Despite her young age, Jana has been a member of NITES Team since our beginnings. So, we asked her how did it feel growing up together and how did she and the company complement each other‘s growth and development. Here are some valuable career insights from Jana.
What was your previous job before joining our team?
I started my professional career in academia. I spent half a decade at the Faculty of Economics, Finance and Administration (FEFA), at positions ranging from teaching assistant to assistant in Management Fundamentals, Strategic Management and Negotiation.
During my work at the faculty, in addition to theory, I gained practical experience in residential programs at the International Financial Corporation – IFC – World Bank, Microsoft, an eminent IT company, and various TEMPUS projects that FEFA implemented within the framework of international cooperation at the state and university levels.
What was important to you when choosing a job – and how did NITES come up as the right choice to you?
Due to the development of the IT industry in Serbia and attracted by the practical application of new technologies in various industries, I decided to use my previous experience to move from academic to business, where I would gain additional expertise in the application of software solutions on projects related to the finance, telecommunications and energy sectors.
NITES Group proved to be the right choice. At that moment, they needed a person who would be able to fit into the already existing team and help to reach the objetives in the ongoing projects in the fields of finance and telecommunication.
Why do you love what you do – what “pulls” you forward day after day?
The satisfaction in this job consists of teamwork and success in implementing solutions for our clients. The realization that our clients successfully apply our solutions in their business processes, improving the level of their business on a daily basis, gives me a special motivation and desire to work on future projects.
Is there anything you have achieved here that made you realize that you are on the right track?
There is a saying: “Every time you start not from scratch but from experience”. Successful development of projects with various scopes and goals, as well as successful cooperation with local and international teams, partners and clients, is the best confirmation of being on the right path.
Have you taken new roles or challenges on in the company, that have been particularly meaningful to you?
Every project is a new endeavour. It involves a large number of participants, from clients, project partners and our own team.
A project leader must be the person who will effectively bring together different parties involved in the project and, with their effort and efficient organization of work, achieve the set goals and formal deliverables that each project carries.
What meant especially to me in our company was the opportunity to work in a new area on large and complex projects. That successfully accepted challenge has so far proven to be the best part of my career.
In what areas do you feel you have progressed the most since you have been here?
My advancement is proportional to the growth and development of our company. I was part of the NITES Belgrade journey, which stared with only 15 employees, reaching over a 100 people at the present.
The expertise I have acquired, the formal training I have undergone and working with colleagues and managers on many projects, have enabled me to develop and grow professionally.
Professional and private growth gives you the capacity to face new challenges, lead complex projects and overcome obstacles that used to be much more difficult, more easily. I think that is a mirror of progress.
What does your balance between private and professional life look like?
I often remember what a colleague told me at the beginning of my career: “You have to be successful in life in order to be successful in business.” And that is the essence. You need to have a healthy attitude towards work in order to have enough time and energy for all the other beautiful things in your life.
What is something you have learned from others here that has changed your perspective on work (or life)?
Working with colleagues who have a diplomatic approach to problem solving without tension, meant the most to me. This quality is crucial when you are facing serious obstacles that need to be overcome and the best solutions found in a short time.
Why do you think NITES is the right place for someone who wants to grow and work on things that make sense?
We spend a large part of our time at work. I believe that it should be spent with people who have quality, integrity and expertise, and can positively influence you to become a better version of yourself.
If you find this story inspiring, check out the open position for Technical Support Manager, which might be the beginning of your success story with us: