With an ever-growing global team, anticipating the arrival of new talents is undoubtedly nice and all. Yet, we’re even happier with retaining the support of numerous current teammates. That’s one of the reasons why we must turn our Employee Spotlight on yet another dedicated and long-time standing colleague, Irene Nicolini. She’s currently the Head of our IT Development team and has been with us a bit over three years!
Irene studied Telecommunications Engineering at the University of Trento. While there, she not only fell in love with the city but someone as well. So, she decided to stay upon graduation and immediately found a job, after that, as a Software Developer. Albeit, she didn’t know much about the field then.
In the following seven years, however, Irene had the pleasure of meeting excellent mentors. Thus, she quickly and professionally grew. Also, fun fact – upon choosing a university major, Irene did not enroll in Computer Science simply because she didn’t want to work in front of computers.
But hey, that’s life since, now, she finds herself passionate about coding, eventually leading her to Wonderflow. In her free time, Irene loves online shopping, sharing a beer (German ones like Keller beers) with friends, and hiking or mountain riding in the Trentino mountains.
Read on to learn more about Nicolini’s role as well as interesting quirks.
Irene was having lunch in Reggio Emilia (Italy) with friends.
1. What made you smile recently?
Last week, I got super excited about something that (two years ago) was a daily routine: it was back at the office with the whole team, brainstorming on a challenging issue, writing on a physical whiteboard with colored markers. The team was super involved in the reasoning, and finally, we were all together in the same room.
2. Please describe a bit about your Dev role within our team and its impact on our clients.
I’m the Head of the Development team. This means, first of all, taking care of people. It’s making sure that the team works productively and in a cohesive way, to support the company’s roadmap and each and every client’s needs.
And, of course, I write some bugless code in my “free time.”
3. What are some of your everyday job challenges and advice on how to resolve them?
The biggest challenge for me is to make everyone happy: my team, my colleagues, my boss, our clients. The solution I have found so far is doing the best that I can with the resources I have and communicating to the best of my ability.
Communication is key: The more you share (ideas, issues, solutions, even odd thoughts), the more we can help one another and grow together to achieve common goals.
4. We’re proud to have you not only as our teammate but the Lead on our Dev team. What advice can you share for women in tech to get where they want to be?
Don’t be afraid to face your fears. Don’t be afraid to be uncomfortable. Each challenge or difficulty is a chance for personal and professional growth.
5. With the popularity of working remotely, how do you get things done daily? Personal beliefs or tips?
I personally can’t stand working remotely. I need to be close to people – to see their faces, to understand the vibe of the team better.
In our team, the majority of people are working from the office, but we always try to include everyone in the conversation. For example, during meetings, everyone is connected with his/her own laptop. Cameras should be on, even if in the same room, so that we are participating in the same way as we are in an in-person conversation.
6. What’s something you’re planning on doing in the next year that you’ve never done?
I’m going on an adventurous trip to Iceland for two weeks. I’ll go whale watching and hiking on glaciers and volcanic caves. Be aware that I plan to keep my phone on airplane mode the whole time. So I can’t wait!
Irene (left) with her boyfriend, Mauro, in Madonna di Campiglio.
7. What’s the best advice you’ve ever heard?
If you want people to behave in the best way possible, you should be the one leading and giving examples.
8. If you could have an unlimited supply of one thing, what would it be?
It wouldn’t be interesting.
9. What’s the weirdest thing you’ve ever eaten?
Mozzarella with Nutella, not bad.
10. What’s your favorite TV show(s)?
Buffy the Vampire Slayer, Mad Men, and Sex & The City are my top three. The nerd-me would say The IT Crowd.
11. If you didn’t have to work, what would you do with your time?
Eat, travel, and eat more things around the world.
12. What’s your favorite food?
Pasta with fish!
During one summer in Sassari, it is common to eat burgers filled with fries!
Want to know more about Wonderflow, or are you interested in joining our team? Check out our About page or our Careers page for the latest opportunities. Also, contact [email protected] for any questions.
