Fernando Cabarique started as a Senior Software Developer at Fluent in September. Cabarique thinks that good communication, team work and employees’ well-being provide the keys to achieve the goals desired.
Fluent’s team was again supplemented with some new expertise, as Fernando Cabarique started as a Senior Software Developer at Fluent in the end of September. Cabarique came to Fluent after working for Blancco Technology Group in Joensuu for approximately two years.
”I was looking for some new challenges when I found the Fluent’s job announcement. The humour in the advertisement really appealed to me, and I felt that I want to be a part of something like that”, Cabarique recalls.
Columbian-based Cabarique originally studied physics in his former hometown Bogota. He completed both his bachelor’s and master’s degrees in theoretical physics , but at the same time he had the urge to do something more practical.
”When I was studying, I started to do some programming on the side, like as a hobby. I knew I liked it, but at first it kind of stayed on the side of physics”, Cabarique says.
Eventually he ended up doing a Ph.D in machine learning and applied robotics in Stockholm in 2017, but it didn’t quite feel like something that he would like to study more deeply. Through a friend, he ended up working in a company in the IT field, which served as a springboard for his career as a software developer.
”During the pandemic I met my girlfriend, who was studying in Oulu at the time, and long story short, we ended up living together in Joensuu in 2022”, Cabarique says.
A deep dive into the world of maintenance
Fernando Cabarique states that street and road maintenance and sports facility maintenance field is something completely new to him, but also something he finds extremely interesting.
”On one hand it is something that’s just there and you kind of take it for granted. But on the other hand, when you are on the executing side of the whole subject, you realize how much work there is to be done.”
It also feels that the work that we are doing really has a meaning, which is always motivating.
Cabarique is looking forward to Fluent’s possible expansion to other countries and seeing how the processes in the maintenance field differ in each country.
”I think it’s super interesting, and it also feels that the work that we are doing really has a meaning, which is always motivating.”
Team work is the key
Fernando Cabarique says he highly appreciates the way of working at Fluent, as according to his experience, the working methods can vary a lot depending on the country, culture and company.
”In some of my previous work places, the days could go like this: I go to work in the morning, stare at the screen the whole day without necessarily speaking to anyone, and then I go home , which can make you feel pretty lonely”, Cabarique states.
”Also, sometimes there can be very rigid processes and poor communication and that makes it hard to see the impact of one’s work and to be motivated.”
I can not describe how freeing it is to just be able to be yourself in a working environment – it has a remarkable effect on one’s well-being.
Cabarique thinks a permissive working environment where everybody can speak with everybody without excessive hierarchy and where smooth communication is appreciated, is important and highly encouraging for the employees.
”Even though I don’t know everything yet and there’s still much to learn, the way we do everything as a team makes me feel like I can just throw in my ideas and contribute already, which is great. I can not describe how freeing it is to just be able to be yourself in a working environment – it has a remarkable effect on one’s well-being”, Cabarique ponders.
”It is of course very important to do things proprely and with ambition, but it is also important to be humane, have some humour and bond with the team.”
Joensuu fits like a glove
Even though Fernando Cabarique loves team work, he admits being an introvert, for whom Joensuu as a hometown fits like a glove.
”I’m also a nature lover, and because of that I feel right at home in Joensuu, as it is not too crowded here and nature is always nearby.”
On his free time Cabarique likes to go cycling, do a little bit of exercise and read books, for example.
”I also love spending time with my family. What I do outside of work always depends on the season: gardening, hiking, skiing – there are so many things to try it feels there is not enough time to do everything I’d like to do”, Cabarique laughs.
