Overcoming Obstacles as a New Mother

Itziar S. | Field Marketing Manager | Panama

Originally Published: June 20, 2022

Itziar S. is a Field Marketing Manager at Dell Technologies Panama and has recently become a mom. She shared with us her experience with maternity and remote work.

How do you feel about working remotely? Working remotely has been wonderful for me. I have a 16-month-old baby and being at home has allowed me not only to see her grow, but also to be an active part raising her on a day-to-day basis.

How do you ensure balance in your daily life at Dell? When you like what you do, it is very difficult to know when to stop, the work is not a burden for you, and you do not always give the importance of taking time for yourself. Nowadays, I take an hour to teach my daughter how to swim. It is one of the most enriching things in my life to be able to disconnect from work for a while and be able to take care of my baby when she needs it. This makes you come back to work with more energy and enthusiasm.

What is your favorite part of working at Dell? My favorite part of working at Dell is the philosophy and culture, this makes everyone who works at the company feel like family. Also, being able to bring out your personality and knowing that you will not be judged for being who you are.

What excites you about your organization/your role? The possibilities and opportunities that you have to grow, knowing that there are no limits and that with dedication you can become whoever you set out to be in this company.

Tell us a little more about your experience before joining Dell and why Dell was key in helping you feel better about your personal and work life.

About 3-4 months before I started working at Dell, I had a miscarriage due to a condition in my blood, thrombophilia. I had depression, due to the hormonal disaster and the immense disappointment of losing something that I wanted so much. When you have depression, you can't always see the bright side of things, so everything in my life looked gray. I had been trying to get into Dell for 3 years at that time, and on my interview’s day I had a panic attack a few minutes before. I was so nervous that I’ve never thought I would make it. My husband and I had made the decision to leave Panama and we were looking for flight tickets on the internet when I received a call from Dell to announce that I’ve been selected for the role. Dell was my hope after that day.

I joined Dell on September 3, 2018, and I was received by Lucia R., who would become my manager a year later. She gave me the enthusiasm of feeling that we work for a bigger purpose, that our work at Dell Technologies, although not everyone can see, are behind EVERYTHING that is important in the world: schools, hospitals, social networks, universities, telecommunications companies, etc. We help move the world and there is nothing more beautiful than knowing that you are helping to leave a footprint in the world.

Today I have a 16-month-old baby. I had a pregnancy full of physical complications but light on emotional burdens. The flexibility of being able to be at home, of having a manager who supports you, understands your needs and invites you to always put family first, is priceless. Being able to have opportunities even while pregnant shows me that I am in the right place, where I don't have to choose between being a mom and being a professional. I will always be grateful to this company, but above all to the great leaders who taught me, and the ones who teach me every day how to be a better professional and a better person.

To learn more and apply online, visit jobs.dell.com.