Focus on Katherine Zacapa

After finishing at Maryville College, I worked for a year at the Pilot Company in Knoxville as a Merchandising Coordinator. This is where I grew an interest in data analytics and learning the ‘whys’ and ‘hows’ behind issues. Shortly afterwards, I decided to get a master’s in economics to have a better and more thorough understanding of quantitative analysis. I moved to Granada in Spain for a one-year international program at the University of Granada. During this time, I had the opportunity to make connections with people from all around the world— similar to MC (I see a pattern here!). Now, I’m living in Madrid working remotely for a deep tech company headquartered in Galicia focused on high performance computing and embedded systems.

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This is a funny question since I work remotely 100% of the time (one of the positives from the pandemic). I do have to travel to Galicia every three months to do some team building and have an overview of the company and the company’s different areas. During these trips, I get the chance to connect with people from different departments and play a ton of board games while drinking a beer with my colleagues after work.

My most exciting professional experience has been to adapt myself to the labor market in two different countries. Imagine how difficult it can be to read a room full of strangers at a party or approaching people at a networking event. Now imagine having to do that every day, and that is the experience of entering and finding a job in a new country. This is my most exciting and challenging professional experience!

Having a liberal arts education at Maryville College gave me holistic analytical skills to approach problems from different angles. Sciences are growing more intertwined every day and arguments focused on just one perspective aren’t enough. Companies need people that can look further and understand issues through different lenses. Maryville College gave me these lenses not only in the social sciences area but also from a cultural perspective as an international student being immersed in American culture. I truly believe this is a hard to develop skill and, luckily, every student at MC has the opportunity to graduate with it.

I love being active and have tons of hobbies! I am part of a volleyball team with which I practice twice a week and have matches on the weekend. I also like to run and go to the gym. On a less active note, I’m a big board games nerd and love reading so if anyone has any recommendations on that, please let me know.

Deep connections with people from different backgrounds. Actually, a lot of them come from my time at Maryville College. I left the USA at the end of 2021 and I’m still in constant communication with my peers and even some faculty and staff (shout out to Kirsten Sheppard and Dr. John Gallagher!). It is hard to stay in touch while being in a different time zone, so I am constantly feeling grateful for always receiving a warm response when reaching out.

I can run 15km nonstop!

Definitely being involved on campus whether it was with the Global Citizenship Organization or Student Government Association. I loved connecting with other students through discussing important subjects and sharing opinions.

We are looking to start an Alumni chapter in Spain this year! Please do not hesitate to contact me via LinkedIn or email if you are interested in being a part of it. Lastly, if you are ever in Spain or Europe, do not hesitate to reach out. I’m always happy to connect with fellow Scots!