Connect Everything and Create a Better Tomorrow
Tips from a network planning specialist engineer
As a network planning specialist engineer at Banglalink , it’s Nabila’s job to make communication across Bangladesh seamless. From our awesome talk with Nabila, we’ve gathered four nuggets of wisdom to help you make connections and get on the path to glory.
1. Maybe people can’t build castles in the air, but great things can happen
There is a Bengali proverb about building castles in the air. It basically means to daydream about something that could never come true.
Instead of daydreaming, go do something great. That’s what Nabila tries to do for her customers.
“We’re improving our network by deploying more mobile infrastructure, specifically BSS (base station subsystems),” describes Nabila. “I’m working with BTS (base transceiver station) towers, planning how many we can install at specific sites to optimize our network.”
Nabila and her team’s work is having a profound impact across the country. People have technology at their fingertips that can enrich their lives.
When you ask Nabila about the impact her work has, she smiles and says:
“We’re improving networks not just in big cities, but also in towns and rural areas. It’s really exciting to bring advanced communications technology to everyone. Mobile technology is only getting better, and it’s transforming the Bangladesh economy. I’m excited to be part of the team that’s helping deliver it.”
Though Nabila hasn’t built castles in the air (yet), she’s doing great things for her customers. That’s because she’s connected to what her customers want: Better connections!
You can do great things, too. Just take the advice of the proverb to heart and take action like Nabila. Who knows? Maybe castles can be built in the air.
2. You learn cricket to play cricket
Cricket is huge in Bangladesh, and lots of children are learning it. That’s because they want to play the game!
What’s the idea here? It’s that you learn things in order to do things. Nabila believes this.
“From my studies to my position here, my goal has always been to apply what I’ve learned and what I’m learning to my career,” attests Nabila.
If you ask Nabila about her journey to Banglalink, it’s clear that each part has been a stepping stone to something greater. It began with her passion for coding as a teenager.
“I followed my interests and completed my degree in computer science and telecommunications engineering — two subjects that were all the craze in Bangladesh at the time,” states Nabila.
Following school, Nabila worked for Huawei as a solutions engineer, providing clients with products and services that fit their needs. Then, she moved on to Banglalink.
“While working on the vendor side (Huawei), I learned a lot about sales and customer motivations,” recalls Nabila. “Then, I felt it was time to learn about the operator side (Banglalink). I want to learn the whole network!”
Nabila is taking full advantage of her opportunities at Banglalink. The chance to improve is what drove her to the company.
“For candidates interested in Banglalink, I would say you should work here because the employee culture is excellent and we have an important role in the country,” says Nabila. “So, you can really learn a lot here and make breakthroughs in your career.”
Nabila’s career path and her advice to candidates show us a great strategy for improvement: Connect everything you’re learning and experiencing, like Nabila is doing; you’ll go further.
3. It’s easier to climb Mount Everest with a team
Climbing Mount Everest is a dream for many. This dream is best chased with others (though people have made the ascent alone).
Anyway, you get the point! Have big dreams — but do work with others to get there. If you ask Nabila about her job and bigger goals, she stresses the importance of going after the things you want and connecting with others to achieve those goals.
“One piece of advice I wish my childhood self would have lived by is to do what you want to do — and do it with great confidence,” states Nabila. “I realized this at university, and I chose telecommunications because it’s my passion and I can have a positive impact. I was actually the only female in my class to choose the telecommunications path.”
When you talk with Nabila about being a woman in technology, she emphasizes the importance of making connections with other women in the industry.
“I’m actually a part of an employees Facebook group called Women in Tech,” says Nabila. “It’s really an inspiring group, and there are tons of networking opportunities. The forum offers great support and motivation for me, and I like helping others, too. The group is helping me improve tremendously!”
So, if you want to achieve glory, you must not only follow your dreams, but you also need to connect with others. It’s the only way you’ll have the strength to reach the destination you seek.
4. Stop and hear the birds sing
Have you ever just stopped and listened to birds singing? It’s one of those things in nature that makes you say, “Wow!”
Wait! Why are we talking about birds? Well, what we’re saying is that you should relax and enjoy the pleasures of life when you can. For Nabila, that’s a mixture of ‘me time’ and family time.
“When I’m not busy, I read a lot. I especially like science fiction,” says Nabila. “I also listen to music. I like all sorts of music, like hip hop and slow songs. I also love all sorts of Bangladeshi music. Let’s have a listen!”
“Of course, I don’t get much ‘me time’ because I want to spend all my free time with my family,” explains Nabila. “My daughter and I love being together. She’s showed me that family is the most important thing — nothing is stronger. When I spend time with her, my stress just leaves.”
Taking time for her family and herself is what keeps Nabila’s life balanced. This way, when it’s time to work again, she’s in the right mindset to perform well.
Connecting the dots to the top
Nabila has shown you how to use connections to improve yourself. Connect your education to your work, connect with your customers, and connect with others in your field. This is how you can advance yourself to the next level. Just be sure to stop for some music during the ride.
