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Angela Ferreira is a senior analytics engineer at Infinite Lambda. A proactive member of the data community, she is passionate about helping others enter the tech industry and progress on their learning and career development journeys.
Angela is vocal about women’s experiences in STEM and in the data industry in particular. She is part of Infinite Lambda’s DEI Committee, where she helps drive initiatives that aim to create inclusive environments for everyone to thrive in.
In this interview, Angela opens up about her own journey in data and technology.
Tell us a bit about yourself and what first sparked your interest in data
I’m Angela, I’m Brazilian, and I have a Bachelor’s degree in Mechatronics Engineering. I have been working with data since my very first internship.
In Brazil, engineers tend to explore many different paths, and that has made it hard for me to decide what I really want. After some reflection, I realised I love solving problems and communicating with people, not just focusing on tools or frameworks.
Back at university, a friend who had just joined the data field encouraged me to look into it, and I could picture myself in a data role right away. Data sits right at the intersection of the technical and the business world, the place where my analytical and human sides meet.
I could also see that the data industry had a strong future; it was full of opportunities, growth potential, and impact. So, even though I was quite lost back then – as most university students are – I ended up choosing a path that fit me perfectly. Looking back, I feel lucky because I truly love what I do now.
What were school and university like for you?
At school, I was fascinated by maths and physics. Since I was 10, I had been saying that I wanted to be an engineer. Of course, back then, an analytics engineer was not even a thing. 😄
I started my BA in Electronic Engineering and stayed for two years before switching to Mechatronics Engineering, where I eventually graduated. In Brazil, engineering is a five-year, full-time programme, and it takes a lot of time, effort, and commitment.
I was the first person in my family to go to university, so I had to figure out everything on my own.
Over time, I could feel my passion for machines and engineering starting to fade. Semester after semester, I was increasingly frustrated, sometimes even questioning whether I would be able to graduate or if engineering was for me at all.
I like to share this part of my story because many people experience similar doubts and challenges. At that time, all was doom and gloom, but now I see it differently.
If I could go back, I would not choose any other path. Back then, I just did not have the tools to handle everything. Those experiences shaped my future, made me stronger, and gave me the resilience, perspective, and problem-solving skills that I use in my work every day.
Were there other women in your class?
Out of 50 students in my class, only four of us were women. That experience really shaped my story. It was often a very sexist environment, and I remember feeling quite lonely trying to navigate it.
At the time, each of us was mostly focused on trying to fit in rather than standing together, but even so, I made amazing friends among the women I met at university, who became an important part of my journey.
At first, I did not realise how powerful it could be to support each other and speak up about what we were experiencing.
Over time, that awareness grew stronger. I became actively involved in DEI initiatives and even started Women in Data and Women in Tech groups at two of the companies I worked for. Those spaces made a real difference, allowing us to share experiences openly and take action to build more inclusive environments for everyone.
How did you land your first role in data?
When I first started applying for jobs, I would focus on data analyst roles. At that time, I was not sure how technical I wanted my career to be, and data analysis seemed to offer a good balance.
I went through many internship interviews until one, in particular, stood out. It was led by a woman manager who told me she wanted to hire more women for her team. After everything I had experienced at university, that felt like exactly the kind of environment I needed.
My biggest challenge back then was my own insecurity. I was still carrying a lot of frustration from my university years, and my intellectual self-esteem was not in great shape.
But that first role at a startup with people from all over Latin America changed everything. It was a fast-paced, dynamic place where I had a lot of exposure and opportunities to learn.
Very quickly, I realised how much I loved the technical side of things, and that curiosity naturally led me towards analytics engineering.
Over time, I also started to see that I was actually good at what I did. That realisation helped me leave behind all the self-doubt and bad experiences from university. They became just part of my story, not my whole identity.
How did you go about building the skills and the experience to get noticed by employers?
I have always been a curious person, so it was early in my career that I started using LinkedIn intentionally. I followed people who shared valuable content and joined data communities where I could learn and exchange experiences.
That helped me understand what mattered in the industry and guided my studies through articles and newsletters.
I also had great managers who supported me in creating my Personal Development Plan (PDP) around my goals. Every few months, I would review and adjust it as my priorities evolved.
To me, the secret of growth is being intentional. Know what you want to learn, stay curious, and trust mentors or managers who can help you shape your path.
What has surprised you most about your journey so far?
Honestly, everything I have achieved so far still surprises me.
Working in tech has been one of the best cost–benefit choices I could have made. It gives me flexibility, great learning opportunities, and the kind of work–life balance I have always wanted. And yes, it also offers good salaries, which I believe we should talk about more openly.
Looking back, I could have never imagined reaching so many personal milestones at my age, like travelling to amazing places, having time to cook and exercise during the week, owning my home, and connecting with people from all over the world.
Of course, the ride could get bumpy. Yet, considering where I have started, I feel proud and grateful. That is one of the reasons I am so passionate about advocating for data and tech. I truly believe these fields can transform lives and create opportunities for many more people and their families.
What habits helped you most when you were developing your skills?
There are a few habits that have really made a difference for me:
- Consistency and organisation: I kept studying and practicing weekly, even if just a little. Learning in tech takes time, so having a plan and sticking to it is key.
- Being strategic with my studies: I focused on what was most relevant to my current work. For example, if I was in a project using AWS, I would dive deeper into AWS rather than GCP. You can always explore other technologies later, but applying what you learn right away makes it stick.
- Focusing on foundations, not just tools: Tech moves fast, and trying to keep up with every new tool out there is neither useful, nor realistic. Eventually, strong fundamentals help you learn any tool more easily when the time comes.
- Choosing the company, not just the other way around: Just like companies interview us, we should also have criteria for them. I always ask about career growth, learning opportunities, and how they support continuous development.
This is Part 1 of Angela’s interview. Part 2 will share insights into starting and building a successful career in data. Stay tuned and in the meantime meet the rest of the Infinite Lambda team.
Connect with Angela on LinkedIn.
