Channel Post speaks with Reem Halawa, Online System Manager at Virgin Mobile on the challenges she has faced throughout her journey through IT industry.
Tell us about your leadership style and philosophy.
My professional experience has played a large role in forming my leadership style. I started my career in a collaborative environment where people from a range of backgrounds were encouraged to work together as a team. We were constantly listening to each other’s point of view and evaluating how we could improve our internal processes to achieve the company objectives. I’ve kept these values with me throughout my professional journey, with the aim of bringing this to any team I work with. The culture at Virgin Mobile is a great fit for me as the brand has allowed me to work with with people that are open minded, young at heart and always interested in changing business for good.
What made you choose IT as a career opportunity?
Since I started high school, I was drawn towards technical issues – helping my family with everything from fixing printers and accessing the internet to assisting my Mom opening her email. From then onward, I found myself drawn into every intriguing aspect of IT and I began to learn and further develop a genuine passion for technology. I continued pursuing that fascination until it led me to my role in Virgin Mobile today.
How has your unique background prepared you for success in the industry?
I have 9 years’ experience in the industry, across a range of roles and sectors from software engineering to web development, almost always as the only lady in an all-male team. Each role came with different challenges and opportunities which made me grow and helped me in strengthening my experience and therefore adapt to whatever challenges come my way.
What was your most interesting job?
Moving to Virgin Mobile provided me with an opportunity to work in a completely different sector. More than that, Virgin Mobile here in the UAE is creating something completely different within the sector so I have the opportunity to work on ground-breaking stuff and challenge the perceptions of the telco industry. I have always enjoyed working in an environment that presents itself with new opportunities to learn and grow. Therefore, Virgin Mobile has allowed me to tackle the challenges that come with launching a new brand in this market.
What advice would you give to women looking to break into the field of computer technology?
As the only woman in the technical team here in Virgin Mobile, I’d love to see more women joining us in roles within the technical team. Women often have the natural talents associated with this industry such as multi-tasking and problem-solving; therefore, I encourage women to use their strengths in a manner that positively contributes to their careers and the businesses in which they work. I would also advise women not be afraid of a traditionally male environment.
What is the greatest transformation in technology you’ve witnessed in your career?
Throughout my career, I have benefited from the systems I use within my day-to-day work and I consider these to be the most revolutionary transformations in the field. I have moved from a legacy systems environment to a MVC systems, and then on to a micro-services detailed systems with cloud systems. These changes have had a large impact on my career path as they are able to grow and develop with fast-growing business and consumer needs.
What are your thoughts on the next transformation in the tech industry?
The technology industry is changing fast as consumers have increasingly developed the desire to have everything available instantly. Whether a customer would like to purchase something new or decide what to watch on Netflix, I foresee that this trend is only at its initial stages and this will continue to grow as technology becomes a stronger focus across a range of industries. Virgin Mobile is at the forefront of this digital transformation in the telco category, especially in the region, and I am very excited about the impact this will have on the market.
Are you involved in any sort of volunteer work? Can you give us some details?
When I lived in Jordan, I helped develop and analyze a system that helped bloggers review their material in a singular location, regardless of the subject matter. Whether this was science, poetry or politics, the system allowed for better quality writing, which was a big step at a time when there was a lack of e-content in the region.
What’s next for you in terms of your career in the tech industry?
I look forward to learning more about the different aspects of the tech industry. From strategy and product developments to programming, there are so many exciting things to come in the tech industry and every day is a new adventure. I am looking forward to the success of the Virgin Mobile launch here in the UAE as I think we are really offering something consumer centric and unique, that I helped to build.
