Giancarlo Vanoni – Systems Engineering
He graduated in 2018 and is a co-founder (along with three other classmates) of Zeppelin Labs: a digital research and development lab dedicated to helping other companies create new products, improve existing ones, or identify opportunities in their industry that can be addressed through technology-driven solutions.
His role at the company is Chief Partnerships Officer: among other things, he is responsible for leading initiatives related to the company’s expansion, securing new partners and clients with the right profile, and then onboarding them and fostering the growth of the relationship.
Why did you choose to study Systems Engineering, and what did you like most about your degree program?
I've always liked math. I have relatives who studied this field, which made it feel more familiar to me. Also, when I was about to make my decision, I spoke with systems engineers who gave me a better idea of what this profession entails.
Once I arrived at ORT, there were two things I really appreciated: first, the seriousness and professionalism with which the coursework was taught, and the support and guidance provided to students to help them successfully navigate this stage. The other is the real emphasis placed on the possibility of creating our own startups or companies, and the encouragement that, with the right team, effort, and dedication, this is entirely achievable.
What do you think is the greatest contribution your profession makes to the world and society?
As systems engineers, I believe that our responsibility—and our contribution—is to be active agents of change and progress from a technological and scientific perspective. This ranges from traffic lights equipped with artificial intelligence (AI) that facilitate smoother traffic flow to satellites orbiting in space and sending us real-time information for various purposes. The contributions that systems engineers make to various projects allow us not only to solve today’s highly complex problems but also to envision what society might look like in a context where humanity has continued the exponential growth of new technologies and their applications.
What specializations or types of jobs can a systems engineer pursue?
These days, I think the field has become much more diverse. The teams behind the creation of new digital products—ranging from large platforms to small software-based apps—are typically multidisciplinary and highly collaborative; soft skills are increasingly valued; and as engineers, we have the opportunity to move around freely within these teams based on our preferences and the tools we use.
I think there are so many options that I could spend quite a while listing them, but here are a few: leading teams from a product perspective—that is, ensuring that the product effectively solves the problem it’s designed to address—or from a project perspective, making sure that milestones are met within the established constraints; we can focus on conducting research from different angles and work in slightly more experimental contexts, or pursue roles where we try to solve problems by applying academic papers in the fields of AI and machine learning; we can have a passion for art and get involved in extremely interesting areas that blend the world of art and imagery with AI.
These days, we live in a highly technological world that is heavily reliant on technology, so I find it hard to think of any areas of society that haven’t already been impacted by technology or that won’t be in the very near future. All of these new fields of study and work need—and will continue to need—systems engineers.
Learn about the Systems Engineering program
Carolina Allende – Electronic Engineering
She graduated in 2021 and is a lecturer and research assistant in the Quantum Computing and Informatics group at Universidad ORT Uruguay. She also works as a data scientist at the technology company Marvik.
Why did you choose to study electronic engineering, and what did you like most about your degree program?
I originally began studying physics at the Faculty of Sciences at the University of the Republic, where I joined the Laboratory of Nonlinear Physics and Statistical Mechanics as an intern in 2015. There, I worked with coupled circuits (circuits that simulated the firing of neurons in the brain) and fell head over heels in love with electronics, which led me to switch my major.
What I really liked about the electronics engineering program was being able to learn concepts through project-based courses that made me feel immersed in my field from day one.
What do you think is the greatest contribution your profession makes to the world and society?
In my view, engineering is the most efficient way to put scientific knowledge at the service of society, which benefits from the latest technological advances in the form of previously unimaginable conveniences. From video calls with loved ones on the other side of the world, to being able to open the garage door without getting out of the car, or even pacemakers to treat arrhythmias, electronic engineering is everywhere.
What specializations or types of jobs can an electronics engineer pursue?
The Electronics Engineering program provides a well-rounded education, which is why graduates of the program have diverse career paths. We work in a wide range of fields, from AI to custom hardware design, and from basic science research to the design of neurostimulators and other implantable medical devices.
Learn about the Electronics Engineering program
Gabriel Barla – Telecommunications Engineering
He has held a degree in Telecommunications Engineering since 2005 and an MBA from ORT since 2012. He works at Ericsson, a company headquartered in Sweden has 100,000 employees in more than 100 countries around the world. His primary role at Ericsson is to provide solutions in the field of Information and Communication Technologies for telecommunications operators and service providers. He has worked on projects within Uruguay and with clients in the region, and has collaborated with teams from nearly every continent.
Why did you choose to study telecommunications engineering, and what did you like most about your degree program?
I knew for sure that I wanted to study engineering. With the rise of cellular networks and the internet, I felt a strong enthusiasm for learning about those topics. When I looked into the Telecommunications Engineering program at ORT, I knew it was the best option among those I had considered.
I have very fond memories of my undergraduate years. I really appreciate how the professors treated me and their willingness to teach; they created the perfect environment for learning and motivated me to continue exploring the topics that interested me most.
What do you think is the greatest contribution your profession makes to the world and society?
I always like to think that I’m doing my part to help break down barriers to communication among people in general and make more services available wherever possible. My goal is always to promote the well-being of everyone.
What specializations or types of jobs can a telecommunications engineer pursue?
The field of Information and Communication Technologies is vast, and a telecommunications engineer is equipped to pursue any career path.
You can aim for roles ranging from software development and the implementation of telecommunications solutions to work in the fields of data science, AI, machine learning, and automation.
The program provides a foundation that allows you to develop, over the years, in the area where you feel most at home. This is a profession that is constantly evolving, and what’s coming next is always more exciting than what came before.
Learn about the Telecommunications Engineering program
Valentina Piña – Biotechnology Engineering
She graduated with a degree in Biotechnology Engineering in 2018. She currently works at the pharmaceutical company Merck, where she leads a team as head of quality control. The Merck plant in Uruguay, she explains, is a secondary packaging facility that exports pharmaceutical products throughout Latin America, and her role involves approving the release of batches of packaging materials, products, and medical devices so that the packaging department can perform secondary packaging, after which, following a few more steps, the final product is released to markets across the continent.
Why did you choose to study biotechnology engineering, and what did you like most about your degree program?
I chose to study Biotechnology because I found the curriculum to be comprehensive and interesting. In addition, the program offered a well-equipped lab and many hands-on classes. I also chose to study at ORT because it has a wide range of study abroad opportunities, which I was able to take advantage of; I spent a semester studying in Manchester, United Kingdom, in 2016, which was a truly enriching and unforgettable experience.
What do you think is the greatest contribution your profession makes to the world and society?
I think that a few years ago, biotechnology was seen as a career of the future—something distant and utopian—but the rapid pace of change, global developments, and technological progress means that biotechnology is now a career of the present. The pandemic we’re experiencing has shown us that we need science on our side, trained professionals, and, above all, resources invested in biotechnology to develop vaccines, defeat pandemics, and save lives. Studying biotechnology gives you the tools to continue advancing health, industry, and research, and to create a more sustainable world. There is an increasing need for professionals who can address these issues and contribute to our own evolution. I believe this degree program provides the world with this much-needed progress.
What specializations or types of jobs can a biotechnology engineer pursue?
A degree in Biotechnology provides the knowledge needed to work in the food industry, the energy sector, agriculture, human medicine, veterinary medicine, and more. Within these diverse fields, students can choose a career path focused on project management, research, production, quality assurance, or entrepreneurship. I believe this program offers a well-rounded education that allows you to broaden your knowledge and specialize in the area that interests you most.
Learn about the Biotechnology Engineering program
Victoria Scagni – senior electrical engineering student
A tenth-semester student currently working on her thesis in Electrical Engineering—a program that began in 2017 and has yet to produce any graduates—Victoria has been teaching Algebra 1 for five years and also works at the family-owned electrical business, where she is currently working on an electrical installation project.
Why did you choose to study electrical engineering, and what do you like most about the program?
I think electrical engineering is the most “magical” field, so to speak. I’ve always been really interested in math and knew I wanted to study something related to it. When it came time to decide which engineering field to pursue, I tried to choose the one I understood the least.
I've always been really struck by how something as commonplace in our daily lives as electricity could be so intriguing. Even though it's something we use all the time, it's so hard to understand—there's so much math and physics behind it. For example, the fact that moving a turbine with the force of water can generate electricity and turn on the lights in your home strikes me as something beautiful.
What I like most is understanding what lies behind something that is both so common and so broad. In addition to the versatility of the program, it’s never monotonous, because it covers many areas that involve fieldwork, programming, and research.
What do you consider to be the greatest contribution your career has made to society?
Basically, the world is moving toward a future where everything runs on electricity. It’s hard for us to imagine a world without electricity, since almost all the devices we commonly use rely on it.
At the same time, a major shift is taking place in the field of mobility. In other words, oil has long reigned supreme, but due to concerns about pollution, many countries are moving toward replacing it with electricity, opening up a whole new world for us: electric mobility.
Generating electricity, transmitting it, and ensuring it reaches every household is the job of an electrical engineer. And doing so in the most efficient way possible—both economically and physically—while minimizing environmental impact is one of the key focuses of this field.
In fact, Universidad ORT Uruguay courses such as "Renewable Energy Generation" and "Electric Power Transmission," which explore how to optimize the supply to meet demand.
So, the goal is not only to ensure that everyone has access to electricity, but also to do so in the best possible way and with minimal negative environmental impact.
What kind of jobs or specializations can an electrical engineer pursue?
As I mentioned earlier, there are different areas where one can work. For example, field work involves literally being on-site, whether it’s setting up a new power line that supplies a city or working at a substation surrounded by transformers, disconnect switches, and other equipment.
Another area could be the planning of the construction project itself, which involves the calculations. In other words, you provide the theoretical foundation and determine the dimensions of all the components involved so that the project can be carried out. You then prepare the project report, including the associated drawings and other materials.
There is another aspect of control—one that has more to do with programming—which is perhaps what we are most accustomed to: controlling a system with various variables, with objectives such as ensuring the system operates as efficiently as possible and that there are no issues with the national network, among others.
And then there is research, which is the most theoretical part of the program; through it, we are able to develop new practices to improve all of the above.
Learn about the Electrical Engineering program