Alumni Stories: A Conversation with Rita Martins

In our ongoing series celebrating Focus BC alumni, we sat down with Rita Martins, who joined the company as a GIS Consultant in 2018 and now works as a GIS Specialist in Frankfurt. She looks back on her time with us, sharing honest memories, the lessons she took with her, and the team spirit that made Focus BC such a special place to work.

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1. You joined Focus BC as a GIS Consultant. What brought you to the company and what do you remember most about your early days on the team?

I joined Focus BC because I was looking for an opportunity in GIS. I spotted a vacancy on LinkedIn, applied right away, and after the interview, they liked me, and I joined the team.

At the time, we were in a different building, sharing the space with other companies in an open space, but a welcoming and fun environment. I was shy because it was my first job in the field, so everything was new. I had never used Jira before, and it was also my first experience in a tech startup environment. Agile methods, Jira… it was all brand new to me.

2. Can you share a project or experience during your time at Focus BC that really shaped how you see your work today?

One project that really stood out was with UEFA and I absolutely loved it. We started with venue management and my role was to digitize all the stadium blueprints and set up the facilities according to the client’s needs and vision.

We had a lot of feedback from UEFA, with many meetings involving developers and team leads. Being the GIS person, I was right in the middle of it. I learned so much, not just technical skills but also interpersonal skills, like how to communicate effectively with clients. That way of working really left a mark on me.

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FUN FACT!

Looking back, the UEFA project was the starting point for what would eventually become our Virtual Venue platform. The need for a collaborative, map-centric, and fully digital space where all event stakeholders could work together in real time. What began as a rapid solution for one of the world’s most prestigious football events has since evolved into a comprehensive tool helping sports organizations plan, adapt, and deliver world-class events anywhere in the world.

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"When I think of good memories, besides the ones I’ve already mentioned, going to the Web Summit with the company definitely stands out. But honestly, the best memories came from the everyday moments, working side by side with such a great team." Rita Martins, Focus BC Alumni

3. Focus BC is known for its collaborative culture. Was there someone or something that deeply influenced you while you were here?

Yes, the Managing Partners. They were directly involved in our projects, and I know from experience that not every company is like that. The team spirit at Focus BC was always strong. I loved our “tech share” moments, our lunches together, and the kick-offs, which were great moments of connection.

I also learned a lot from people I worked closely with: Sandro Batista, during the UEFA project, and Alana Coelho, when I moved to the City as a Platform project, who patiently guided me through processes and was always ready to help when I had questions.

4. How has your experience at Focus BC contributed to your professional growth?

It helped me a lot, especially in understanding how an IT company works, from processes and organization to methodology. It shaped my mindset, taught me about teamwork, and the importance of being open to others’ ideas.

"I learned so much, not just technical skills but also interpersonal skills, like how to communicate effectively with clients. That way of working really left a mark on me." Rita Martins, Focus BC Alumni

5. You’re now a GIS Specialist. What’s the best advice you’d give someone just starting in the field?

Apply, talk to companies, go to interviews. Show your passion for GIS and your eagerness to learn. My own academic path was through my bachelor’s and master’s degrees, not necessarily through work experience, but I was determined to learn.

Don’t think that a lack of work experience means your opinion won’t matter. Make sure to listen, really listen, to those who have been in the field longer. You can learn so much from them, and that’s something I gradually learned to do over time. Another important point is not to rush or try to do everything quickly just to prove yourself. I used to be very anxious about that, but it improved with time.

"The team spirit at Focus BC was always strong. I loved our “tech share” moments, our lunches together, and the kick-offs, which were great moments of connection." Rita Martins, Focus BC Alumni

6. What’s one skill or mindset you developed at Focus BC that you still carry with you in your work today?

One thing I took from Focus BC is the importance of bringing positive energy to the workplace. Even if I have personal challenges, I try to show up with a smile and create a good atmosphere for those around me. Staying positive makes the day better for everyone, including me.

7. If you had the whole Focus BC team in front of you right now, what would you want to say to them?

I think about them often. If I were still in Portugal, I’d probably still be working at Focus BC.

Most of the time, when people say they enjoy the team spirit at work, it’s just something nice to say, even if it’s not really true. At Focus BC, it was genuine. 

The team spirit was real, and so was the fact that people truly cared about your goals. Every quarter there was open communication, and you always knew which projects were starting or ending. That really impressed me.

Bonus Question: A Memory to Remember

When I think of good memories, besides the ones I’ve already mentioned, going to the Web Summit with the company definitely stands out. But honestly, the best memories came from the everyday moments, working side by side with such a great team. I even used to play happy music on Monday mornings, and because of that, Mondays never really felt like Mondays to me at Focus BC. It was a place where I was truly happy.

Rita’s journey is a beautiful reminder that it’s the people, the shared challenges, and the supportive culture that make a workplace unforgettable.

If you missed the first story in our Alumni Series, you can read João Franco’s journey here 👉 https://www.focus-bc.com/post/alumni-stories-joao-franco