Welcome to the first of many NAVBLUE Employee Spotlight Features! We’ve created these stories with the goal of shining a spotlight on the pivotal role our employees play in the tech and aviation field, their journeys so far, and how NAVBLUE aims to create an innovative and inclusive workforce with their help.
Today we are sharing the story of Bianca Marigomen, Senior Software Developer at NAVBLUE.
Fun Facts
-
- She has two adorable cockapoo dogs and one red-eared slider (which if you didn’t know is a type of turtle!)
- She enjoys making crochet tops in her spare time
- Bianca is a huge horror movie fan and even has a small movie collection to boast about!
Q&A
Thanks for joining us Bianca! Can you tell us a little bit about our background and who you are?
I’m a Senior Software Developer here at NAVBLUE! I graduated from Software Engineering at McMaster University and spent the majority of my early career in the Simulation & Defense Industry.
What led you to pursue a career in Software Development?
Prior to University, I didn’t have any background knowledge in software development besides creating personal web pages using HTML/CSS. Because of my interests in math and science, I chose to attend the McMaster Engineering program, which is where I was introduced to my very first programming courses. I quickly discovered that there was something very satisfying about writing a piece of code and seeing your programs come to life! The programming courses were challenging at first, but that didn’t stop me from furthering my education in Software Engineering in my second year.
What’s something specific about your role at NAVBLUE that you love doing?
I joined NAVBLUE in 2021, so I am still relatively new to the company! Every week there is something new to learn and new challenges to overcome. I love working with the many other talented developers at NAVBLUE and seeing how our products continuously evolve.
Can you tell us a bit about a favorite project that you’ve worked on here at NAVBLUE?
I am glad to be a part of the Mission+ team working on the first Electronic Flight Assistant for pilots. It was exciting to see Mission+ officially launch at the Dubai Airshow a few months ago!
What are some of the unique challenges women face in tech?
Many women find themselves being the representation that they wish they had, which can carry a heavy responsibility. I have been lucky enough to work with and have been mentored by many amazing women Software Developers in my career, and I think it’s important to have that support circle around you.
What do you think more companies should do to attract and retain women in tech-intensive industries?
Make an effort to include diversity in the workplace and train employees on unconscious gender bias. There are a lot of stereo-types currently ingrained in society about the type of person that works in tech, and companies should aim to disprove those stereotypes.
Now that you do work in aviation, what do you find exciting about the industry and working at NAVBLUE?
NAVBLUE is really leading the way in digitizing the aviation industry and it’s rewarding to be a part of that technological innovation!
What are some words of advice you would give to other women who are considering pursuing a career in tech?
There are SO many different career paths and industries in technology. Find out what you’re passionate about and rest assured there will be a role in tech that is related to your passion! Remember that you don’t have to be THE BEST right away, as long as you can continue to learn and grow, you will find success in tech!
___
Interested in joining our Software Development Team? We are hiring!
