Cristina Guerrero: "I have been selected among more than 1,000 candidates as a beneficiary of the WonNow Awards, a joint initiative between CaixaBank and Microsoft Ibérica".
Who are you, what do you study and in which Campus?
I am Cristina Guerrero, I come from Mallorca and I study at the Campus of Villaviciosa de Odón the Double Degree in Computer Engineering and Mathematical Engineering applied to data analysis.
What does the double degree consist of and what career opportunities do you expect to have once you finish?
The Double Degree offers a general overview at first like all the degrees, but then it becomes more personalized. We have subjects of pure mathematics and business, which teach us first of all to furnish our heads a little bit and also to know in the professional environment where we are going to develop in the future and then subjects of data analysis and computer science where we learn many topics such as the data science process, databases, IA many things so that you can then specialize in what you want. In the project management part they offer you a vision of the whole life cycle of the software engineering project.
About the outlets, I'm still not really sure what I would like to specialize in. I really like everything related to artificial intelligence, blockchain, finance... but I don't know yet. It's six and years and I still have time.
At what point did you decide you wanted to enroll in this double degree?
In my baccalaureate year I was a bit confused, as many people are. I wanted to study medicine, psychology, nursing or criminology, more focused on the health branch. But in the end my taste for mathematics and computer science, and above all, what I can achieve by studying it and all the potential it has, led me to enroll in it. I think it is one of the most promising fields.
Was it then your first choice?
Not my first choice, as I said before, I considered several options. However, when I started to look at computer science and mathematics separately, it was a little clearer. But being able to do them together and having so much future made it my definitive choice.
Why did you choose Universidad Europea?
First of all, because my stepbrother was going to come here, although he didn't come in the end. But I applied for a scholarship for academic excellence and little by little I discovered other advantages: personalization, job placement, the philosophy of learning by doing... and all of that brought me here.
Coming from Mallorca was difficult especially because of the people. At the beginning I missed a lot my family, my friends... because, although I always went on holidays, it's not the same. Although I also think that whenever you live in a place for a long time, you always end up wanting to leave, especially if you are an ambitious person. Even more so on an island, where you get to feel isolated, never better said. Besides, the capital always offers more facilities professionally speaking, especially in my sector. On the other hand, I am also comforted by the fact that I will always have people there and therefore a place to return to.
What did you find when you entered the Universidad Europea?
On the one hand, it was a bit hard the first few years because it was fundamentals, but I still knew I liked it. Besides, I was motivated to see the subjects I would take in the next years.
On the other hand, I felt a bit confused because it was the COVID period, without contact, with online classes, without so much interaction. Luckily after 4 years I have been able to get to know my classmates, a class that I am grateful to have as it is an educational environment, fun and always willing to help.
You are now in your fourth year, you have two years left. But you entered in the middle of the pandemic, what was it like?
When I came in, we had already finished the confinement. There were restrictions, but everything serious had already happened. In high school I had already practiced the online methodology. The worst thing was to think that it was my first year and I wondered how everything would develop from now on (mask, online classes...). Whether you want it or not, everything is not so close, but there is less contact and interaction with your classmates. However, as I mentioned above, this gets sorted out over time.
You recently received the WOMNOW award, what does this recognition consist of?
I have been selected among just over 1000 candidates as a recipient of a scholarship from the WonNow Awards, a joint initiative between CaixaBank and Microsoft Ibérica. These awards are aimed at female students of STEM degrees, with the objective of promoting gender equality and recognizing academic excellence, as well as professional and social performance in this field.
The scholarship includes a stipend to work at CaixaBank, as well as participation in a Mentoring program provided by Microsoft.
I found out about it through the university. I got an email and decided to apply. And the day I found out that I was one of the selected ones I was very happy, I called my mother... but it was a contained emotion because even though I was one of the pre-selected, it might not be definitive. When I was finally told yes, I was radiant.
For me, this achievement symbolizes a breakthrough in my academic and professional career. Every step I have taken, from studying a double degree in Computer Engineering and Mathematical Engineering to participating in volunteer projects in Italy and Poland on sustainability, as well as my work experiences as a waitress and basketball instructor, have been supported by this scholarship. It fills me with gratitude, enthusiasm and motivation to know that all my effort and dedication have been recognized.
I feel not only privileged and proud, but also grateful to these entities for giving me the opportunity to participate and also to my mothers who have worked and sacrificed so much for me to be here right now.
You say that they also reward the professional background, what background did you have at the time you were selected?
I guess they took into account my whole career as a person: sustainability volunteering in Sicily and Poland, working as a basketball instructor and waitress, leaving my comfort zone (Mallorca) to Madrid to study... In short, I think that some actions of your life describe you as a person and if you look at all the winners we surely have at least one thing in common, illusion or ambition to continue our career to the maximum.
How do you combine so many initiatives with your studies?
On the one hand, I did my volunteer work during the summer, so it was easy. The waitressing job was also during the summer season (the job where I learned the most). However, I was a basketball instructor during the 2nd year of high school, but since it wasn't a lot of hours, it wasn't a big problem for me.
As for now it's easy if we talk in "physical" terms, that is, practice in the morning, afternoon class and sports in the afternoon/evening. Then it is true that I also leave a little time (when I can) for myself and of course to be with my friends so that the stress does not overtake me.
It is simply a question of organization.
What does the scholarship you are starting now consist of?
The scholarship consists of an internship at Caixabank (I started on October 2) for 6 months. At the moment, I am very grateful to my boss who is there introducing me and explaining me everything I don't understand. Basically I am in charge of following up commercial actions of the clients.
The scholarship lasts six months. How do you combine it with your studies?
It's easy. I do my internship from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. in the morning. In the afternoon I go to class. Although it changes depending on the day, but it never overlaps.
When you finish in April, what are your goals?
I'm not sure. I am told that there are options and possibilities to get a contract. I think this year I would be able to combine it, but I'm not sure I can do it next year. I would have to evaluate it because I also have other plans such as Erasmus. I have these internal doubts, I am in a reflective process.
It seems that there is now a slight change in trend and that we now find more women in STEAM careers. How important are these initiatives and profiles like yours in this change?
We were talking about it with the awardees. I think there has been a clear improvement. These initiatives help to do so. I personally have not encountered any obstacles, which does not mean that in my double degree we are less women, especially in the area of computer science.
What would you say to future generations of STEAM women who may see in you a reference profile?
That all the journey that there has been or the difference in numbers between men and women in the STEAM area will never be a limitation to enroll and dedicate themselves professionally to what they like.