Today it’s my pleasure to interview Angelika Golis, Technical Project Manager at DAC.digital.
Our discussion will revolve around the present condition of women in IT. The difficulties they face and the actions that companies can undertake to establish a more accommodating and supportive work environment for women in IT.
Let’s get started!
- Hello, thank you for having this interview. Maybe we can start from the very beginning. Can you tell us something about yourself? What exactly are you doing at DAC.digital?
Hello! Thanks for inviting me! I am Angelika, a Junior Technical Project Manager at DAC.digital, so basically, I am doing The Epic Split just like Van Damme (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=M7FIvfx5J10) between developers and clients. 🙂
- How long have you been working as Technical Project Manager?
Working at DAC Digital was my first experience as a Technical Project Manager. However, I have been working in the field of project management for two years now.
- What inspired you to pursue a career as a Technical Project Manager?
I took the first steps in my professional path in marketing, where I learned how to work with a team (mainly juniors) and conduct training for a wider audience. However, my position only partly involved working with people, and the lack of it was what I felt the most. Looking for my way, I came across great studies (in project management) where I could spread my wings. The turning point was the Gallup Test, which only confirmed that working with people is written in my DNA.
- What are the most essential skills you need to break into project management?
I think people with different backgrounds and sets of skills might be great PMs, but communication skills are one of the top ones.
- What do you find to be the most rewarding part of your job?
I think an important part is a smile and the (positive) feedback I get from the team and people around me. It allows me to spread my wings but also (paradoxically) to make mistakes. And that’s the most rewarding—being a part of a place where everyone works together toward one goal.
- What challenges have you faced as a female Technical Project Manager?
To be honest, I don’t see any challenges that would be specific to my gender. I am so grateful to any other woman in that position that blazed the trail for my colleagues and me. All in all, it’s 2023 now, and the “women to kitchen” joke sounds more like a blast from the past.
- Have you ever encountered a situation in your industry where you did not feel equal?
Unfortunately, yes, but I don’t work there anymore! 🙂 And if I can advise anyone who doesn’t feel equal, speak about it. Don’t let it be invisible. Otherwise, nothing will change.
- What do you think are the main barriers preventing more women from entering the IT industry?
I think it’s a certain amount of uncertainty and an impostor syndrome trying to convince us that we will fail. However, I believe that by talking about it out loud, we will realize that many of us face it, and it can be overcome. After all, it’s only in us.
- What do you think are the main benefits of having a more diverse IT workforce?
It is easier for us to find our “voice” in a diverse environment. I believe diversity gives us more courage to be ourselves. Nonetheless, we could all feel different yet accepted.
- What changes would you like to see in the IT industry to support better and promote women?
As for Poland, I think the change should happen at a lower level, already in schools. There is still a misconception that mat-inf (more technical) classes are reserved for boys only. However, great changes are already visible in universities. More and more girls are in technical faculties, and more and more companies are open to making special programs reserved for girls in tech.
- What advice would you give to other women considering a career in Technical Project Management?
Just do it! Refresh this dusty resume, you do so many wonderful things. Maybe go to a career counselor, which works much like a doctor, just for our careers.
- Would you do anything differently if you could restart your career today?
Hell no! I believe that every decision I have made in the past has led me to where I am today. However, I don’t have dimensional screens to look at my alternate paths. Perhaps I should submit such a request to our R&D department?
- What do you enjoy most about your job at DAC.digital?
Can I say that everything? OK, that might be too sugary. 🙂 I am really happy to work in such a friendly environment. I can always ask for help, I can grow and learn from the best people around me. Shout out to Kris Gola and Kris Radecki, and all the amazing people around me in DAC.
- What further plans do you have to develop your career path?
I want to be more fluent in the technical part of my job to understand developers’ needs better. Also, I am really interested in Scrum. That’s basically what I am writing my bachelor’s thesis about.
- I hope all of your plans come true, and I appreciate you taking the time to share your amazing insights with us in this interview.
Thank you for having me! 🙂
Joanna Smul
Junior Employer Branding Specialist
