JULIANA PEREZ ALCANTARA
Please tell us a little bit about yourself and about your role at Tuum
I am from Mexico, but I moved to Estonia four years ago. I must admit, before I hadn’t heard much about Estonia. However, now I’m truly pleased to call this place home. And my dogs love it here too!
I studied software development, but I began my professional journey in sales. Currently, at Tuum, I serve as a Technical Product Analyst. In simple terms, I bridge the gap between customers and developers by translating user requirements into technical specifications. My role is very versatile — while I recommend product enhancements to better cater to the customers, I also have to have a good understanding of our product’s capabilities to ensure we set realistic expectations and do not overburden the team.
What’s the best advice you’ve ever received at work?
One invaluable piece of advice I’ve received from a former manager is to “never stop learning.” Knowledge isn’t just an asset; it’s the engine that propels progress forward. It equips us to make informed decisions, solve problems, foster critical thinking, and drive innovation. At Tuum, we value innovation greatly.
If you could switch jobs with anyone in the company for a day, who would it be and why?
I’d love to step into the shoes of our CTO. My current role focuses on specific modules, but the CTO has a panoramic view, understanding intricate technical details of our offerings. I’m also curious about how technical nuances align with business objectives. Our CTO brings a lot of expertise to the table — shadowing him would be very insightful. Alternatively, I’d consider joining our sales team to gain insights into their sales pipeline and deal-making processes. It’s always exciting to learn something new.
What is the most adventurous or daring thing you’ve ever done in your life?
I have a repertoire of wild tales! One that stands out involves rafting in southern Mexico. It was a thrilling two-hour journey where the river’s strong currents culminated in a waterfall. Although we did half a day of training before, the experience was both exhilarating as well as terrifying. Despite our efforts to control our course, the currents occasionally left us feeling helpless. The rocky waters even tested the expertise of seasoned rafters, but we still managed to do quite well. Though it was a pulse-pounding experience I cherish, I wouldn’t venture into it again.
What is the most challenging dish you’ve ever cooked?
My passion for cooking often leads me to experiment with complex recipes. One such dish is Mole, a traditional Mexican delicacy, similar to Indian curry. Boasting a list of over 40 ingredients — from dried chillies and spices to even chocolate — you create a dense paste. This is then diluted with chicken or vegetable broth, typically served over chicken, and paired with rice. Perfecting Mole requires meticulous preparation and a keen sense of balance to prevent it from becoming excessively sweet, sour, or bitter. My initial attempt was decent, a tad too sweet for my liking. Though you can find pre-made paste nowadays, traditionally, Mole was made from scratch, often during grand celebrations like weddings, turning the preparation itself into a festive gathering.
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