For this International Women’s Day, we would like to present Jaymie, new TSF Ambassador, who also works in the Telecoms industry as CEO and Founder of JSA, agency for Data Center and Telecom PR, Marketing and Event Planning. She talks about her experience, motivation, and gives advice to young women seeking to enter this world.
Why be an Ambassador for TSF?
One of our most basic needs as humans is to communicate with one another. Never is that human need to communicate more heightened than when we are faced with a disaster or crisis. At this time, one call from a loved one is priceless, a blessing; and the men and women who are the first brave boots on the ground, enabling those critical communication lines for first responders and families alike, are heroes to me. It is for this reason that I am proud to be an Ambassador for Télécoms Sans Frontières. My hope is that by sharing the TSF mission, there can be more giving, more resources, more support, so TSF can continue their life-saving work providing for these affected communities during the most challenging times.
How did you get into the Telco world and why?
Telecom felt like a natural extension of my studies and professional growth, because at the core of it, we all crave to communicate with each other. By creating this global network infrastructure, we are setting the digital foundation for our children to compete, to be educated, to receive better healthcare, to live in a secure, interconnected community and to live a better quality of life.
What is your experience being a woman in a male-dominated industry?
I’ve always thought of myself as a professional first and foremost. Whenever I walk into a boardroom, I bring with me the core belief that I have something to contribute. I never stop to think that I am an “exception”, as in often the only woman in the boardroom, instead I get excited about contributing and adding my unique perspective. I was always taught to do the best you can and not to let others, or their ideas of what you “should be”, deter you.
If we focus on everything that separates us, in a way it keeps us separated.
How are you able to overcome the challenges you face?
I am very passionate about making sure there are less “glass ceilings” and therefore more opportunity for individual and professional growth, for all who strive for it. I also recognize that there are glass ceilings not just in our workplace but also within ourselves. There are times when we may think: “I’m not ready for that” or “I wasn’t trained for that.” My hope is that someday I will be able to teach my daughter to be as prepared as possible, and then just “go for it”, and break through the ceilings whether they are external or internal, because sometimes the most difficult ceilings to break through are the ones that we build for ourselves. And by being prepared and breaking through our own barriers, we then become role models for others and other organizations.
You have created initiatives specifically for the purpose of “encouraging more diverse voices”. Can you talk about that a little more? Why do you think these are important?
Throughout my telecom career, I’ve been blessed to meet many amazing women who have inspired me with their strength, voices and perspectives. And in recent years, many event organizers have been asking JSA to introduce them to some great female speakers. So as we consider JSA an industry ‘matchmaker’ in many ways, connecting people to grow each other’s businesses, we created the Women’s Speaking Initiative (WSI), an online platform at jsa.net/wsi, to collect women speakers’ profiles which we distribute quarterly to our industry’s event organizers. The WSI mission is to encourage more inclusivity and diverse voices on the telecom and data center event speaking circuit.
What do you see for the future of women in Telco?
I believe that anything is possible, and if you envision yourself doing something, you can. I am passionate about everyone earning their “seat at the table” and encourage women within the industry to work hard at being the best qualified for the jobs they seek. In an age where diversity inclusion has become a sticking point and Human Resources is charged to make these considerations when recruiting and hiring, I believe it will hurt our movement more if we aren’t backed by necessary qualifications.
We need to show that we have done our homework, and we are ready to help transform our industry and empower the next generation. The floor is ours and the opportunity is ours - so let’s come ready!
What would your advice be for young women seeking a career in the Telco world?
I would tell them to follow your passion and don’t stop until you become the expert. Learn every day, and then learn again. If you practice the art of listening, there is an opportunity to learn from most people, many lessons, and breaking through most doors. When pursuing a career in telecom, you are going down a road less travelled by women, but have confidence. March into the boardroom, and don’t let it deter you if you are one of the only women in the room -- instead, let it inspire you to speak your voice. But don't waste opportunities that are now available to us-- show up prepared!