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Agustina’s first year at Solita: Discovering the world of consultancy

Liese Hennus Director, People and Culture, Belgium and Germany, Solita

Published 04 Sep 2025

Reading time 3 min

Meet Augstine Perez Iriarte, who has been working at Solita for one year now. A good moment to look back on the choice she made, the projects she has been working on, and the culture she’s experienced over the past year.

When Agustina reflects on her journey to Solita, one moment stands out: while working as an internal employee for three years at her previous company, she watched consultants come and go, bringing fresh perspectives and advanced techniques that amazed her. She wondered how they acquired such broad knowledge and adaptability, skills she felt were out of reach in her internal role, where growth was mostly tied to years of experience or departmental moves.

This curiosity became a turning point. Agustina realised that reading articles and doing certifications alone wasn’t enough; she wanted to learn from people with diverse backgrounds, working on different projects. That desire for continuous growth and exposure to new ideas led her to consultancy, and ultimately, to Solita.

A transparent start and project choice

Unlike traditional interview processes, Agustina found our approach refreshingly open. She was able to speak with future colleagues and learn about ongoing projects before making her decision. Remarkably, she even had a say in which project she would join, choosing the one that best matched her interests and career wishes.

Building skills and partnerships

Agustina’s first assignment was at EVBox, where she stepped into an existing data engineering project. The onboarding was smooth, and she quickly found her footing. With her main responsibilities under control, she seized the opportunity to propose a side project. An initiative that would allow her to explore AI and new database technologies.

Inspired by a CrateDB meetup, Agustina pitched a collaborative project using their technology. She brought together colleagues who were between projects, and together they learned, experimented, and ultimately presented their solution to CrateDB. The project culminated in a certification day, with nine team members earning credentials and us forming a partnership with CrateDB. They learned about the technology, but also how to collaborate, pitch ideas, and work with external partners.

After her success at EVBox, Agustina’s next project was at Elia, where she joined a hybrid data engineering team. The team’s structure was robust, with regular meetings focused on architecture and decision-making. Agustina appreciated the emphasis on collaboration and clear communication, and she found the onboarding process smooth thanks to another Solitan working on the same project.

Teamwork and growth at Solita

What stands out most for me is the team dynamic. Remote work is balanced with in-person brainstorming sessions, fostering creativity and connection. Over the past year, I’ve gained confidence in my ability to adapt to new technologies and projects, confirming that change doesn’t always have to be difficult.

Last year, when Agustina had several offers, Solita’s culture set us apart. She was drawn to our mindful, open, and collaborative environment. The values she heard during the interview process have held throughout her first year. She’s found opportunities for growth, inclusion, and meaningful collaboration at every level.

Agustina also values our approach to career development and salary discussions, which focus on personal growth rather than bureaucracy. For her, joining Solita was about building a career, and after one year, she’s confident she made the right choice. 

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