#CareerFocus with Poonam Govind, RTE at Vuma

1. Tell us a bit about yourself.

I am a grounded, honest, trustworthy, and reliable individual who values the support of my loved ones, including my best friend/partner and two dogs. I strive to keep a balance between my demanding career and my personal life by making time for my hobbies such as cooking, baking, and gardening.

My ability to reflect on my day and appreciate the connections that provide me with strength speaks to my authenticity and dedication to nurturing meaningful relationships. I started my career at Vumatel in 2019 as a Product Owner in the Development team.  With the challenges thrown at me, I could learn and grow into the person I am today.  After 5 years with Vuma, I now fulfill the role of a Release Train Engineer.

2. What work do you do?

As a Release Train Engineer (RTE), I act as a conductor to ensure that various teams, in the business and technical areas, are aligned on the business initiatives for Vuma. My role entails communicating with the key stakeholders in the business, escalating any impediments that have been raised, assisting in managing risk, and driving continuous improvements.

I ensure that the technical teams keep sharing knowledge and coaching to improve their organisation skills. I take pride in helping to create an environment where teams can thrive and deliver high-quality initiatives, efficiently.

3. How long have you been in the industry?

I have been in the Technology space for about 15 years. I started at an Internet Café, repairing computers and then teaching Basic Microsoft Office.  I then moved into the Banking sector as a Support Consultant for Internet Banking. Thereafter, I moved to a company that sold construction information to everyone in and outside the construction industry, here I fulfilled the role of Support Consultant for the system we sold,

Trainer on the CRM system we used, Development Lead – Managing a team of developers and planning a project, Technical Leader – repairing computers and setting up networking.  Lastly, within Vuma, I was a Product Owner, and now my current role as RTE.

4. Has your work always been your passion? Tell us why.

Absolutely!  I have always had a passion for Computers and everything about them.  It started in High School, where I got to write the first programme in Binary Code on “how to change a car tyre”.  This fascination led me to BCom-Information Management Systems, where I was introduced to learning and writing in different programming languages. I suppose that’s where my love for what I do truly began.

5. Being a woman in the industry – what does it take?

Everyone knows this as a “MAN’s” world and therefore there are many questions and comments that are made to drive women away. However, the strength of a woman to keep on trying even though you fail, and the support of other women who help and guide you through this journey is what makes you stronger.    

6. What has been the most difficult challenge of your career?

My biggest challenge is being afraid to ask questions that most people in a room will be able to answer however, this changed when I attended a conference where other people were open to sharing no matter how informed you are as well as explaining it in the terms that allow me to remember and share with others.  

There is no such thing as a “dumb” question or a mistake that you should be afraid to share, these are all things that will allow us to learn and become better every day at what we do.

7. What advice do you have for other women in your industry?

Accept your failures to grow however, don’t accept failure if you have never tried once.

8. Who inspires you in your industry?

I’m inspired by the incredible women in my industry who are pushing boundaries, leading with creativity, and making a positive impact. Their dedication, innovation, and ability to lift each other up motivate me to continue growing and contributing in meaningful ways.

9. What’s the best advice / key learnings have you received from your industry peers?

Keep trying, if you fail, identify what can be changed and try again.

10. What is your leadership style?

I try to keep a little of all leadership styles in my work however I best work as a servant and transformational leader.

11. Have you experienced failure in your career, if so, what lessons did you learn from that?

I have many times experienced failures in both personal and working spaces.  However, all of these taught me the same things – review what happened, why you failed and what can you do differently/ better and try again. This will always help us grow forward.

12. What are your plans for the future?

The tech industry offers immense potential for growth and innovation, and I am excited to be part of that journey. I am committed to making a difference not only for our customers but also for the many young women moving into this industry. I am passionate about using my platform to pave the way for the next generation of women, inspiring them to take on leadership roles and shape the future of technology.

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