnic in the living room. Integrating these quality moments into your daily routine will not only strengthen your family bonds but also help you stay focused and productive at work.

Creating suitable family spaces and establishing solid routines are essential for enjoying time at home with our children, especially when working remotely. Jinal Jhaveri, founder of Mismo, shares an anecdote that many parents can relate to: “As a father of two girls, I know how challenging it can be to work from home while attending to my daughters and fulfilling my work responsibilities. Once, during a client meeting, my daughters organized an impromptu concert in the living room. This episode reminded me of the importance of managing interruptions effectively and having well-established routines. Additionally, childhood passes by so quickly, and I’m glad to be able to share these special moments at home, even if they are chaotic at times.”

The executive adds, “This experience is shared by many parents striving to balance work and family in a remote environment. At Mismo, we are committed to finding practical and creative solutions to help parents enjoy quality time with their children while achieving their professional goals.”

Incorporating these strategies into your daily routine will not only improve your relationship with your children but also make the experience of working from home more rewarding and productive. Happy Father’s Day from Mismo!