Bárbara is originally from Brazil but came to Barcelona to study a Bachelor of Business Administration & BA (Hons) in Business Management, graduating in 2023. Thanks to contacts she had made during an internship at Red Points, she was able to return as a full-time employee after her studies. Red Points was the perfect place for Bárbara to break into the tech industry.
During her spare time, Bárbara enjoys playing tennis, photography and travel. She is also a fan of videogames and social media and still loves discovering new restaurants and cafés in Barcelona.
What have you been up to since you graduated?
I wanted to do an internship while I was studying so spoke to the EU careers team and they helped me with my CV and LinkedIn profile. I found a position at Red Points; the application process was quite long but I got the position. After I graduated, I saw that there was a vacancy back at Red Points. I applied for a research specialist role and everything went very smoothly because they already knew me.
We look for clients for the sales team to sell our software for counterfeit and fake websites. We also research brands to see if they have any issues with fake websites, social media or products. I do the research and identify potential clients to send to sales so they can reach out.
What would you say are the biggest brand protection threats that companies face today?
There are a lot of fake websites and fake ads on Instagram and Facebook. The brands and products can look very similar so it can be difficult to know. Basically, if it looks too good to be true, it is!
Are there industries that are more vulnerable to brand abuse than others?
Trendy brands in fashion or makeup and accessories like the Labubu dolls are particularly vulnerable, and these are the kind of brands you see mainly on social media.
How do you use AI to help you in your work?
I use AI as a resource to find new brands that are being heavily counterfeited or impersonated. I ask it to provide a list of brands with specific characteristics, which I then check to see if we already work with them or have worked with them in the past. If it is a new brand, we can contact them.
How can people learn more about brand protection?
Our social media team posts a lot of content about counterfeits and what is happening in the digital world right now. They show you what to look out for in order to identify a fake product.
Who inspires you?
From a business point of view, I would say my manager from my internship. She was really encouraging and taught me a lot. She inspired me to go back to the company after I graduated!
What are the main skills or concepts that you acquired at EU Business School that have helped you in your career?
The marketing classes have helped me a lot, giving me an idea of what happens in the real world. In our first semester, we even had a class on Excel, which really helped me grasp the basics of the program.
What did your time in Barcelona do for you and your career?
Barcelona is full of opportunities but it’s also very competitive. The city is very international and you meet new people everywhere so you can reach out to your network for help finding a job. If you know Spanish, it’s a huge plus and Catalan can also help, but it is so international here that the possibility of working solely in English is amazing.
How have you participated in student events since graduating?
I attended the Business Immersion Week as a guest speaker for a networking activity in which the students could ask questions about my job. They asked my advice about different things relating to working in Spain and the job application process. It was gratifying because, when I was studying, I participated in some of the Business Immersion Weeks and I really appreciated hearing from alumni and seeing what lies ahead. It was also good to meet other alumni, see what they are doing and exchange contacts.
Do you have any advice for students who want to work in the tech industry?
You need to always be aware of the new trends, understand how AI works and how to write prompts, etc. Also, stay up to date on the latest news and be social media savvy.
What are the benefits of doing an internship during your studies?
There are many benefits because you can put what you studied into practice. You learn more by doing and my internship definitely helped me get the job I have now.
Do you have advice for students who want to do an internship?
Just go for it, it’s a great experience! A bit of extra money is always a plus, but you can also make useful connections for the future. Apply for lots of different opportunities and you are sure to find something.
What is next for you?
I’ll be in Barcelona until the end of the year and then I’ll be moving to Germany! My husband is German, and I would like to do a master’s in marketing and AI out there. I think the future is in AI so it will be a nice combination.
