Meet Sandra
What is your job title?
I am a Database Administrator in the Cloud and Hosting Services team.
How do you see your role going forward?
My role is always changing. That is one of the beauties of being a DBA: you are always learning and evolving.
Where did you complete your studies?
I did my bachelor’s degree in Bogota, Colombia (South America). I then did a Masters Degree in Computing Engineering focusing on security. Right now, I am pursuing my MBA at Telfer at uOttawa.
What is your secret superpower?
My secret superpower is sensitivity to other people’s feelings. I can read between the lines, especially with my family and friends. I can see when they need support or a boost of positive energy. I love to be there to provide that and to live a happy moment with them.
In which countries have you lived or which ones have you visited?
I lived in Colombia until 2001, and Canada has been my home since then. I have visited Iceland, Ecuador, Mexico, Panama, and the United States.
What is your hidden passion?
Fitness, I absolutely love exercising. I am mainly a runner (a half-marathon runner), but I also love cross country skiing in the winter, skating, biking, swimming, yoga, strength training, and dancing. This summer I started to learn paddling.
What is your guilty indulgence?
Ice cream and dark chocolate.
What is your unknown / hidden talent?
Dancing.
What is the best advice you’ve been given?
Live your life to the fullest and treat everyone with empathy and respect.
What are you learning now, and why is it important?
Leadership and management skills. Regardless of the job title that you have, leadership is very important. The action of one person can have a significant impact in other people’s lives. I would like to advance in my career and have a wider positive impact at the university and in our community.
What three words would your friends use to describe you?
Fun, kind, and energetic.