ABSTRACT
While Vanda Franco begun her STEM career in marine chemistry and the pharmaceutical industry, she transitioned into the petrochemical industry and now works in the lubrication and reliability field in Qatar. She takes us on her journey of working in her home country of Portugal and the gaps she had to bridge being the youngest person on site who would later gain a management role. Her experiences within the field and the navigation of job hunting in a foreign country helps us to understand some of the challenges faced by women in our industry. She also gives us insight into becoming a mother during COVID and not being able to see her family until the restrictions were lifted.
