Milica Misojčić

If I have to choose one, I would say The Alchemist written by Paulo Coelho. The story of Santiago, a shepherd boy who follows his dreams and sets out on a journey to find a treasure, has inspired me to pursue my passions and never give up on my goals. The book also has a powerful message about the importance of listening to our hearts and trusting in the universe, and it helped me to realise that the journey of self-discovery and personal growth is what truly matters in life. Santiago’s journey taught me that the greatest treasure we can find is within ourselves, and that we should never give up. In addition, The Alchemist has encouraged me to take risks, overcome obstacles, and stay true to myself to fulfil my dreams. This book is a powerful reminder that anything is possible if we have the courage and determination to pursue our passions. I am grateful for this book and the valuable lessons it has taught me, and I will always treasure its message of hope and inspiration.

“Talent wins games, but teamwork and intelligence win championships.” – Michael Jordan

Since childhood, I had a big passion for volleyball but was also highly interested in mathematics and science. In addition to this, I also very much enjoyed playing music (I even finished primary music school for violine in parallel to regular primary school). I also liked drawing, painting, and sometimes writing children’s songs. While growing up, I had to choose priorities and decide which direction to take, as it was impossible to keep time for everything. I decided to keep playing volleyball while developing and expressing all other talents via programming and pursuing STEM education. Programming impressed me because I could express there both: – mathematics and science side while creating sites, apps and features (as I had to understand and implement code logic, structure and flows, different functions etc.), and I really liked it – but also I could still express in a way my creative side, such as playing music, drawing etc., through designing user interfaces, making UX mock-ups etc.

I will try to never let go of my passion for volleyball and my involvement in the sport. I am aware that at some point, due to my career growth or life timeline, I will need to stop to be involved as an active player in higher-competition sport. Still, I will try to stay involved in that world in other ways, such as playing it recreationally sometimes, or coaching or supporting the structure of my favourite club in different ways.

It could be something where I can express my childhood passion through technology and innovation to bring improvements, maybe within care or health sectors, with a touch of psychology and leadership aspects, or maybe even teaching and supporting young people by sharing my knowledge and experience with them.

One thing I am certain, I would stay involved with the technologies and IT world in general. By having a profound understanding of the technology world and its potential and being able to dedicate enough time to focus on areas that inspire me, I might look for ways to build my own business focusing on technology innovations.

I am ambitious, creative, and enthusiastic, driven by aligning my goals with company values, achieving shared objectives, making a positive impact, and empowering those around me. My motivation is fueled by opportunities for personal growth and the success of both the company and myself. I am goal-oriented, committed to meeting deadlines, and ensuring quality work. My approach is based on thorough planning, effective risk assessment, and proactive communication to address any deviations from plans. Achieving goals and receiving recognition for my efforts are key motivators that inspire me to maintain a high performance and have a positive impact on my colleagues and projects.

My family contributed significantly to the person I am today by teaching me the importance of a good work ethic, including raising awareness of how important education is, as well as integrity and reliability. While I was growing up, my parents held a private business. Since my teenage age, they have tried to explain to both my sister and me the concepts of business and how it works, what needs to be achieved so that the company can operate profitably, how much each customer is important and what are ways to establish good relationships with them, how to deal with competition, and maybe the most important, they always emphasised that success of our small company is shared success of all of us who contributed to it. In addition, my family always supported my passions and preferences during my carrier. And they were there for me whenever I needed support or motivation! Although part of my family are experts in law areas, they always highly supported me in pursuing an IT career and helped me to manage time for both my education and professional sport during the most challenging times, as well as helping me with all administrative aspects and papers when I decided to continue my education and carrier abroad. And finally, my sister (only one year younger than me) is building a successful career as an attorney at law in Serbia, and I cannot stress enough how much I am very proud of her. The kind of mindset ambitions we have, and values we admire, in certain ways are thanks to positive family influence.

In the industry, women encounter several challenges including: struggling to keep up with fast-evolving technology trends amidst stiff competition and balancing work-life demands, exacerbated by the COVID-19 pandemic. A fixed mindset among some individuals poses further barriers to adapting to necessary changes. Outsourcing limits career advancement opportunities locally. The scarcity of female mentors and role models in tech hinders women's ability to see themselves in leadership roles and affects their social interactions in a male-dominated field. Additionally, gender bias in the workplace presents significant obstacles for women and other minorities in advancing their careers within technology and IT sectors.

While I have not faced many of these challenges myself, I would still like to take this opportunity to share some of my perspectives. In my experience, I often felt like I had to work even harder and continually prove myself to receive the recognition, chances, and opportunities that my male colleagues seemed to receive more easily. I also sometimes felt that my ideas and opinions didn’t get the same attention and importance as my male colleague’s ideas. Or for example, even though I was working on specific application for quite some time with my team, despite my extensive knowledge and expertise on the subject, I felt that I was held to a higher standard than my male colleagues. Despite these challenges, I always try to remain committed to my work and do my best to overcome obstacles as they arise.

Throughout my tenure at Proximus, I've been consistently recognized for my exceptional dedication and performance. Starting in 2019, I was commended for my hard work and focus on delivering results, adeptly managing multiple projects and familiarizing myself with complex systems and functionalities. My contributions in 2020 were marked by my significant impact on key projects, where I skillfully balanced the needs of developers with an understanding of requirements, leading to successful technological implementations. My ability to handle increased workloads and mentor new team members was also highlighted, showcasing my role as a pivotal member of my team.

In 2021, my role evolved further as I took on the responsibilities of a proxi product owner, contributing significantly to my team's deliveries and maturity. My analytical skills ensured smooth project executions, and my proactive stance on process improvements demonstrated my commitment to excellence. By 2022, my work in preparing Functional Analysis Stories and my collaboration with architects and squads underscored my deep understanding of the billing domain and my high-quality analysis. My transparency, willingness to work beyond typical hours, and enthusiasm for continuous learning and development were especially praised. Across these years, I have exhibited a remarkable commitment to my work, team collaboration, and professional growth, making me an invaluable asset to Proximus and a model of dedication and excellence.

In the ever-evolving landscape of technology and IT, personal and professional growth is pivotal. Embracing continuous learning and cultivating a growth mindset form the foundation of success. Flexibility, openness to new experiences, and the courage to take initiatives and risks are essential. Collaboration plays a crucial role, where the collective input creates value beyond the sum of individual contributions, making 1+1 equal 3 through synergies and efficient teamwork. Networking and mentorship are invaluable for staying abreast of industry trends and unlocking growth opportunities. It's equally important to have a clear vision for one's career path, fueled by passion and a commitment to quality. Strong problem-solving skills are indispensable, requiring critical and creative thinking to tackle complex challenges. Sharing unique perspectives can lead to innovative solutions, underscoring the importance of a diverse, proactive, and interconnected professional journey.

When people get to know my story and details related to volleyball, education and IT career aspects, they are often curious how I managed to maintain all together with success over the years, what is key to that, and how challenging it is to maintain work-life balance overall. But if we speak more related to my current work and passion for IT, questions that are often discussed and that I can think of right now are related to dealing with a competitive environment or a good way of managing deadlines, especially tight ones. Then, what are good ways of communicating technical concepts to non-technical stakeholders. And of course, questions related to customer experience, such as what initiatives could meet the latest customer needs and expectations, and what should be improved. Lastly, questions related to security and AI aspects, such as what potential threats and opportunities or, what measures are in place to protect customer data.

As an ambitious young woman, I enjoy being part of creative IT solutions and achieving things that might positively impact the Proximus corporate environment. I consider customer satisfaction, well-defined end-to-end solution, good preparation, and successful production delivery very important. Reaching those goals and commitments inspires me to progress even further in my expertise. On top, being surrounded by the greatest and latest technology trends inspires me, as well as being part of a company that promotes learning and bottom-up feedback. By aligning my personal objectives with the company strategy and vision, I can stay motivated and inspired! In a way, this motivates me to continue performing at a high level, with energy and enthusiasm, towards new goals and targets. As a domain architect and IT lead functional analyst previously, I enjoy engaging in communication and ensuring alignments with peer analysts for projects where several applications are impacted. Furthermore, I like to ensure that the scope to be delivered is clear within a team of developers and testers for a specific project and that updates about due dates, effort, and changes are well communicated towards managed. Also, I consider my job well done when everyone else feels implied and proud of what we delivered! As a social person and college, I like to engage in communication & collaboration through events/meetings and activities within the team, department and Proximus in general, which can improve work relations and have a positive impact.

Throughout my career, I have received feedback and advice from my family, friends, and colleagues. However, I never had the chance to have a mentor. But now, as part of my master program, I got an opportunity to ask for a mentor as part of my educational program. I would find it amazing if I could get the opportunity to work closely with you, Antonietta Mastroianni as my mentor. I am convinced that having such a great person, business women and leader as a mentor would provide me with profound knowledge, decision-making skills, and allow me to apply those learnings and experiences best within Proximus. On the other side, when we speak about role models that I looked up to in the past or that inspired me, I would take a step back since I was a child. In the beginning, it was my mum, of course. Always full of energy, ambitions with a to-do attitude, hardworking and performing tasks with much enthusiasm. During school and university, I learned about several inspiring women in science and history. I was impressed with Ada Lovelace, the world's first computer programmer, and Grace Hopper, who invented the first compiler. This gave me the drive to continue and dispute minority women in our field to have confidence that it is possible and that I can make it!

My advice to young women starting with technology is following: It might not always be easy, but in what I truly believe and what I can assure you: if you work hard, always try to do your best and pursue your goals with a lot of passion, at some point things will start to work out even better than you hoped for, as your results will speak for you and great opportunities will pop up! In addition, always keep in mind the importance and value that we can create as individuals within the team, where 1+1 easy can result in 3 due to synergies and efficient interactions. So, ensure you are proactive and a team player, dare to step out of your comfort zone, try to help and support others, and use each opportunity to contribute to the technology world as better as possible. Believe in yourself and go for what you are passionate about. It is possible!

Despite not having held an official leadership position, my experience in leading teams spans various roles, including serving as a functional analyst, product owner within an agile team, a domain architect contributing to roadmaps, participating in design thinking to enhance business partnerships, and leading sports teams and coaching youth in volleyball. My leadership style is characterized by leading by example, blending a people-oriented approach that prioritizes team interaction and collaboration, with an objectives-oriented approach focused on responsibility and accountability for goals. I strive to understand and support each team member's unique contributions, aiming to inspire and motivate through a shared commitment to achieving our goals together.

My supporting skills that have significantly contributed to my success include Communication, Emotional Intelligence or Empathy, Technical Skills, Decision-making, Coaching, Flexibility, and Collaboration. These skills have been crucial in navigating complex team dynamics, making informed decisions, adapting to new challenges, and fostering a collaborative environment.

As an informal leader, my approach has involved leading by example, creatively emphasizing the importance of our goals, ensuring open two-way communication, providing support and understanding, and recognizing the team's efforts with appreciation and credit for their work.

Currently, as a Proximus scholarship holder in the S.He goes digital – Executive Master in Digital and IT essentials program, I aim to enhance my digital and leadership skills. This involves delving into cutting-edge STEM topics like Artificial Intelligence, Cybersecurity, IT governance and strategy, along with technologies such as the Internet of Things (IoT), Cloud Solutions, and Data analytics, among others.

For me, technology is not just a profession; it's also a passion. I believe technology can improve our world, whether through creating new products and services that meet people's needs or by enhancing communication and connectivity between individuals and businesses. Moreover, technology has the potential to both improve and transform our lives, making them more convenient, efficient, and connected. As someone who works in the telecom sector, I feel proud to be part of a company that provides essential services to customers, such as internet and mobile connectivity, which have become integral parts of our daily lives. I am dedicated to using my skills and expertise to drive innovation and make technology more accessible to everyone. In my personal life, I constantly explore new technologies and learn about their potential to create positive change. For me, technology is not just a job; it's a way of life.

As someone working in the telecom sector, I believe that 5G and the Internet of Things (IoT) represent significant future trends. With the rollout of 5G networks, we can expect faster speeds, lower latency, and enhanced connectivity. Another trend to watch is cloud computing, which will continue to dominate the technology landscape. However, we should not overlook the significance of Artificial Intelligence (AI), Machine Learning (ML), and Cybersecurity. AI is already transforming various industries, such as healthcare, finance, and manufacturing. In the future, AI is expected to become even more advanced, enabling machines to learn from experience, make decisions, and interact with humans more naturally. As technology becomes more integrated into our lives, the importance of cybersecurity will only increase.

The internet might be considered the most significant technological invention of all time. It has completely transformed our modes of communication, access to information, learning, and entertainment. By connecting people across the globe, it has broken down barriers and enabled unprecedented sharing of ideas. Its ability to make information accessible to everyone, regardless of their location or social status, is truly remarkable. Now, anyone with a smartphone or computer can access a wealth of information and learn new things. While electricity has been a crucial invention, the internet has had a far greater impact on our daily lives by offering access to limitless information and the opportunity to connect with people worldwide.

I'm passionate about technology and believe it has brought remarkable benefits to society. It has increased our productivity, broadened our access to information, enhanced our communication capabilities, and much more. Among its many advantages, technology has notably revolutionized communication, enabled medical breakthroughs, expanded educational opportunities, and boosted productivity across numerous industries. Thanks to technological advancements, we've seen the development of vaccines and treatments for diseases, improvements in air quality, and the simplification of communication processes. Technology has also facilitated the emergence of renewable energy sources, online education, and artificial intelligence. However, it's crucial to acknowledge the challenges technology presents, including concerns about job displacement, social isolation, privacy issues, and the risk of addiction. Therefore, it's essential to weigh the pros and cons of technology usage and seek solutions to these challenges. Overall, technology has had a profoundly positive effect on society, but as it continues to evolve, we must remain vigilant about potential drawbacks and commit to using technology ethically and responsibly.

Staying up to date with technology skills is very important. To achieve this, I try to remain curious and keep learning. It helps me greatly that my company emphasises and supports education. Hence I often use our internal Proximus e-learning platform to look for education enhancement opportunities and training sessions. Also, the LinkedIn Learning platform provides many useful online courses and educational content. In addition, I am using educational sites such as O’Reilly, and trying to join forums or communities in areas of my interests. An example, recently I joined also Cybersecurity group of my company.

Online tools like Microsoft Office Teams and Outlook significantly enhance collaboration and communication, enabling seamless interactions for remote or geographically dispersed team members. PowerPoint and Word streamline the creation and sharing of documents and presentations, while OneDrive offers a secure solution for document storage and organization. Additionally, Jira and Target-Progress are invaluable for task and project management, allowing teams to effectively prioritize and oversee their workflows. These tools collectively contribute to streamlined work processes and boosted productivity, making them highly beneficial for professional use.

I enjoy browsing various news websites to stay updated on ongoing events and global happenings. I also appreciate websites that offer educational and entertainment value, such as Duolingo and Netflix. For keeping up with the latest trends in technology, I find O'Reilly and LinkedIn Learning platforms very good. In addition, I find Stack Overflow an engaging platform for tackling coding and programming challenges.

My favorite technology product is the latest smartphone, prized for its versatility, portability, and comprehensive functionalities that cover communication, entertainment, and information access. The continuous innovation and stylish designs of these devices greatly appeal to me. Conversely, my least favorite would be cars with outdated engines due to their environmental impact, specifically emissions. However, the development of eco-friendly alternatives, like electric vehicles, represents a hopeful advancement towards resolving these concerns.

Ensuring our applications align with requirements and bolster company success necessitates a deep understanding of stakeholder needs and effective collaboration. I prioritize these needs by developing a realistic product backlog, managing expectations, and fostering close cooperation with development teams. Regular communication with stakeholders to align company priorities with their expectations and adjusting these priorities to achieve project objectives are practices I find crucial. This approach has consistently facilitated successful stakeholder relationship management and the delivery of features that fulfill business requirements and project goals.

Each person is a unique individual shaped by many different factors. These include their background, upbringing and life experiences, character traits, mindset, drive to achieve, motivations, perspectives, and personal insights. In addition to these internal factors, the way a person interacts with others and the impact they have on others throughout their life also contribute to their individuality.

Success does not compensate for value or morality. Success alone does not define us, and we should aim to achieve it while staying true to our values and morals. It's important to have a moral compass to determine what's worth pursuing and what's right or wrong, as success without ethics can leave us feeling empty or even cause harm to ourselves and others.

To me, it's all about 'Mens sana in corpore sano', which I see as: taking care of both body and mind is essential. I strongly believe that our physical and mental health are closely linked and require equal attention to lead a happy and satisfying life.