30572_Kao Data Critical Careers_Pages - Flipbook - Page 21
What are the strengths you’ve
noticed of successful women in
the industry?
What advice would you give to
someone looking to make a career
transition?
rom what I’ve seen so far, the women in this
industry are very intelligent - not just book-smart
but really savvy in handling discussions. They often
take a measured approach, actively listening, absorbing
information, and then gently guiding the conversation,
suggesting alternative views or probing deeper into the
issues. It’s almost like they are playing chess, making
moves that bene昀椀t them and by extension, the
project’s success.
totally understand the fear of diving into something
completely unknown and having to start afresh. But if you’re
considering a career change, honestly, my advice is to just go
for it. If you are genuinely drawn to it, don’t let the fear hold you
back. It is going to be tough, and you will have those moments
of doubt where you wonder if it’s really for you. I’m a bit of a
perfectionist myself, and I understand how daunting it can feel
to begin something when you are in unfamiliar territory. But it
is important to remember, perfection is not the goal from the
outset, it’s about taking those small steps towards
your aspirations.
F
I
I’ve also found that women in the industry demonstrate a
key skill for managing the 昀椀ner details that others might
overlook, whether its ensuring documentation is clear or
questioning how a message will be received. They bring
this ‘female touch’ to their roles, enhancing organisation
and communication. For example, in my training role,
my fresh perspective often helps clarify communications
meant for clients who aren’t as technically well versed. It
turns my inexperience into an asset, ensuring messages
are accessible to all stakeholders.
The industry is surprisingly welcoming, with a lot more diversity
in roles than you might think. You don’t have to be a tech whiz;
there’s room for skills in HR, project management, marketing—
you name it. The industry is growing rapidly, it’s practically
begging for new talent, particularly female talent, from various
disciplines. With the world moving towards smart technologies
and buildings evolving into ‘smart buildings,’ the demand for
digital infrastructure is just skyrocketing.
Overall, the strengths of these women extend beyond
job skills, they are about how they navigate their work
environments and assert their presence with con昀椀dence,
even in subtle ways. They are not just participating; they
are leading and reshaping their spaces, commanding
respect through their competence and strategic
thinking. These qualities set a benchmark for what
effective leadership looks like in this 昀椀eld.
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So, take that leap! More often than not, you will land
somewhere better than you expected, and you will 昀椀nd yourself
growing into new roles you never even considered. The key
is to be open to learning, ask lots of questions, and be okay
with starting from the ground up. Everyone appreciates a
newbie who is eager to understand and contribute, rather than
pretending to know it all. Dive in, embrace the learning curve,
and you might discover that what seemed daunting becomes
your greatest adventure.
