We caught up with Product Owner Zivile to get her thoughts on the importance of transferable skills and maintaining a healthy work-life balance.
To begin with, did you always know you wanted to work in a creative industry?
Not at all! If I’m being honest, I didn’t have much of an idea of what I wanted to do coming out of university.
The communications program I studied covered a broad range of industries, which was helpful because it gave me a taste of a lot of different things. But even after that, I still felt overwhelmed and unsure about what I wanted to do.
From there, I was able to drill down into the areas I wanted to explore, and eventually, I found myself gravitating toward the tech industry.
I was always curious about how everything worked behind the scenes, so I went to coding school to learn more about the ins and outs.
After university, I began a career in the advertising industry, which turned out to be a great combination of creativity and technology.
Did you find university worthwhile?
A university degree can be useful, but it’s not necessarily for everyone.
I think university is a great time to explore your interests, develop new skills, and meet new people from different walks of life.
But there are many successful people out there who don’t have a degree. Whether you need one depends on your goals and your learning style.
There’s a lot of pressure to choose a career path right out of school, but it’s perfectly OK to take some time to explore your options, try different things, and see what you’re good at and what you enjoy.
Most skills are quite transferable across different industries. For instance, the critical thinking skills I developed at university have become invaluable throughout my career, even though I didn’t end up in a traditional communications role.
Ultimately, I think the decision of whether or not to go to university is a personal one.
The course I chose provided me with a good foundation in certain areas, but some careers might not require the formal education you get at university. Interning at an agency, for example, has its own advantages.
I still try to learn new things and be on top of the latest technologies and innovations, and I’d recommend everyone to try to keep the passion for learning, whether that’s through online courses or other ways.
What advice would you give someone interested in pursuing a career in ad tech?
First and foremost, be prepared to work hard and prove yourself. The ad tech industry is competitive, so it’s important to be willing to put in the extra effort.
It may seem overwhelming at first because there are many different elements to this industry, but having the willingness to take on any challenge will get you far.
Second, don’t be afraid to ask for help or mentorship.
Many experienced professionals in this industry are willing to support young people who are new to the industry, so look to find someone you respect and try to reach out to them for advice.
I’ve been fortunate enough to have had great managers that have then developed into mentors, but it’s extremely valuable to have someone with more experience than yourself there to help out along your journey, especially at first.
Lastly, be yourself and be authentic – there’s no need to try to be someone you’re not!
I believe the best way to succeed in any industry is to be genuine and never be afraid to bring your unique perspective to the table.
The ad tech industry in particular thrives on creativity and innovation, so keep thinking outside the box and coming up with new ideas.
How do you maintain well-being in the workplace?
For me, I try to keep things simple in my personal life. That way, I’m not attached to material possessions and I can adapt to new situations.
Distancing yourself from minor things, like what seat you have in the office or your favorite coffee mug, gives you more peace of mind when entering the new workplace. These things aren’t as important as some people might think!
As well as that, it helps to have a good team around you that you can be honest and open with one another.
The value of having a great working relationship with your team, knowing when and how to laugh things off, and keeping things in perspective is underestimated because you can fall into a spiral of feeling like everything is out of control.
Most circumstances at work aren’t a case of life or death.
There will always be deadlines and challenges, but if I’m feeling overwhelmed, I’ll always take the time to speak to my team so that we can find a solution together.
Often, especially when you start your career, it can feel daunting to do so, but open communication is key.
If something is bothering you, you should be able to talk to your manager or colleagues without judgment.
It’s also helpful to know when to take a step back and reassess the situation. If I’m feeling stressed, being in the fresh air helps, so I might take a walk outside or do some deep breathing exercises.
And of course, getting enough sleep, eating healthy foods, and exercising regularly all contribute to a healthy work-life balance.
How is life at SmartFrame?
I love being here at SmartFrame. The small team size allows us to build close relationships with each other.
We can rely on each other for personal and professional support and have a very open and honest communication style.
There are no egos in our team, and we’re not afraid to share ideas or ask for help. This makes it much easier to work together effectively and solve problems creatively.
There’s also a strong sense of camaraderie here, we socialize outside of work quite regularly in London but I do wish I could see my guys out in Berlin more often!
Another thing I appreciate is the level of trust here.
Everyone trusts each other to do their job, giving me the autonomy to make decisions. It feels more like a collaborative partnership than a top-down hierarchy.
Having worked in corporate environments before, I really appreciate the communication style at SmartFrame. It feels more like a team effort here, and we’re all working towards a common goal.
In some of my previous experiences, I’ve seen that the hierarchy was very rigid, and information wasn’t always shared freely, which could be frustrating at times as it made it difficult to collaborate effectively.
What would you say about the importance of taking risks in your career?
The world of work is constantly changing, so it’s important to be adaptable and willing to learn new things. Being open to change allows you to take advantage of new opportunities.
For example, my decision to move to London from Amsterdam was a big risk, but it ultimately paid off in terms of my career development and general quality of life.
Don’t be afraid to step outside your comfort zone and take risks. The biggest rewards often come from the things that scare us the most.
And don’t forget to have fun!
Work should be challenging, but it should also be enjoyable – and if you’re not having fun it might be time to look at why that is.
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