Almost 16 years ago, in June 2009, I took my first step at Tlantic as an IT Support Analyst. Little did I know that this decision would mark the beginning of a career full of learning, challenges and achievements that transcend borders. Today, I look back and see not only a solid career, but a story of passion, overcoming and adaptation.
In the beginning, what attracted me were Tlantic’s innovative projects and challenging environment. With operations on two continents, the company already showed unique potential. I confess that the first steps were not easy. As well as using a new operating system, Linux, I had to adapt to a new “language”: Portuguese from Portugal. Although it looked the same, there were so many differences that, at the age of 29, it was almost like learning a language from scratch. 💡
Over time, my passion for challenges led me to the field of Quality Assurance. I’ve always strived for excellence, and the idea of ensuring that systems work perfectly for the end user enchanted me. I took courses, specialized and dove headfirst into this universe. Between 2012 and 2018, the challenges were intense: endless tests, approvals, frequent trips between Brazil and Portugal and projects that required total dedication. Working with two teams, two time zones and two cultures was challenging, but incredibly enriching.
From those years, a few moments stand out. As well as leading two projects with zero bugs in homologation, my first trip to Portugal in 2012 was unforgettable. It only took 15 days, but it was enough to enchant me with the city of Porto and the country that, years later, would become my home. Another memorable project was the implementation of our front-of-house checkout system in 10 stores in Mozambique in just one week. It was a unique opportunity, full of logistical and cultural challenges, which added an incredible chapter to my career.
In December 2018, the passion for Portugal took hold of my heart and, together with my family, I took a leap of faith and moved to Porto. Leaving Brazil, my friends and family wasn’t easy, but strength, focus and clear goals helped us overcome all obstacles. In 2021, I accepted the challenge of returning to the application support area, now as a Senior Service Engineer, managing two systems in different geographies and reconciling time zones. Despite the difficulties, I am motivated by a fantastic team and a leader who always supports me. 💙
Today, as a team leader, I continue to learn and grow every day. I look back on those 16 years at Tlantic and see how fundamental they were to my development, both professionally and personally. I’ve worked with great leaders, absorbed valuable knowledge and learned to deal with different personalities, which has made me a better professional and a more complete person.
And you may be asking yourself: what about the future after 16 years? My goal is to continue contributing to Tlantic, to see new clients arrive and to take on more responsibilities. I’m focused on improving my management skills to offer the best support to my team so that we can continue to grow. This journey shows that, with dedication and courage, we can turn challenges into achievements and dreams into reality. I can’t wait for the next chapters of this story! 👀
Rodrigo Rangel, Senior Service Engineer
