From NOC night shifts to leading change in network ops
I began my career in a Network Operations Centre, a place that never sleeps. Screens flooded with alerts, constant escalations, and the quiet hum of systems running through the night became my normal. I worked night shifts, weekends, and holidays, often as the only woman on the team. It was a high-pressure, male-dominated environment. The challenges weren't just technical; they were a test of resilience.
Instead of letting the environment define me, I treated the NOC as my foundation. It taught me to troubleshoot under pressure, manage incidents in real time, communicate clearly during crises, and take ownership when things went wrong. I pushed myself beyond my assigned responsibilities, knowing that every challenge was shaping both my confidence and my technical expertise.
There were moments of doubt. Nights blurred into mornings, and work-life balance often felt out of reach. Many women in tech know this reality: balancing professional responsibilities with personal commitments, while feeling the constant pressure to prove themselves.
Finding balance and growth
Persistence opened doors. I moved into a flexible work environment, one that valued results, trusted its people, and offered equal opportunities regardless of gender. With flexibility came balance, and with balance came growth. I began contributing beyond daily operations, collaborating across teams, and mentoring women starting their own tech journeys. Watching them navigate challenges I once faced reminded me how critical representation and support are.
After 12 years in networking, one lesson stands out: invest boldly in your skills, speak up about your ambitions, and seek workplaces that value both talent and effort. Build expertise, embrace challenges, and don't let outdated structures define your potential. Persistence, adaptability, and confidence are not just strengths; they are keys to leadership and innovation.
What I hope more teams change next
I'd love to see networking teams move from "always on" hero culture to sustainable, well-documented operations. The work is critical, but the expectation of constant availability burns people out and quietly filters out great talent, especially women. Strong teams aren't built on who can stay online the longest. They're built on clear escalation paths, good runbooks, healthy on-call rotations, and leaders who protect focus time.
I also hope we get more intentional about career progression in technical roles. Too many people stay stuck in the same operational loop because no one defines the path from execution to ownership, and from ownership to leadership. Women don't need special treatment; they need the same access to high-impact projects, visibility, and sponsorship that others receive by default.
Celebrating women in tech
Networking has long rewarded availability over sustainability, which hasn't always made it welcoming to women. This Women's Day, I celebrate the progress we've made and the opportunities still ahead. It's a reminder that women thrive when they are supported, valued, and given equal opportunities to succeed. Happy International Women's Day.