341: Make Yourself Replaceable and Remember That “NO” Stands For New Opportunities with Janet T Phan

In this week’s show, Phil talks to Janet T Phan, the Founder and Executive Director of Thriving Elements and Senior Technical Product Manager for Amazon’s Project Kuiper.

She has a vision to develop and empower young women in STEM to make a sustainable impact and inspire the next generation of women leaders.

Janet talks to Phil about the value in making ourselves replaceable in the industry. She also discusses why “no” can mean a whole new world of opportunities for you.

 

KEY TAKEAWAYS:

 

TOP CAREER TIP

Technology grows every day. If we make ourselves as replaceable as possible, then we show up for ourselves, and allow our skillsets to be easily passed on to others.

 

WORST CAREER MOMENT

In a previous role, early in her career, Janet told her manager that she had aspirations to be a manager herself. This was met with derision by her superior, and unfortunately changed her attitude towards Janet into one of negativity.

 

CAREER HIGHLIGHT

Janet was part of a huge global launch that went exceedingly well, impressing the global leadership, despite their reservations about her way of implementing it.

 

THE FUTURE OF CAREERS IN I.T

IT is ever evolving and requires a universe of different backgrounds and perspectives to make its applications as universal as possible. This means that it requires inclusivity and diversity in order to function at its best.

 

THE REVEAL

What first attracted you to a career in I.T.? – Janet was inspired by her professor.

What’s the best career advice you received? –Do now, and ask for forgiveness later.

What’s the worst career advice you received? – That becoming a manager was almost impossible.

What would you do if you started your career now? – Janet would focus on data analysis.

What are your current career objectives? – Expanding into technical product management

What’s your number one non-technical skill? – A love of people.

How do you keep your own career energized? – Exploring areas where true positive impacts can be made.

What do you do away from technology? – American football, snowboarding, surfing, wakeboarding and other physical pursuits.

 

FINAL CAREER TIP

Anytime you face rejection or hear the word “no”, remember that NO stands for new opportunities.

 

BEST MOMENTS

(3:57) – Janet – “Train the next generation and make opportunities for them”

(15:25) – Janet- “IT is an ever-evolving field”

(16:41) – Janet – “There are so many opportunities for people who are from different backgrounds. You don’t have to enjoy or love computer programming to be in it”

(17:24) – Janet – “We need all personality types in order to make technology successful”

 

ABOUT THE HOST – PHIL BURGESS

Phil Burgess is an independent IT consultant who has spent the last 20 years helping organizations to design, develop, and implement software solutions.  Phil has always had an interest in helping others to develop and advance their careers.  And in 2017 Phil started the I.T. Career Energizer podcast to try to help as many people as possible to learn from the career advice and experiences of those that have been, and still are, on that same career journey.

 

CONTACT THE HOST – PHIL BURGESS

Phil can be contacted through the following Social Media platforms:

Twitter: https://twitter.com/_PhilBurgess

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