What inspired you to get into your job?
Many people have different reasons for choosing their careers, and I would like to share what inspired me to apply for the role as the End User Computing Manager for the Digital Services department at the London Borough of Enfield.
I have lived in Enfield for most of my life, and I feel a strong attachment to this town. I grew up here, went to school here, and made many friends here. I have seen how Enfield has changed over the years, and I wanted to be part of its future.
Working for the council gives me a chance to serve the community that I belong to, and to make a positive difference.
When I saw the opportunity to join the digital services team at Enfield, I was immediately attracted by the vision and the ambition of the department. I wanted to be part of a team that is transforming the way the council delivers services, using digital tools and platforms to improve efficiency, accessibility, and customer satisfaction.
Working in digital services is not only about technical skills and systems, but also about people and values. I am inspired by the council's plan to create a fairer, healthier, and more sustainable Enfield. By working in digital services, I can contribute to this plan by ensuring that the council's online services are accessible, user-friendly, and secure.
How does a typical workday morning start for you?
As the Manager of the EUC team, I oversee the maintenance, deployment and ongoing support of laptops, tablets, desktops, and mobile phones for the staff of the council – with responsibility of desk-side support for the various sites that our staff work from, such as libraries, community centres and offices. You could describe the team as the Digital Services staff facing Tech Bar. I take pride in delivering a high-quality service to our users – with a motivated and empowered team of engineers.
A typical workday morning for me begins with checking in with my team, making sure they are prepared for the start of day, and ready to deliver on the pre-booked appointments scheduled for new starters or staff who require IT support. Escalations, start of day reports, staff workloads, team demands, and assignment of incidents and tasks that require same day support or delivery.
I attend several support and management meetings that focus on the department's deliverables, service, governance, maintenance, project management, and continual service improvement requirements of the Digital Services Operations team. Each day is different, but the core responsibilities remain the same.
Working at London Borough of Enfield offers a flexible and supportive work environment that enables me to manage both my personal and professional responsibilities perfectly.
What advice would you have liked to have had about your profession if you were just starting out now?
Digital services are constantly evolving and changing, as new technologies, platforms, and standards emerge. I would always recommend staying relevant and competitive in the digital service industry, keeping up with the latest trends and technologies, and learning how to use them effectively. This can be achieved by reading blogs, newsletters, podcasts, attending webinars, workshops, or conferences, taking online courses or certifications.
What is the highlight of your role so far and what is has been your biggest learn to date?
As part of my role within the Digital Services department, I implemented sustainable and innovative solutions for the council's IT assets and services. Bringing to life the first Digital Services sustainable asset buyback scheme, which captured new value from retired assets and allowed reinvestment. This also reduced the environmental impact of the Digital Services IT operations and contributed to the LBE climate action plan.
Alongside my role as EUC Manager, I also spent 3 years as a board member of the Women into Leadership staff group, where I helped organise and support large-scale events on topics related to gender equality and women's empowerment.
I co-organised and co-facilitated the International Women's Day event, which featured high-profile keynote speakers such as Liz Earle MBE and Baroness Tanni Grey-Thompson.
I also led an #IamRemarkable workshop as a facilitator, where I encouraged participants to celebrate their achievements and overcome self-doubt.
My learnings
My biggest learning to date is trusting myself to take a leap to do something new. I have learnt to embrace new challenges and opportunities, and to showcase my skills and talents.
Additionally, I've been inspired by the stories and experiences of speakers and participants at the events I've organised and facilitated.
What are your future professional aspirations?
Everyone has goals and dreams for their future, and I am no exception. I have always been passionate about learning new things, exploring new possibilities, and making a positive impact in both my professional and personal life.
I am particularly drawn to continuous service improvement initiatives that empower users through self-service capabilities, enabling them to seamlessly access the tools and equipment they need. For instance, the recent installation of self-service smart lockers has demonstrated transformative potential.
My future professional aspirations include advancing my career through leadership roles and service management opportunities. By focusing on leadership, I can create an environment where ideas flourish and individuals feel inspired to contribute to meaningful change.