In this article, we want to introduce Carmen Maymo, our Developer. When Carmen joined our agency as a WordPress Engineer in November 2019, we asked her a few questions to get to know her a little better.
By the way: The Syde Team is 100% remote
This enables us to bring together the best minds in the world in one team. You want to learn more about our way of working and the Syders? Take a look inside Syde!
This is Carmen Maymo
Carmen lives in Como, Italy.
Originally, I am from Spain. When I was 23, I moved to Italy. Here, I started studying informatics which was quite the right choice for me. The ability to build systems from thin air just by writing words is amazing. I like to solve problems, to challenge myself. It’s also amazing how fast this industry changes. It’s full of new possibilities and subjects.
Do you remember a little story that describes you?
I don’t know if this describes me fully, but here it is: When I was 12 years old, I was studying clarinet and my teacher told me to buy a professional one instead of renting one from the school, in order to get better at it. So, I went home and asked my parents to help me buy it, but they explained to me that I also needed braces. They could not afford both, the clarinet and the dental treatment, and my health was more important. After some thinking ‒ remember, I was just 12 ‒ I went to a new dentist and paid him with my few savings to take the tooth that was causing trouble. When I got home, I told my most surprised parents that there was no need for treatments and that we now could buy the clarinet. I still have the clarinet with me.
You know, back then I was living in Valencia, a city of music. It felt like everyone in the neighborhood had a band. Those crazy parties you see in Spain, there is always a band or more. And I was one of these musicians. I entered a marching band that played at many events. It was great.
So, the clarinet was my job, my fun, my way of knowing new people for many years. I wouldn’t change that for a tooth!
How do you spend your spare time?
Taking a walk with my husband and having dinners with my friends. I also like watching movies and reading and I am a fan of many genres. So, it’s faster to tell what I don’t like. For example, I avoid horror because I have so much imagination. But I love science fiction and fantasy, for example by Brandon Sanderson. He creates new worlds, it’s like you can just walk there and visit a whole new universe. My favorite movie is Singin’ in the Rain and any movie by Woody Allen or Billy Wilder. I also hear podcasts, mainly about history and science.
Carmen’s way to Syde
I made my first degree in Audiovisual Communications because I was crazy about cinema and such and I like the scripting part, the creation of the story. After I finished my first degree, I studied informatics because I had realized how much I liked programming. When I started looking for job offers, I found Syde. The ad was saying something like “we value you”. I did the assignment and now I’m here. The Syde team was so open and reliable from the first talk that I thought there was no better place to be.
Now I have the chance to learn in a professional environment, the possibility to grow my skills with different exciting projects. I’m surrounded by people who craft their code with passion, so they are an inspiration. I like the fact that I deal with problems I never encountered before and I look forward to improving and helping to develop new great things. The plus is that I can work from home. I think remote working is one of the greatest improvements that technology has offered us.
Questions to Syder Carmen Maymo
We asked Carmen a few personal questions to give you the chance to learn more about her:
Which famous person was your hero as a child?
Gloria Fuertes, Andreu Buenafuente, Mario Benedetti.
What is the TV show you never miss?
Until this last season it was Game of Thrones, much before that the Gilmore Girls, Friends, Rome, Peaky Blinders. I watch a lot of things.
If you had a superpower, what would that be?
Time travel or teleportation, or both! Control over space and time!! Muahahaha (to read with an evil character voice)
Do you have a favorite karaoke song?
Lucia (Joan Manuel Serrat) but you don’t want to hear that, I assure you.
What is your favorite movie?
Friday night: cinema and dinner with friends.
Saturday: Morning walk, sofa time in the afternoon, dinner+concert/pub/dance at night.
Sunday: Sleep, read, watch Netflix. That would be perfect.
Describe your ideal weekend.
Answer
What was your first reaction when you were given a firm offer by Syde?
I think I jumped and shouted with joy. I was so happy, I still am.
What did you want to be when you were a child?
I wanted to be a writer and I am, I write code!
What was the best advice you ever got?
My sports teacher told me “el no ya lo tienes” which means, work/do/move to get it done, to achieve it, you have nothing to lose, because you are already in the place where you don’t have it, just try.
Did you have a nickname?
My name is really long (María del Carmen) so I’ve got multiples nicks to shorten it: Pitu, Meti, Carmeta, Mayen, May, McGyver.
While watching which movie did you cry the most?
Cinema Paradiso by Giuseppe Tornatore, I challenge you to see it without crying, it’s impossible.
What have you been in your previous life?
A rock in a river in one of these valleys.
What are you really good at?
Organizing things, I don’t like to waste time, so I try be efficient.
Have you ever met a celebrity in person?
Yes, Shakira, I was working on her tour. She used to have dinner with the crew before the concert for many days and she was a normal, nice, kind woman who enjoyed what she was doing.
What is your favorite smartphone app?
Whatsapp lets me keep in touch with family and friends back in Spain, would be difficult if it wouldn’t exist.
Which of your favorite TV shows is not on the air anymore?
Answer
What would be the slogan of your life?
Defend the joy as a trench (is not mine, it’s a verse of Mario Benedetti).
If the world ended tomorrow, what would you do on your last day?
I would gather with all the people I love and have a great party.
Superman, Batman, or Spider-Man?
The actor you mean? Henry Cavill’s Superman, of course. ?
Do you want to join the Syde team?
We are hiring! You can find all the current vacancies on our job page. Take a look!
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