In honour of International Women's Day, we're thrilled to feature Sangeeta Rai, a Senior Technical Program Manager with almost 7 years of invaluable experience at airasia. Hailing from Ipoh, Perak– Sangeeta has been an instrumental figure in our team's achievements, and we can't wait to inspire you as we share her story as an Allstar with you! 💪👩‍💼

Q: Can you walk us through your typical routine and the tasks you tackle on a daily basis? We're curious to hear about how you prioritize your workload, collaborate with your team, and ensure that everything runs smoothly. So, spill the beans - what's an average day at work like for you?

Well, every day starts with a quick check of urgent emails and chats to make sure I'm up to date on any pressing matters. Then, I prioritize my to-do list and dive into my tasks for the day. One of my main responsibilities is managing requests from Businesses for Airline Tech services, which I stay on top of by keeping a close eye on our TRIP (JIRA) platform.

But it's not all about individual tasks– collaboration is key in my role. I attend team meetings to stay in the loop on programs my colleagues are managing, and I also host meetings when I need feedback or input. Of course, I also always make time to check in with my team members and make sure they have everything they need to succeed. At the end of the day, it's all about keeping things running smoothly and making sure everyone is on the same page.

Q: Let's start at the beginning. We all have our own unique paths that have led us to where we are today. Can you tell us a bit about yours? Did you always know you wanted to be in tech, or did you have a different path in mind before finding your way here?

Initially, I started my career in Procurement, Commercial & Contract Management. However, I decided to move on to the IT industry by joining an IT company which focuses on system implementation mainly for Project Management, Risk Management & Document Management. My role as a PMO Business Manager was to provide consultancy services for PMO best practices and propose system implementation to clients like Telekom R&D, TNB, and Asia Development Bank as well as a housing development program in Malaysia, PR1MA.

Q: We'd love to hear about the defining moment that sparked your passion for project management. What made you realize that this was the career path for you?

I was initially exposed to project management during my tenure at my previous company, which drove me to develop an interest in IT Project Management. Eventually, I decided to take up MSc in Project Management to pursue my career as IT PM/IT PMO Manager.

Q: If you could step into any role at AirAsia for a day, what position would you choose and why?

I enjoy my work a lot, and I honestly can't think of anything else other than PMO. However, if I had the opportunity for a day, I would be interested in trying out audit due to my past experiences or risk management which I dived into for my master’s thesis.

Q: As an expert in project management, we'd love to know - what do you think is the most important trait that a project manager should possess in order to be successful?

To be a good Project Manager, you would need a good level of communication, as clear communication is key in effectively managing projects. Successful Project Managers should be able to articulate in a concise and straightforward manner. They should also be good listeners and possess high comprehension skills in order to understand unstated (non-verbal) and stated messages.

Q: It's always great to get to know the person behind the profession! Can you share with us a fun fact about yourself that people might not know?

I enjoy time out with friends and family. Although I’m not a professional dancer, I do like dancing as well, especially Bollywood dancing which I choreograph with my husband & my siblings.

Q: We're all itching to travel again after a long hiatus. Do you have any upcoming travel plans? If so, where are you headed next?

Yes! It has always been a dream to travel to London or Dubai.

Q: Your journey to becoming an expert in project management is truly inspiring. For those who aspire to follow in your footsteps, what words of advice or wisdom would you offer to them?

Always go the extra mile to get things done and do not drop the ball. It is also important to have empathy, lead by example and be there for your team. This way, your consistency & effort will be worthwhile and you will be recognized for your effort.