I first graduated in Marketing in 2018, but over time I realized my real passion was in technology. Moving to Ireland was a big turning point, I currently work as a Sustainability Leader at Sandymount Hotel, which has helped me grow professionally. Now, I'm studying IT and combining everything I’ve learned, marketing, sustainability, leadership, and tech, to shape a career that truly excites me.

The people who have most influenced my career direction are, first of all, my parents. They always encouraged me to do my best and take work seriously from a young age. My college professors have also had a strong impact, especially by inspiring my interest in IT. More recently, our hotel accountant, who previously led the Green Team, has been a big influence. She passed the sustainability role on to me and continues to support and guide me in this journey.

I've been working in the Food & Beverage department at The Sandymount Hotel for the past few years. I was always very interested in the hotel's sustainability efforts and regularly supported the Green Team in any way I could. In 2024, the management decided to officially create the role of Sustainability Leader. Because they saw how passionate and involved I was in sustainability initiatives, they offered me the position directly, there was no formal application or interview process. I was really excited to accept the opportunity and take on more responsibility in an area I care deeply about.

"A typical day as a Sustainability Leader involves a mix of planning, communication, and hands-on tasks. I often start by checking in with different departments (Housekeeping, Maintenance, F&B, Reception, and Marketing...) to see how our sustainability initiatives are progressing. I could spend the day tracking energy and waste data, follow up on action plans, and look for areas where we can improve. The role is very rewarding, especially when we hit our goals or introduce new ideas that actually make a difference. Every small change, like reducing plastic use or improving recycling in a specific department, feels like a win."

One of the main challenges in my role is keeping up with the detailed data tracking, monitoring energy consumption, carbon emissions, and water usage accurately and consistently. Also, balancing the demands of sustainability initiatives alongside my other responsibilities means I need to stay organized and adaptable, which helps me grow professionally.

What I really like about my job is that I get to make a real, visible difference, not just inside the hotel, but also in the local community. I’ve had the chance to take part in projects like volunteering with Meals on Wheels, organizing clean-up events in the area, and checking up on biodiversity in our hotel garden. It’s cool to be part of something that connects people and the environment in a positive way. I love the variety, as one day I’m coordinating departments on how to reduce energy or waste, and another day I’m outside tracking pollinators.

"I bring strong communication and teamwork skills from my F&B experience, which help me work well with different departments. I’m organized and detail-oriented, especially when tracking energy and emissions data. But most importantly, I'm very passionate about sustainability, adaptable, and eager to learn, which I think it makes me a good fit for this role."

In Brazil, high school subjects are standard for everyone, so the real influence on my career path came during and after college. I first studied International Trade, then graduated in Marketing, which helped me develop communication and project management skills. I also did a minor in International Business and Accounting through an exchange program in the Netherlands. Later, I took a basic front-end programming course, which sparked my interest in tech. That’s when I realized I wanted to shift my career and start a Bachelor's in IT, which I’m currently doing. In hindsight, I might have explored IT earlier, but all these steps gave me valuable experience that I now bring into my current role.

I graduated in 2018 with a degree in Marketing in Brazil. I also completed a minor in International Business and Accounting through an exchange program in the Netherlands. Later, I took a short course in front-end programming, which sparked my interest in technology. Currently, I’m pursuing a Bachelor’s degree in IT in Ireland to fully shift my career into the tech field. So yes, I’ve continued with further education to follow my passion and build a new professional path.

The most important aspects of my education for my current job have been project management and communication skills from my Marketing degree. These help me a lot when coordinating with different departments. My minor in International Business and Accounting also gave me a better understanding of data and reporting, which I use when tracking sustainability metrics. More recently, the IT modules I'm studying, especially those related to data handling and systems are becoming increasingly relevant as sustainability work relies more on digital tools and analysis.

One of the most rewarding moments in my career so far has been stepping into the role of Sustainability Leader at the Sandymount Hotel. I’m proud of helping to reactivate the Green Team, bringing different departments together to work on real improvements like reducing waste, supporting local community projects like Meals on Wheels and clean-up days, and monitoring biodiversity in our hotel garden. It’s fulfilling to see people get more engaged with sustainability, and I’d love to be remembered as someone who made a positive impact, both within the workplace and in the community.

I think some of the personal qualities that help me most in my career are being organised, approachable, and genuinely curious. I’ve always been someone who likes solving problems and finding better ways to do things, which fits well with sustainability work. I’m also very supportive and enjoy working with people, which helps me bring different departments together and keep everyone engaged.

Yes, my job does allow me to have a lifestyle I’m happy with. However, it can be challenging at times to balance responsibilities between two departments in my current role. It requires good time management and adaptability, but I enjoy the work and find it rewarding.

To succeed in this job, you need to be passionate about sustainability, organized, and a good communicator. Being comfortable with data tracking is also important. People often overlook how much teamwork matters, real change only happens when you get everyone involved and inspired.

• Passion: You need to truly care about sustainability to stay motivated.
• Organization: Tracking progress across departments kind of requires strong planning skills.
• Communication: You must be able to engage and motivate others to get involved and stay on board.

Yes, I’ve been actively upskilling through funded sustainability courses offered by Fáilte Ireland, Skillnet, and the Sustainable Hospitality Alliance. These trainings have helped me better understand areas like energy efficiency, waste reduction, and sustainable practices in hospitality. In the future, I’d like to take more advanced training in environmental management systems and data analysis tools to strengthen both my sustainability work and IT background.

Work experience in hospitality, especially roles that involve teamwork and customer service, provides a great foundation. Experience supporting or leading projects, like health and safety, quality control, or any team-based initiatives, also helps build relevant skills. Volunteering or working with environmental or community groups, such as local clean-up events or charity programs, gives a good 'taster' of the sustainability focus. Even basic data handling and tracking can be useful preparation.

Sustainability Leader at The Sandymount Hotel in Dublin.