Women in Tech - Gita Charan, AMP

Women in Tech Blog - Gita Charan AMP (Senior Software Development Manager)

Bio: Senior Software Development Manager with 5+ years experience leading software teams building large scale systems, having great delivery track record, establishing technical vision for the team, handling complete software development life cycle, raising team productivity and effectiveness, stabiling production environment. Passionate about people, improved team engagement scores, directly coach, manage and mentor and uplifting of teams technical capability. 
 
1) Where does your passion for technology come from?
My passion has always been in technology. In the beginning I didn’t really know what I wanted to do but I was drawn to technology and decided to study it at university.
 
Technology was the buzz at the time and I knew. I grew to love the challenge and puzzle aspect of technology and I am still glad today that I made the initial decision to enter this field.
 
2) What would be the key things that allowed you to get to where you are today and what do you attribute your success to?

• Self Drive and Motivation: I have always had an internal driver to want to do the best job possible and consistently improve. This driver has always come from within and I have always had this ability even from a very young age. I believe that many people can sometimes be held back by trying to aim for perfection.  The harsh reality is that you still need to deliver and have to take satisfaction in that you got something across the line even if it wasn’t at your absolute perfect standards. I feel that if you don’t learn this you will instead always be overly critical of yourself which is damaging over time.
• Constant learning: Don’t always rely on formal learnings, learn everyday from situations, challenges and day to day activities. Read books, listen and lean into successful people within the organisation; even if you don’t understand the message immediately, seeds are planted. It is allowing this seed to be planted that is important in our constant learning.
• Observation: My most important learnings have come from observing within the environments I’ve worked in. This observation awakens our intelligence. It hasn’t always been there for me and it is through challenges that you become quiet enough to observe and learn.

 
3) What's the most valuable piece of advice you have received in your career and how did it help you?
When the student is ready - the teacher arrives.
 
I heard this phrase a few years back and originally didn’t understand or value it. I now see the phrase in a deeper light. When you are willing to learn the opportunities will always be there and present themselves. We are often blind to a lot of new doors and learnings and don’t see it either because we are afraid or close minded.
 
4) What's the most challenging situation you have faced in your career and how did you overcome it?
I think the most challenging situation I have faced is not seeing opportunities and missing them for growth and challenge.
 
5) What advice would you give to other females looking to pursue a career in Technology?
I think females need to have more faith in themselves and not treat each other any differently to how they would interact with a male colleague. Find your way of doing things and stick to your guns. Our greatest achievements always come when we are pushed outside of our comfort zones.
 
6) How can we attract more female talent into Technology in the future?
I think we need to provide a larger and more inclusive structure for support of females who work in technology. Each organisation should have a forum where females can come together and talk openly about the things they love but also the challenges of working within technology. Having a support network in the same environment as where you work is hugely important.