Welcome to Beyond the Data, a curious series that investigates the people behind the talent of phData.
In this article, we’re featuring Marcus Montenegro, who serves as a Principal Consultant at phData.
When Marcus is not diving into data, he is busting moves on the dance floor or mastering martial arts like a true ninja. From break dancing showdowns to being crowned Taekwondo champ, his journey is as exhilarating as it gets. And did we mention he’s also a tattoo artist? Get ready to dive into the thrilling world of Marcus – where the thrill of work meets the excitement of play!
Tell us your name, where you’re from, and a little about you
My name is Marcus Montenegro, and I live in Ribeirão Preto, a mid-sized city in São Paulo state, Brazil. I was born and raised in Rio de Janeiro and moved to São Paulo after 28 years. Although I enjoyed living in São Paulo, I decided to go to a less chaotic city.
Currently, I live in Ribeirão Preto with my wife and cats, and I absolutely love our life here! One important thing about me is I like learning new stuff in different areas. That means I’ll tell you some interesting facts about myself later in the blog.
What do you actually do on any given day as a Principal Consultant?
As a Principal Consultant at phData, I lead the company’s initial level of people management. This involves supporting talented individuals to achieve their professional objectives and advance within the company. Aside from my people management responsibilities, I continue to work on projects with our clients, helping them solve complex challenges by leveraging various technologies that best suit their needs.
My primary focus is on gathering requirements, strategizing, and offering solutions while guiding technical teams through projects to ensure optimal outcomes for our clients. In addition to my project leadership responsibilities, I continue to develop tasks across most projects, keeping a balance between leadership and technical contributions.
How do you like working for a consulting company?
One of the most exciting aspects of our work is tackling our clients’ unique challenges. Helping companies accelerate professional development while also ensuring a continuous learning curve. Even the most experienced consultant will continue to learn from our client’s challenges and improve how we assist them.
It’s hard to get bored because every task is different, even if you’re assisting multiple clients with the same issue. Each organization has its distinct characteristics, making each project unique! In comparison to other firms, consulting companies provide unparalleled learning opportunities.
What separates phData from other jobs you’ve had?
The tricky part of this question is determining what to include. phData’s core values are deeply rooted in the company’s daily operations across all teams. Unfortunately, that is not common in every organization. The sense of community that exists here is fantastic. I’ve always felt very supported.
Whenever seeking assistance, I simply post my question to the company group chat, and within a few minutes, I receive many responses from my peers willing to assist me. Another key point I emphasize is phData’s structured yet rapid growth.
phData is excellent at balancing speed and organization, offering excellent opportunities for the team. This consistent progress boosts my confidence in my career within the organization and its future path.
How has your job evolved over the past few years?
My career has taken several turns. I began as an electronic technician for ship equipment, then shifted gears to pursue accounting. After a stint as a tattoo artist, I returned to accounting, this time specializing as a tax consultant. It was there that I delved into the world of data, aiding tax teams in streamlining processes and harnessing the full potential of their data.
Choosing to focus on data, I’ve explored various technologies and roles. Starting as a senior consultant at phData, I was recently promoted to principal consultant. Additionally, I took on a technical leadership role in the partnership between phData and Matillion, which has been incredibly rewarding.
Each transition in my career has offered fresh perspectives and fueled my growth journey!
Outside of work, what's your life like? What do you do for fun?
At the moment, not much, as I’m focused on shedding some extra pounds gained over the past few years. So, my activities mainly revolve around exercising, watching TV, and playing video games. However, here’s where I share those promised fun facts. Besides my work as a tattoo artist and creating designs, I spent nearly four years as a break dancer, competing in tournaments with my crews.
I’m also passionate about martial arts and have trained in Hapkido, Taekwondo, Wing Chun, Capoeira, Muay Thai, and Ninjutsu. A few years back, I even won the state championship in a Taekwondo tournament. While I’m currently not actively involved in martial arts, I have plans to get back into it soon.
What is your favorite type of cuisine? And where is the best place to enjoy it?
I really like Japanese food, but I also enjoy how Brazilian cuisine adds its own twist to dishes from other countries. When international dishes come to Brazil, they often change a bit, and I like our versions. So, in the end, Brazilian food is my favorite because we have our own special dishes and also versions of foods from different cultures.
Where's the next place you'd like to travel to, and what would be the first thing you'd do there?
Maragogi is a must-visit spot in northeastern Brazil, famous for its gorgeous beaches. You can enjoy stunning landscapes, take boat tours, go diving, or just relax on the beaches with a drink and snacks. I’m hoping to explore the natural pools, and the many beautiful beaches Maragogi has to offer.
Want to work alongside Marcus?
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