By Optus Careers
It’s inspiring to see female leaders in STEAM. We sat down with Maria Cruz, Acting Associate Director of End-to-End Solutions in IT Core Systems to learn more about her inspiring career journey and all things IT at Optus.
You’re on an amazing career journey, tell us about your career so far.
I started my career in IT after university as a Java programmer where I began designing and building software products. With major telecommunication developments such as MMS, SMS, and 3G driving the release of many new phones, I joined one of the largest telecommunications companies in Asia, where I was exposed to multi-faceted projects.
When I moved to Australia, I was fortunate enough to land a Technical Lead role at Optus. Although it was initially a contract role, I saw it as the perfect opportunity to find my feet in a new country. Fast forward 15 years to 2021, I’m still here at Optus! I’ve been fortunate enough to work in different challenging roles in Networks and IT, designing solutions and building applications that enable our business to grow.
I thoroughly enjoy collaborating with people, helping others and building strong professional relationships. I’m also passionate about developing people and bringing the best out of them. It’s these qualities which have led me down the leadership path. I have recently moved into a role in IT Core Systems to lead a team of highly skilled architects who develop end-to-end solutions across the company.
What inspired you to pursue a STEAM career?
I have a passion for solving problems and that has inspired me to pursue a STEAM career. I love solving mysteries, and with the emergence of computers and technology, I thought that pursuing computer science would satisfy these interests.
What has been your proudest achievement at Optus?
I’m very proud of every project that I’ve delivered at Optus, but the most memorable one would be when I was one of the Technical Leads who delivered the initial version of the digital shop on our website. The complex environment and its short turn-around time for delivery made it very challenging. As an Integration Lead, I helped the team to increase their productivity by optimising their flow of work and providing a clear vision and objective. I also liaised with other leads and ensured all stakeholders were informed.
As a result of the digital shop launch, Optus was ranked number one in Global Reviews Digital Customer Experience Index (CEI) for that year. I was also nominated for the Optus annual Yes Awards and became one of the top three finalists.
It’s achievements like these and the amazing people I work with that make me look forward to coming into work.
What is one of the challenges you’ve faced as a woman working in IT and how did you overcome it?
Sometimes, I tend to be my worst critic as I can underestimate myself, my abilities, and overthink situations.
Thankfully, I have an amazing support network and mentors at Optus. This network and my mentors have helped to reassure me and guide me through the toughest of challenges. By believing in myself, staying authentic and putting my best foot forward, I have gained the respect and the trust of colleagues.
How has Optus supported your success as a female leader?
I lose count of the ways that Optus has helped and supported me in my technical and leadership journey. These include being part of our Talent Ambassador Program which allowed me to be surrounded by more like-minded people who have encouraged and inspired me. I was also part of the Optus Transformational Leadership and Executive Presence Program for our female talent which has enabled me to engage with senior leaders for mentorship and guidance. These programs were also very beneficial for me as advice and invaluable experiences of other leaders have helped me to grow to unlock my potential.
I believe that lifelong learning is the key to success. At Optus, there is a huge focus on personal and professional development. We have the right tools at our fingertips to help us learn and grow. One such tool is Optus U, a micro-credential program that allows our amazing people to upskill in customer experience, data and analytics, and artificial intelligence. I’m currently taking an Optus U course on Strategic CX. It’s been a fantastic experience and I’ve already been able to bring the design thinking principles into practice in my day to day role!
I’m so thankful that Optus is an amazing advocate of women and offer many development opportunities.
What advice would you give to a woman who is considering a STEAM career?
My secret weapon is my positive mindset. I believe having the right mindset boosts your confidence and energy. Once you have that, the rest will follow.
In any role, you may be faced with challenges. Even at first if you don’t succeed, a positive mindset will help you be resilient, persistent and ultimately overcome adversities to help you achieve a successful outcome.
When you have the right mindset, nothing can stop you.
If you’re inspired by Maria’s story and want to join an organisation that values diversity, check out our current roles.
