Meet Eliana, a beloved member of our team and a dynamic individual with an unusual background in children's education and a diverse range of interests and a passion for continuous learning. From art through education to technology, Eli has always embraced new challenges and contributes to our success management and recruiting teams at Oceans, that is, when she's not taking a break in the delightful company of her husband and her cats!
Who is Eliana? And what is her role in the company?
I have a diverse range of interests including art, crafts, literature, music, dance, and martial arts. I thoroughly enjoy discovering new things, and even to this day, it feels like I'm a child again, getting excited when I stumble upon something new. I immerse myself in learning about these new discoveries. My dad used to tell me when I was young that I wouldn't know if I liked something until I tried it. So, I always begin exploring new things and figure out what I enjoy and what I don't.
I initially studied to become a preschool teacher, where I was exposed to theater, psychology, and games, all of which I found fascinating. However, due to a disappointing experience at my first kindergarten job, where the ideology they presented differed greatly from what I had learned, focusing more on economics rather than education, I shifted gears. It was a drastic change from nurturing and planting seeds of knowledge in each child to the harsh reality of capitalism. Perhaps it would have been different elsewhere, but that experience had a significant impact on me. So, I started considering alternative options.
Among all my hobbies, video games stood out, and that led me to explore options for studying computer science. I pursued a degree in the field and delved into the world of technology. While still working at the kindergarten, I discovered a job opportunity as a recruiter in Argentina, specializing in IT consulting. That role allowed me to learn more about technologies and various development practices, which I found incredibly fulfilling.
At Oceans, I initially joined as a Talent Hunter, primarily searching for IT profiles on different platforms, especially LinkedIn. However, due to my insatiable curiosity (I tend to be restless), I got involved in technical interviews as well. Recently, I transitioned to the role of a Success Manager, assisting with client communication and addressing their needs in coordination with our consultants.
How long have you been with Oceans and what was your first impression?
I have been with Oceans for a year now, and from the very beginning, I noticed that they are not just looking for someone to fill a position, but rather someone who becomes part of a team. It's more than just completing assigned tasks.
My first impression was that there is no hierarchical structure where someone in a higher position holds more valuable opinions. Instead, Oceans is always striving for improvement, which means paying attention to every voice, listening to all opinions, and engaging in dialogue. To be honest, I had never experienced this in previous work environments where it was more like "the boss says, and we do what the boss wants." Here, everyone's voice is heard, and decisions are made with the input of the entire team involved. In my opinion, this approach is better because every person has their own perspective.
What is it like to work at Oceans?
I absolutely love working at Oceans. I appreciate the fact that they give me opportunities to contribute in different areas. Whenever I see something where I can help, they allow me to get involved in tasks beyond my regular responsibilities. They also motivate me to explore if there's always a better or different way of doing things or any new innovations.
Working at Oceans fills me with enthusiasm, and I can see a clear path forward. I can identify areas where I can contribute and improve. There are endless possibilities for growth, and I love knowing that.
As one of the few members of the administrative team located in a different country—first Argentina and now Spain—I can say that I have always felt welcomed. Although there were times when I didn't understand certain terms used by the team or they didn't understand some of the terms I used, I never felt uncomfortable or out of place. There is no division based on being in a different country; on the contrary, they value each individual regardless of their location. I work according to the team's Central Time schedule, so I adjust my hours accordingly. It didn't make much of a difference for me because I am a night owl.
Tell us about an accomplishment you’ve made while working with Oceans
I understand that everything I did for Oceans, I did it because it was something I wanted to do, not with the intention of seeking credit but rather to improve a process or something else. The thing is, I have a very poor memory, and if I don't write things down, I tend to forget them. So, when I started conducting technical interviews, I was thinking, "What should I ask?" I'm not very good at improvising, and I knew that I wouldn't come up with the right questions on the spot. That's when I started searching for questions and considering the ideal topics for each technology. I also referred to the evaluation form we had. Based on all this, I created a question guide for myself and thought, "Well, this might be useful for someone else if it's helpful to me." I shared the guide with Keylor, and he provided some notes like "Change this" or "What if we add this?" It made the guide much better, and now, some questions are already ingrained in my memory, so I don't always need to refer to the document. However, I always keep it handy when I need additional information. It has also helped the technical interviewers, and we have added more questions based on their feedback. I don't feel like I did this for Oceans; I feel it's part of my job, something I want to do well, and I share it because how could I not share something that can help someone else?
What is your main motivation on a daily basis?
I would say my main motivation is learning. I'm always thinking about what I can improve and what new things I can learn. Learning forms the foundation of who I am because if I don't have the desire to learn something, it's unlikely that I'll pursue it. But when I do have the motivation to learn something, I often end up spending much more time on it than I initially planned. I look for different approaches, ways to enhance and grow. So, whenever I think about learning something new, there's no fatigue, no hunger, no sleep—I have no limits. I can keep going and going.
This mindset applies to my actions and ideas as well. I know that by learning and improving, it will lead me to other things. So, devising new ideas and projects goes hand in hand with the idea of how I can enhance or minimize the time I spend on certain routines or tasks that don't require much mental effort. I constantly think about what improvements or new things I can bring to the table, and that excites and motivates me to strive for betterment. For me, the motivation lies in the process of continuous improvement and learning every day. In the field of IT, that's the never-ending pursuit, and it keeps me driven.
What is your professional expectation?
Well, I am currently studying a technical degree in programming. I started it in Argentina and now I'm continuing it from Spain. I am exploring whether programming is truly my passion because I am really interested in data and data analysis. Last year, during a break between holidays, I even started working on the Data Analyst Certificate, which is a Google certification. If there's one thing that I believe aligns well with my personality, it's data analysis for making better decisions and utilizing what we already have. It's a fascinating field. I'm really excited about the new data platforms we are using internally at Oceans.
In terms of my professional expectations, I would love to focus more on data analysis in the medium to long term. If it could be applied within the realm of human resources, that would be fantastic because it would integrate with what I am currently doing. Implementing a systematic approach to data analysis would be great, and it's something I love about Oceans because that's where we are heading.
What do you enjoy the most about working remotely?
What I enjoy the most about working remotely is being able to be comfortable in my clothes and having my cats around. Those are the two things I love the most, haha. My husband also works remotely, so we each have our own workspace, but we share moments like having lunch or dinner together. Sometimes we have tea breaks together as well. It's really nice to add that warmth to the workday and have those personal connections throughout the day.
How do you spend your time outside of work?
Well, that's an endless list, haha, but I would say the hobbies I always come back to are video games, reading, and crochet. Occasionally, I may also feel like practicing Tai Chi, doing some dancing, or playing music. I can play the recorder, so sometimes I'll play it consistently for three months and then take a break for six months, and it goes on like that, haha. But crochet is something that always relaxes me. As for video games, I mainly play on the computer. We have bought some consoles for specific games, but the computer was the first platform I used, and I could spend hours playing, so I absolutely love it.
