“Don’t Be Afraid, Choose a Field You Like, And Aspire to Learn More”
Joumana Karam, the Head of Marketing for MEA at Acer says whenever she was faced with negativity, she projected her positive problem-solving approach
Can you share your journey into the technology world?
I always knew that I will pursue a career in engineering from a very young age. I was fascinated with Maths & Science subjects. My maternal aunt and uncles are engineers. My parents were very supportive of my choices. I graduated with dual masters in electricity and electronic engineering & decided to pursue a career in IT and be part of the new innovations that will change our everyday lives.
What were some of the biggest challenges you faced as a woman, and how did you overcome them?
When I started working in IT, I was part of a minority. I was in fact the only female in the technical department of my first IT job! I have to say, it was never an easy path. I had to prove myself every step of the way and let my work/results speak for themselves.
Whenever my voice was not heard, I let my work do the talking. Whenever I was accused of being too aggressive, I let the analysis of the data prove my points. Whenever I was faced with negativity, I projected my positive problem-solving approach. I am a firm believer that every challenge will trigger a wonderful growth opportunity.
How do you describe your leadership style, and how has it evolved over time? What strategies do you use to motivate and empower your team?
I am passionate about technology, and I try to convey that passion while talking about the exciting new innovations to my team & colleagues. My thirst for data and numbers helped me to create the right tools for my team to interpret trends, adjust plans, and propose solutions & assets. I learned along the years that the best leadership style is the one that empower the people around me with the right tools and drive. This has given me tons of Joy and Satisfaction at every success my team and I achieve.
Have you had any mentors or role models who have significantly influenced your career? How did they impact your journey?
I have met many people who significantly impacted my journey. Some were colleagues whose stories guided me, some were friends who listened to my complaints and helped me to brainstorm solutions. Some were direct managers who empowered me to invent new processes for better results and some, believe it or not, were “bad managers” who pushed me to think “out of the box” and take leaps that I was at first hesitant and afraid to do. Some were team members and juniors who reminded me why I loved technology in the first place and to keep my passion alive.
What advice would you give to young women aspiring to enter the technology world?
The challenges that women face in a technology career are no different than any other industry: long hours, some travel, tight deadlines, good or bad managers, and so on. My advice to all young women is not to be afraid, to choose a field that you like, and to aspire to learn more. To be kind to and patient with yourself, maintain a flexible mindset, listen and speak your mind. Dream big and work towards achieving those dreams. Remember that you can do anything you set your mind and efforts on.
Can you highlight some of your proudest achievements in your career so far?
I am proud and fortunate to be in the industry for almost 3 decades. One decade in Lebanon and two decades in UAE! I am proud of my extreme decisions that pushed me to relocate to another country and venture into sales and marketing. I am proud of promoting the amazing innovative technology in the many companies I worked for & in many languages especially in Arabic for Middle East market. I am proud of the many women who I met, guided, mentored throughout my career.
How do you manage work-life balance, and what tips do you have for other women striving to achieve this balance?
Work-life balance is essential in today’s fast paced environment. For me, I follow a simple strategy: at work, focus on the tasks at hand one at a time; at home, focus on family, fun times and hobbies one at a time. Two main phrases I keep in my mind: at work, “ Do not keep another person waiting for an answer!”; at home, “ Do not think about work when at home!”.
