Interview with Elisabete Rodrigues: Técnico Taguspark in a word

The word chosen by Elisabete to describe the Taguspark campus, where she has worked for 14 years, was “Home”: “Taguspark transcends the simple concept of a workplace, becoming an extension of my home.” Elisabete further emphasizes that due to the more compact size of the campus, it’s possible to know most people, creating a warm and familiar environment, which is a starkly different reality from what she experienced when working at Alameda, where the size and dynamics vary significantly.

Born and raised in Amadora, on the outskirts of Lisbon, Elisabete recalls a childhood filled with happiness. She grew up in a time when technology wasn’t as advanced, allowing her to spend long hours playing outdoors. “Our days were spent outside with my friends, which gave us a sense of freedom and well-being that is being lost,” Elisabete reveals. When comparing her childhood with that of her children, Elisabete notes that they had completely different experiences: “Nowadays, children are more confined to screens and technology, whereas we were more free to roam,” she shares.

Elisabete always showed herself to be an outgoing child, a good student, and her interest in the financial area sparked early on: “I really liked math, I loved doing calculations and playing with cash registers.” Her path eventually led her to study management, an area in which she graduated from the Universidade Aberta, combining her university studies with her professional career: “I started working at 19, already in the financial area when I entered college, so it was very easy to decide that I wanted to graduate in management,” she explains.

This same professional experience was actually Elisabete’s entry into Técnico: “At the time, they needed someone for a short-term job, I entered temporarily and ended up staying. I moved through different departments, from project management to treasury and accounting, a career always linked to the financial area, and things unfolded until today.”

Elisabete has been working at Técnico for 30 years, 14 of which were spent at Taguspark, currently holding the position of coordinator of the Administrative and Financial Management Area at Taguspark. “I really like what I do and I feel very fulfilled working in AGAFT, not only for the technical work but also in terms of contact with people.” Elisabete also expresses her desire to continue progressing and learning in her field: “It’s part of my plans to continue studying, I think it’s essential to avoid stagnation.”

In this sense, she has already had the opportunity to pursue a postgraduate degree in a partnership between Técnico and Universidade Aberta, in Information and Business Systems, and plans to continue participating in additional training.

Regarding Elisabete’s motivations, she shares that the true sense of reward comes from witnessing the realization of projects that contribute to the campus’s development. “When we see the result of our effort and realize that we made a difference in someone’s life, helping to solve problems or improving the community’s experience in some way, I consider that a victory.” She also highlights the importance of teamwork to implement initiatives that directly affect the community, describing teamwork as essential for success. “I like to work side by side with my team in an environment that allows for knowledge sharing. In my perspective, a good leader should closely follow colleagues’ work and offer necessary support whenever possible,” she shares.

During her leisure time, Elisabete enjoys dedicating time to activities that bring her relaxation and well-being, such as meditation, pilates, hiking, and traveling. “I meditate daily, it’s essential to slow down and find balance,” she confides. Elisabete also volunteers in the partnership between Técnico and Serve the City, an initiative whose purpose goes beyond simply providing food to the homeless, focusing mainly on serving people with empathy and dignity.

The vision that Elisabete leaves for future generations consists of the importance of cohesion and common commitment to the college’s growth: “wearing the jersey,” the sense of belonging is very important in how we approach work, making it much easier. It’s great to feel that we are all working towards a common good, which is Técnico’s success.”