Pedro Fonseca, Cycling Manager
Rota Vicentina – Associação para a Promoção do Turismo de Natureza na Costa Alentejana e Vicentina
- Years when you began working at INESC TEC and when you left: 2022 – 2024
- Service at INESC TEC where you worked: Communication Service (SCOM)
What have you been doing professionally since you left INESC TEC?
I decided to make some changes in my life: move to a different city and switch professions. From the daily creation of graphic and multimedia design, I transitioned to managing the Cycling of the Rota Vicentina association. Here, in Alentejo, I’ve been able to channel my daily drive into closely observing the needs of the mountain biking, gravel, and touring bike trails in the southwest region. By monitoring and addressing issues with bike stations and bike-friendly services, I analyse the needs of those who choose to travel by bicycle, always prioritising the members of this non-profit association that focuses on promoting nature tourism on the Alentejo and Vicentina coastline. I am passionate about this region – and particularly tired of the life I experienced in big cities where I’ve lived, like Maputo (then Lourenço Marques), Johannesburg, Lisbon, Porto, and Brussels -, so I chose this life to focus all my human and professional experience into promoting this area – both nationally and internationally. I hope to achieve my greatest wish: to stay here (you can try to take me away… but it’ll be over my dead body!).
How did your experience at INESC TEC contributed to your professional history?
Working at INESC TEC was crucial in this entire change: the flexible schedule and the hybrid scheme that allowed me to work from home or anywhere else in the world were vital to the life changes over recent years. I cannot find better words to express my gratitude for all the opportunities I had while working there. I always had this dream of living in Alentejo; and a series of decisions I made in recent times actively contribute to make said dream come true – and INESC TEC played a vital role in this process.
When you think about INESC TEC, what comes to your mind?
I am a “people person.” What I remember most about INESC TEC is the people. I quickly began working with all departments, not from behind a desk, but through constant personal contact, creating practical and efficient graphic and multimedia communication solutions on a daily basis. From the members of the Board to the assistants, from the researchers to the “cleaning ladies”: I always treated everyone with care and respect, and I admired the goals of all people in this institution. But the thing I hold dearest is the relationship with the members of SCOM, where I worked. Effort, mutual support, honesty, boldness, a sense of family, professionalism, and dedication in content production are some of the terms that characterise this department, led by the most competent women I have had the privilege to work with.
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