Miguel Urdinola is a multi-talented manager and a skilled Qualitester living in Austin, Texas.
Miguel brings valuable expertise and a strong collaborative spirit to our organization. He firmly believes in the power of teamwork. Miguel’s preferred managerial style is laissez-faire, and he follows a servant-leader philosophy. “I’m there to communicate, facilitate, aid with problem-solving, and support my team,” he explains.
About his passions, Miguel says “Creating and problem-solving is at the core of who I am. For me, everything, from my projects to my personal life, is a context for continuous learning and improvement.”
“I sort of ‘fell into’ project management by chance,” Miguel reflects with a hint of amusement in his voice. “It all started when a project manager suddenly disappeared at a company where I worked as a developer. They turned to me because of my strong communication skills, and I ended up taking over her work. It was a dual role at first, but eventually, I became a full-time project manager. It’s been about 14 years since then, and I must say, it has been an amazing learning experience.”
As a developer in the past, Miguel’s expertise lay in full-stack web application development. However, with years of working as a project manager, he admits, “I’ve become a bit rusty with my coding skills. But deep down, development will always be my first love.”
Miguel’s fascination with computers drove him to explore the intricacies of coding and program development. He vividly remembers his early days, saying, “I wanted to know how those computer programs, especially games, were built.” This curiosity led him to purchase a programming suite called DIV Games Studio, where he began his journey of self-learning, crafting rudimentary games from scratch, including designing the graphics himself.
After high school, Miguel pursued a career in Computer Science, drawn to the limitless possibilities of the internet. His expertise shifted towards web development. In 2012, Miguel’s career took a turn when a former coworker recommended him for a project coordinator position at Olenick and Associates in Buenos Aires. With Qualitest’s acquisition of Olenick, Miguel’s journey continued to unfold.
A year ago, he made a significant move, migrating to the United States with Qualitest’s support. Since then, he has been contributing to the Seasonal Readiness Testing project. Excited about his recent promotion to Manager, Miguel anticipates rejoining his previous Commercial team, ready to embrace new responsibilities and challenges.
“There are numerous advantages to pursuing a career in IT,” Miguel explains. “IT professionals are highly sought after in various industries, offering a wide range of career opportunities and competitive salaries.”
Miguel highlights the thrill of being involved in innovation and staying at the forefront of technological advancements. “Being a part of the IT field means you get to experience the excitement that comes with embracing new technologies.”
Miguel is also a proud member of Qualipride, the Employee Resource Group for Qualitest employees who identify as LGBTQ+ and their allies. When speaking how his experience at Qualitest, Miguel shares, “I never felt the need to make a big announcement about my sexuality to my coworkers. It simply came up in conversation naturally when I’d mention my boyfriend, and now husband.”
Reflecting on his remarkable eleven-year journey with Qualitest, Miguel expresses gratitude, saying, “I have been incredibly fortunate to openly share my life and build genuine connections with my teammates, coworkers, and clients.”
Miguel emphasizes, “Being a part of Qualipride has allowed me to contribute towards creating a world where others can experience the same freedom and comfort that I do. I am filled with a sense of purpose, knowing that I am making a difference in someone else’s journey towards acceptance and liberation.”
“I grew up in Posadas, a beautiful small city in the province of Misiones, Argentina, and was raised Catholic.” Miguel opens up about his past, acknowledging that he had to confront internalized homophobia. “During my primary school years, I experienced bullying and endured hurtful slurs. It wasn’t until high school that I discovered my attraction to boys. Around the age of fourteen, I finally realized that I was gay.”
Miguel kept things hidden from everyone except his closest friend. He explains that being gay contradicted what he had learned from school, his family, the media, and especially the Church. “One point of pride I keep going back to when I need some self-assurance is that when I realized I was gay, my first and instantly thought was: ‘Oh, they must be mistaken.’ Embracing my true self felt so natural as if it were obvious that God had created me this way and loved me unconditionally. I couldn’t possibly be wrong.”
“Qualitest is the place to be if you want professional growth and a supportive work environment,” Miguel affirms.
His advice to those seeking growth and positive work experience is clear: “Join a team that values your development and prioritizes a thriving work environment. Qualitest is the perfect place if you want to enjoy a fulfilling professional journey.”
Miguel advises embracing one’s identity with pride and striving for visibility. “To younger individuals and those still in the closet,” he advises, “take small, secure steps towards embracing your true self. Remember, you have the right to be happy.”
For those who do not identify as part of the LGBTQ+ community, Miguel implores, “Somewhere out there, someone you love identifies as queer. It could be a coworker, a friend, a relative, or even your own children. Please show them your support.”
“I’ve explored various hobbies over time,” Miguel shares. “From bookbinding to making kombucha and Greek yogurt at home, I’ve always enjoyed pursuing creative projects.”
He adds, “During the pandemic, I even ventured into podcast production and started collecting digital copies of original scripts from my favorite movies, like Back to the Future!.”
Currently, Miguel’s primary creative outlet lies in fiction writing. “I’m actively involved in a workshop based in Buenos Aires, where I participate weekly through Zoom. I’ve also formed a writing group in Dallas, which meets weekly. Now, I’m working on both a book in Spanish and a book in English.”
When it comes to sources of inspiration, Miguel says, “I greatly admire Bill Gates and his wife Melinda for their dedication to improving equality, health, and education in developing countries. Their efforts stand out at a time when most tech billionaires seem focused on accumulating wealth for themselves.”
Miguel also draws inspiration from notable figures in the creative realm. “Dan Harmon, as a TV writer, has a creative prowess that truly inspires me,” he shares. “And Chuck Palahniuk’s work as a fiction writer.”
Additionally, Miguel admires Greta Thunberg’s impactful activism in the realm of climate change.
When it comes to books, Miguel recommends Atomic Habits, Getting Things Done and I Am That.
“Pride means different things to different people.” Miguel reflects. “For some, it’s a joyful celebration. For others, it serves as a reminder that the fight for equality is far from over.” With a resolute voice, Miguel shares, “While some rights have been recognized, and many battles have been won, there’s still so much to fight for. Layers of discrimination continue to persist even in supposedly progressive circles. It’s not about pointing fingers at ‘conscious’ haters, but rather recognizing the generational ignorance that still lingers.”
Miguel reminds us that we cannot overlook the harsh realities faced by LGBTQ+ people around the world.
At Qualitest, we believe in providing our employees with ample opportunities to enhance their skills, learn new technologies, and take on challenging projects that push their boundaries. #BeMoreAtQualitest and unlock your full potential. Interested in working with us? Join a team of world-class experts in quality engineering right here at Qualitest.
