Women in ICT: Paving the Way for Future Innovators

DS2 aims to raise awareness of women working in the tech domain and to help encourage women into tech careers. Below is the first of a series of interviews of the women from the DS2 consortium. Based on these interviews Career Sheets pdfs were prepared and included on the Scientix website. These Career Sheets are created for primary and secondary school teachers (for children 4-21 years old, depending on the country). Teachers can take these sheets and present them to the pupils in the class. The scope is to promote STEM jobs to pupils and get them to understand the different types of jobs/career paths they can choose.

Please share a short biography

I am a data-driven business professional with over a decade of experience leading sustainable digital transformations across the Agri-food, Healthcare, and Manufacturing sectors. Holding an MA and an MBA, I am committed to bridging the gap between theoretical sustainability frameworks and their practical implementation. Having worked in India, France, and Estonia, I bring a global perspective to my work, understanding the diverse challenges and opportunities in different markets. Through strategic business innovation, I aim to create impactful solutions that contribute to a more sustainable and equitable world.

Please provide a short overview of your job and its relation to STEM. What is your current job? What is the field about?

As a Project Manager at Digiotouch, I am currently leading innovative STEM initiatives across the European Union. Our company is actively involved in several EU-funded projects that focus on digital transformation, sustainability, and data-driven solutions. For instance, in DS2 Digiotouch is implementing multi cloud and security in DS2 and will act as system integrator. In addition, digiotouch is responsible for contributing to standards in the form of a cen/cenelec workshop agreement, through the DIVINE project, we are pioneering agri-data ecosystems to promote data sharing and interoperability in agriculture. 

Who or what inspired you to follow this career path / start this job?

A fundamental motivator for me is the innate curiosity to understand how the world works that is ever changing. Currently my 1-year-old daughter motivates me a lot and inspires me to see the world differently.

What does your typical working day look like?

I begin the day by reviewing emails and messages to stay updated. Then prepare for and lead the daily stand-up meeting or monthly/weekly project or partner meetings followed by update the recent developments to the stakeholders. In the next round, time to time conduct one-on-one check-ins with team members to offer support and resolve any challenges. Also, facilitate cross-team collaboration to ensure alignment and address any interdependencies. To wrap up. I document all decisions, update project plans, and ensure all information is accurately recorded. Sometimes, write the deliverables or plan for the business travels for the consortium meets.

Please give an overview of your study path and how you got into this career. If you could start all over again, how you would change the career path? Has there been an educational experience (formal/informal/traineeship/...) that helped you? Did your colleagues follow similar study and career paths?

I hold an MA and MBA along with few technical diploma and certifications. I have a blend of technical and business knowledge that helps me to understand the market insights and the technical needs for the implementation of the new technology. My education background helps me to bridge the gap between technical and non-technical domains, facilitating communication and collaboration across disciplines. Given a second chance, I would not change a lot of things my I would like to remind my yourself to be a risk taker starting very early in the career and don’t be disappointed if things don’t go according to the plan.

What are the professional & personal key skills needed to do your job?

There are many. Few most crucial can be –

1.       Organizational skill - Develop detailed project plans, including timelines, resources, and budgets, to ensure successful project delivery.

2.       Risk Management: Identify potential risks early and implementing strategies to mitigate them, ensuring project stability

3.       Budget & Cost Management: Monitoring project expenses and adjusting as necessary to stay within budget constraints

4.       Quality Assurance: Ensuring that project deliverables meet the required standards and satisfy stakeholder expectations.

5.       Problem-Solving: Addressing issues promptly and finding solutions that keep the project on track. 

6.       Emotional Intelligence: Recognizing and managing your own emotions, as well as understanding and influencing the emotions of others, to enhance team dynamics.

What types of jobs & industry sectors can you work in, with your skills?

I believe I am suitable to be a project or product manage. I can work in diverse sector where technology can enable change.

What are the main challenges in your job?

There are plenty, Resource issues, communication breakdown, risk mitigation, unrealistic KPIs and deadlines to name a few.

What is your advice to students?

Be hungry and stay curious. Be mindful about what is happening around you and try to solve a problem. The problem you are facing can be real life problem for many.

How can teachers and parents support their students / children?

Let them think, facilitate and support them whenever needed. The upcoming world is changing so fast that we are being a parent/teacher don’t necessarily foresee what comes next. Make them a problem solver so that they can lead their own way.

Please share any information to your career profile.

I read Harvard Business Review and The Economic times to stay updated.