My n
ame is Julie Dzubay. I am the Vice President of Sales Operations at WTG. I have 29 years of experience in the telecommunications industry, 14 of those years working in the indirect channel.
Who influenced you in your early years to become a leader in your own life, what did they do for you?
Parents are to tell their children there isn’t anything they can’t achieve in life. My parents never told me that; they showed me that. I grew up without many rules. This instilled in me a full steam ahead mentality. It wasn’t until my early 30’s that I had a boss who was finally able to challenge my pace. The 8 years I reported to him, I never reached a point where I could rest on my laurels. When I could see the finish line, he would challenge me on my next initiative. I learned that it was more rewarding to continuously be challenged and experience accomplishments than it was to just do a job.
What difficulty have you overcome that impacted your career for the better?
The telecom industry has a volatile history. Mergers, acquisitions, rapid growth followed by downsizing, centralization, decentralization and constant change. I have had my position eliminated and seen the companies I work for purchase other companies only to then be purchased themselves. With each change, my career path transformed. I acquired new skills and grew as an individual. During my 29 years in the industry, I reported to 16 different bosses. This gave me the opportunity to learn many different management styles and leadership skills.
Why did you join Women in the Channel and what have you gotten out of your membership?
I was unaware of Women in the Channel (WiC) until a change in channel leadership placed me under a new boss. Within the first week I reported to him, he instructed me to enroll and the company would cover my membership fee. I am so grateful for the relationships I have formed in the WiC organization.
What mistakes have you made in your career and what advice would you give to someone new to the channel?
Early in my career, I was very aggressive in the way I worked with people. Recently there has been a lot of good content on developing a high emotional IQ. The more I understand emotional IQ, the more I recognize that was the cause of many of my mistakes. I highly recommend reading up on emotional IQ and prioritizing that professional skill.
Where do you see the women in our industry thriving?
Being a member of WiC provides opportunity for developing leadership skills through involvement in the many different committees and the board. WiC also provides exposure to connections outside of your typical work circle. We can use the skills and connections we have through WiC to elevate the wonderful women in our industry and improve diversity in our companies. By supporting each other, the women in technology will become a larger part of leadership within the industry.
How are you positioning yourself to stay relevant and support your clients in the coming year?
There are so many sources of information and content in our industry. I am continuously improving my sources of information in order to identify which sources are the most effective and feature the most forward thinking content.
When have you helped another women gain confidence & connection, what happened?
I had the privilege of hosting a wonderful young woman from the Vet program at the Channel Partner show this year. In one of my Partner meetings, I invited her to participate in the conversation. Upon completion of our business agenda, she asked for advice on how to become a successful business woman, like the women in our meeting.