Having carved a career path in what was predominantly considered a male-dominated area of work, Olive Grant-Williams firmly believes that women have much to contribute to the field of technology. 

The current Senior Manager for Mobile Value-Added Systems and Support Platforms in Panama, Bahamas and Puerto Rico, and the 13 markets in which Flow operates, made her entry into the world of technology as a technician with Cable and Wireless some 39 years ago.

It was at a time when women working in technical fields was frowned upon by many. Grant-Williams was, however, undaunted.

Her first job, after graduating from the all-girls Alpha Academy, was at a credit union, where she worked for a year. Since 1983, however, she began what was her second job out of high school, where she has not only learnt but has been deeply involved in the delivery of quality service in the male-dominated technical side of the telecommunications business.

Sharing more about her career change, Grant-Williams reflected, “I wasn’t getting that joy, that satisfaction of what I needed in doing what I do, because in those times money was not really what you go after, for me at least. I wanted to enjoy what I was doing.  I wanted to be able to get this sense of peace, this sense of accomplishment in what I do.  I wanted to be able to help people.”

With that, she sort of ‘piggy-backed’ on her natural talent, an interest piqued by tinkering with electronic equipment in need of repair at home, such as pulling the iron and transistor radios apart in an attempt to repair them.

“It’s really a combination of understanding how things work, fixing it if it doesn’t work, and ensuring that whoever’s using it enjoys the use of it, and that’s why I really got into ICT,” she remarked.

Grant-Williams started as a technician at Cable & Wireless without formal training but was a quick study through on-the-job training and other courses. She also credits her husband, Harold and other male members of the team for the guidance and support received through the years.

“That’s also the beauty of Cable & Wireless, they trained me. And now I’m where I’m at because I pursued my dream and I still enjoy doing what I do. I still enjoy tinkering with technical stuff, I still get that satisfaction to do the things that I do and enjoy it,” she exclaimed.

As she climbed the ladder, her other roles included supervisor, manager, head of department and now Senior Manager, in charge of Mobile VAS and Support Platforms.

The high point of her career came in 1992, as one of the pioneers of the switch from analogue to digital. Grant-Williams related how she had to apply for the job, through a United Nations (UN) offering and was selected to go to Suriname for the cut-over for the DMS 100 (digital multiplexing switch), where she operated and managed the No.5.

“That, for me, was a major highlight. I was also moving across Jamaica to help cut-over from the analogue switch to digital and because of what I was able to achieve, the cutovers were successful … the first digital switch!” she remarked. A true stalwart, with 39 years of experience in the technology industry, she offers high marks for efforts being made by her company and others in the tech industry to equalize opportunities for women.

Gender equality was among the areas of focus for International Women’s Day on March 8 and while Grant-Williams believes the special recognition accorded women annually “is a good idea”, it should be the norm.

“I honestly don’t think there should have to be an International Women’s Day. I say this because if everyone was treated equally, it could be an International High Achievers Day,” the mother of three adults posited. “Based on where we are, it’s ok. It (IWD celebration) has to be like this because of what exists,” she reasoned. “But there needs to be greater recognition for women globally and the work that we do.”

Her sentiments are reflected in this year’s IWD theme, #BreakTheBias, which focused on a gender-equal world, one free of bias, stereotypes and discrimination, a world that is diverse, equitable and inclusive, and one where differences are valued and celebrated.

Reinforcing the point, Grant-Williams explained that there are equal opportunities for learning in the technology field, with just as many women involved in her course while studying Computer Studies at the former College of Arts, Science and Technology (CAST), now the University of Technology, and “more women in the class” for her Telecommunications Policy and Technology Management Master’s programme at the University of the West Indies.

“Getting into the workplace is where the gate wasn’t open wide,” she said. “At school, they’ve been doing it for a while.

“My one hope is that more organizations will be open-minded enough to assess the individual for their value and their worth and not gender. Give everyone an equal opportunity to get where they want to go, based on their ability, their quality.”

For this year’s IWD celebration, Liberty Latin America (the parent company of Flow), included a focus on girls and women in technology, in a bid to encourage more girls and women towards careers in STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Math).

“I think it’s a good move for my company to encourage and recognize these women. I really want to channel the interest of young women in this direction. It is a field that you must not feel intimidated in,” said Grant-Williams. “What the company is driving for is a good move and one I hope will be adopted by all. I want to encourage everyone out there, especially females, to go for it. If you believe it, you can do it. Sometimes we doubt ourselves and we don’t realize the strength that we have within.”

In the meantime, she continues to impart her knowledge and feel joyful.

“I have been able to help a number of my technicians to grow.  I’ve guided them and now a couple of them are in senior management positions. I don’t hold back in my knowledge or experience. So, when I have persons who report to me, I like to share it,” she beamed.

“When I look around and see where many of them have reached, I feel good because they’ve achieved, and because I’ve helped them to succeed,” she added.