Name: Andreina Guastella Ferrer
Title: Product Manager, Freshwater Species, EMEA Division
Company: BioMar
Please introduce yourself
My name is Andreina, I am 36 years old. I hold a BSc in Environmental Sciences, and a MSc in Aquaculture and Fishery Resources Management. A fun fact…As a kid I hated fish and now my whole life revolves around fish. So never say never!
How did you imagine your career when you were around 20 years old?
At 20 years old I had already started my path into sciences, however, at that age, I still didn’t have a clear idea of what I really wanted to do once I finished my studies. I never liked to overthink too much about the future, and just let myself enjoy the journey. The most amazing things happen precisely when you are not expecting them or planning them at all. The only thing I had clear is that no matter what I ended up doing, it had to be something fulfilling where I had the chance to make a difference. So, if you are 20 and you still haven’t figured out your career path, trust me, it is totally ok.
What does a day in your life look like in your current role?
Any given day in my current role as Product Manager, is not like the previous one. I am in a changing and dynamic industry where you must be well prepared to face the unknown as soon as you open your eyes. My day could go from a quiet one doing office work, replying to emails, reviewing reports from R&D, developing products, to crazy busy days solving major urgent problems or traveling abroad visiting fish farms.
What motivates and excites you the most about your career path and the leadership position you hold?
The first thing is that I am lucky to love my job, and that is the first step to be motivated every day, to be passionate about what you do and have fun while doing it. Furthermore, it also excites me to solve real life problems, to bring tangible solutions to life.
Share with us the biggest lessons you learned on your journey to where you are today.
On our personal journeys we will always find people who influence us in different ways, some good and some, unfortunately not good. Every time I feel like I am losing sight of who I am or what I believe in, I stay away from that.
I’ve learned to trust my gut feeling and always stick to what feels right.
Tell us about a role model who inspired you to become the leader you are today.
My mom has been a constant role model in my life. As the owner of her own business, I learned first-hand about the vicissitudes of entrepreneurship. I have seen her at her lowest and at her highest. She taught me the importance of constancy to achieve your dreams, no matter the obstacles.
If you could give one piece of advice to your younger self, or to other young female students today, what would it be?
Listen to others, look for advice, but don’t ever let other people to set the limitations on what you can or can’t do. Stay focused on what you want and believe in yourself to achieve it.
How do you see STEM education shaping the future?
As a society, we are currently facing challenges that are becoming bigger and more pressuring to solve. I see STEM education providing new generations with a set of skills that will prepare them to face the unknown with critical thinking and outside-the-box solutions.
Why is it important for you to promote diversity and inclusion within STEM?
Diversity is important at all levels. Multidisciplinary teams that bring together people with different cultures, social backgrounds, points of views and experiences, can only enrich the pool of knowledge and skills to tackle complex problems. Diversity is necessary to spawn an environment of creativity and innovation.