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AsKin Questions to Eva Selman, Senior Technical Consultant

AsKinQuestions Background

Our name is intentional. “Kin” refers to family and “Carta” refers to maps. When together, we’re Kin + Carta — a group of connected makers, builders and creators, who come together everyday to help our clients build experiences and plot a clear path forward in today’s digital world. Carta is what we do, Kin is who we are.

AsKin Questions is a series that brings the day-to-day experiences of working at Kin + Carta to light, all through the eyes of our Kin. And today, it’s Eva Selman, Senior Technical Consultant, who we asked some questions to.

AsKinQuestions Background

Can you share some fun facts about yourself?

Of course! To start, my actual name is Evangelina but everybody calls me Eva. I love animals and currently I have two dogs and three cats. However, in my previous house, we had a lot of cats. At one time it even got to the point when we had more than 20. That makes me a ‘cat lady’, right?


Wow, that’s a lot of felines! Now tell us more about your role here at Kin + Carta.

I'm both a developer and in a leadership role. In the past I’ve been involved in an energy project with colleagues who were based in the UK, and since last December I’ve been working on a project related to agriculture. This project is really impactful, as we are developing an application to help farmers understand the best time to plant and harvest their crops. All of the work I’ve been involved with since joining Kin + Carta and the insights from the projects have been possible through how we leverage data.

Beyond how impactful my work as a consultant has been, one of the things that has also surprised me is how straightforward it can be to switch technologies. Once you learn one language, it makes it so much easier to pivot and learn another one!


What’s been your favorite experience at Kin + Carta so far?

What I like the most is how the company feels like one big family, even though I personally only know just a handful. I think this comes down to the excellent communication across Kin + Carta. If I have a question relating to anything, I can go to a channel on Slack and find the answer straight away, even from people I have never met. I know I can find help within my team who are always willing to support me, but beyond that, we're all connected here as Kin, no matter where we’re based in the world.


What’s a tough challenge you've faced at work?

One of the biggest challenges has been enabling myself and my teams to be fully comfortable participating in meetings and offering opinions. Some people are naturally shy and would rather not speak up, so I try my best to create safe spaces for all to contribute. I find that this mentality to create comfortable spaces for all individuals is common across Kin + Carta. Beyond this, I personally try to empower the individuals on my team to push themselves outside of their comfort zone by sharing their thoughts, as all of our ideas are essential for the success of our projects.


How did you end up working in technology?

When I was in high school, my career advisor suggested that I should become a systems engineer. I wasn’t totally sure what that entailed, but I knew it was related to computers. So, I decided to jump right in and do it. At university I learned more about technology careers in general, and this not only led to a job, but where I am today.


What would you say to someone wanting to start a career in technology?

I’d tell them to not be afraid! You can do it. It's not as difficult as you think to learn about and begin working with technology. Just jump right in and go for it.


Do you have any specific advice for women in tech?

I feel lucky because I’ve always felt included in every team, sometimes made up mostly of men. If you have something to say then say it. We’re all equal and all have a valid opinion. Never feel like you don’t matter and the fact you’re a woman is irrelevant.


How do you contribute to building a world that works better for everyone?

Being part of Kin + Carta not only has had a professional impact on me, but also has inspired me on a more personal level. I’ve tried to educate myself more about environmental problems, because I had little idea about it before. So I have been learning a lot, focusing on recycling and being more careful with how we use our resources at work. We all have a part to play in saving the planet, no matter how big or small.

Want to join Eva and work on projects that matter alongside an exceptional group of Kin?

Apply now

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