Bárbara Oliveira Medeiros discusses how change, while intimidating, often leads to significant career growth.

Amgen’s Bárbara Oliveira Medeiros, a specialist IS business system analyst, was always drawn to maths, numbers and chemistry, so engineering was for her a “natural fit”.

She told SiliconRepublic.com, “I studied chemical engineering in Brazil and originally planned to focus my career around industrial operations. That all changed after I graduated and I was introduced to data historian systems during an internship.”

When she saw how specialised databases could capture and organise process information from the plant floor her eyes were opened to the value of applying data in operational settings.

She said, “Over the course of a few years, I developed expertise in data and technology. Travelling down that path led me to Ireland and Amgen, which has given me the opportunity to combine my background in engineering with data analytics and business systems.”

You have worked across a range of industries, how do you develop skills to match expectations?

Working across industries has taught me that while each one has its own language, priorities and pace, many core skills are the same. Irrespective of the industry, the key is to stay curious and learn quickly when technical contexts change. In my experience, one constant is using data to understand operations, identify opportunities and support colleagues to work more effectively. I listen carefully, understand what matters most to each team and then connect that to the technical tools available. The technical side matters, but so does understanding the business problem behind the request. When you can do both, it becomes much easier to add value.

You relocated for your career, have you any advice for how to manage professional change?

Relocating from Brazil to Ireland was a big change. It was also one of my best life decisions. My advice is to be open to new opportunities, even if they aren’t part of your original career plan. And while a big change in your professional life can be uncomfortable, it is also where the biggest growth takes place. A new role, country and culture all take a lot of adjustment, so leave yourself time to settle in. When I relocated, I was fortunate for two reasons. First, Brazilians and Irish people have a lot in common, they are warm, friendly and have big hearts. It meant I settled in faster than expected, despite the change in weather. My other big advantage was working for Amgen. I joined in February 2025 and from day one, I was welcomed and supported.

What is the day-to-day like, if there is such a thing?

A typical day doesn’t exist and that’s one of the things I enjoy most about my job. The one constant is a focus on problem-solving across departments and functions. Colleagues come to my team with challenges related to data, reporting or process efficiency. Our job is to find solutions that make their work easier and more productive. That might mean automating part of a process, improving access to information or helping teams use data more effectively in decision-making. Some days are carefully planned, while others can change quickly if an urgent matter arises. It means that I often switch between technical discussions, business priorities and project conversations. I find the variety keeps things interesting and it makes my job really rewarding.

What skills do you utilise in your role and are any unexpected?

Technical expertise is crucial and when I entered this field, I expected it would focus primarily on systems and data analysis. However, over time, I came to realise that communication is just as important. A large part of my role is understanding the challenges that my colleagues face and how I can apply my knowledge to deliver solutions that support them. It means I need to listen attentively, ask the right questions and explain technical concepts clearly. As I start to focus on people management, I am developing leadership skills. Although I work in a technical field, it is still vital to build trust, support colleagues and help move projects forward through people.

Are there particular skills that stand out as the most important?

Problem-solving is a core skill because you cannot approach every challenge in the same way. Our work begins when someone brings us an issue and asks how data or technology can improve it. Adaptability is also essential because technology changes quickly and every department has different needs, priorities and pressures. Those skills build on the technical foundation needed for the job. However, communication is also central because good ideas only make an impact when people understand them and can work together around them. You still need strong technical understanding, but what really makes the difference is being able to connect that expertise to real business needs. That is what turns a tool into something that genuinely improves how people work.

As someone who oversees teams and project work, how do you ensure a collaborative environment?

My team focuses on addressing challenges across the business, so it’s important to create an environment where my colleagues feel comfortable bringing ideas and solutions forward. Two-way communication is also key: rather than treating a business challenge purely as a technical issue, we listen closely, understand the real need and then work together on a solution. Amgen’s workplace culture makes this type of collaboration possible. It empowers us to work in an open and supportive manner across various departments and functions, with the shared goal of supporting patients.

What do you enjoy most about your role?

I’m fortunate to work with truly talented people. My colleagues have a real depth of expertise and they bring a variety of perspectives to make processes faster and more effective. Working in technology also means that my role keeps evolving. I’m constantly learning on the job and I find that very motivating. What I enjoy most though is the feeling that my work makes a positive impact in the real world. I’m able to make a clear connection between data-led decision-making and delivering medicines to people who need them, that’s really rewarding.

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