Interview
My name is Milica Popadic, and I have been working at Axians for over five years. Currently, I hold the position of Network and Security Engineer and am part of the Infrastructure Solutions division. Our team is relatively small, consisting of eight members, including our manager.
Due to the size of our team, I can speak on behalf of my colleagues when I say that our roles often extend beyond the scope of our official job titles. We possess a broad range of knowledge across multiple fields, which might seem unusual to employees in larger teams or companies in other countries.
While this diversity can sometimes be challenging, I believe it presents a valuable opportunity for us to continually learn and expand our expertise beyond our primary responsibilities. For example, although my main role is in networking and security, I currently spend much of my time working with virtualization technologies, particularly VMware, in addition to my core tasks.
Overall, I have eight years of work experience. Prior to joining Axians, I worked for another company for three years, starting as an intern. It was during that time that I was introduced to networking, and I was encouraged to pursue the CCNA certification, which is a foundational but highly important credential in the field of networking. I immediately fell in love with the subject and developed a deep passion for it.
After earning my CCNA certification, I became involved in numerous projects and gained a wealth of hands-on experience through on-site fieldwork. This practical knowledge proved invaluable and has greatly benefited me in my current role at Axians.
Even during my studies, I knew I wanted to do something dynamic and creative. I was never drawn to rote memorization; instead, I enjoyed logical thinking, analysis, and problem-solving. So, it was clear to me early on that I would pursue a career as an engineer. When it came time to choose my path, the IT industry was booming in my country, and the demand for IT professionals was enormous.
Another motivating factor was the lack of women in the field. This inspired me even more, as I wanted to demonstrate that women could make significant contributions to the industry. That passion has driven me throughout my career.
Now, after five years at Axians, I’ve gained even more experience and have grown in my role as a Network and Security Engineer, while also taking on additional responsibilities. That’s how I’ve reached my current position today.
After several years in my previous job, I reached a point where I felt the need for a new challenge. My days had started to feel repetitive, and I knew it was time for a change. It was during this period that I received a message from a former classmate, who I had studied with, telling me about an open position at SNT.
Even though my friend wasn’t working at the company, he saw the job advertisement and reached out because he knew I wasn’t fully satisfied in my current role. He mentioned that there was a huge project coming up, and they were looking for an engineer, suggesting I apply. His confidence in the opportunity immediately convinced me, and I felt like this was the right next step.
Everything moved very quickly after that. I had an interview the next day with my manager, Dragomir. It was a long but very pleasant conversation, during which he explained what the company expected from me. They valued my experience in network and security but needed someone who could also work with virtualization for a large project. They had a colleague who was an expert in virtualization, but due to the size of the project, they needed additional help. I was asked if I was willing to learn and pass the VMware certification, which I immediately accepted.
I started working shortly after that and successfully passed my VMware exam. I also have to mention my colleague Milan Markovic, who has been an incredible mentor to me. He helped introduce me to the company, shared his knowledge in virtualization and networking, and guided me through other fields as well. Over time, we became good friends, and he has been there for both professional and personal advice. It was great to feel so welcomed by more experienced colleagues, and Milan became a role model for me—someone I really look up to. I was given an excellent example to follow with my younger colleagues.
Network and Security Engineer at Axians Montenegro
Like many people, my day starts with coffee—lots of coffee! After making myself a cup, I check my emails and then dive into my daily tasks. What’s on the agenda for the day often depends on the weekly team meeting we have with our manager, where we discuss any challenges, the progress of ongoing projects, and receive new tasks for the week.
One of the things I enjoy most is our brainstorming sessions. Whenever we run into an issue, we gather around the huge whiteboard in the office—it’s never empty, always covered in drawings and ideas. These sessions are filled with creative energy, and the collaborative environment really helps solve problems more efficiently.
Of course, there are also days when we focus on individual tasks, especially when we have multiple projects running simultaneously. Even then, we’re always available to each other for technical advice or consultations. But what I love most is the teamwork. I find it to be the most productive and creative way to work, where sharing ideas and opinions leads to faster and better results compared to working alone.
When I first joined Axians after coming from another company, I immediately noticed some significant differences. One of the biggest was that, no matter how much work there is, you never feel like you’re working under pressure. Our manager assigns tasks with very reasonable deadlines, which was a real game-changer for me.
Another key thing I’ve learned here is how to work to higher standards. The work methodology, project tracking, and progress tracking are much more structured. I’ve learned how to properly document projects, which is incredibly important, especially for younger employees. Learning how to work efficiently and with proper documentation is essential for building a strong foundation in any career.
I really want to emphasize how valuable it is for young engineers to work in environments like this. Unfortunately, not all companies in Montenegro operate with such high standards and practices, so being at Axians has been a great learning experience for me in that regard.
It might sound cliché, but I believe my biggest career challenge has been being a woman in this industry. When I say that, I’m mostly referring to interactions with clients, particularly during that first contact.
Sometimes, when there’s a technical issue and I need to go on-site to meet a client for the first time, I can sense their skepticism. They might not say it outright, but I can see it in their eyes—wondering if I can handle the job or if a male colleague is coming to assist me. They might question whether I can manage the technical work and “get my hands dirty,” so to speak.
Fortunately, that uncertainty only lasts during the initial contact. Once they see that I’m fully capable of doing the job and that there’s no difference between having a male or female engineer, the relationship quickly becomes positive, and we establish great communication. However, that awkward first moment still happens more often than I’d like.
As for Axians, I have to say the company is different. There’s absolutely no distinction between male and female employees when it comes to hiring or growth opportunities. What truly matters here is our knowledge, skills, and expertise, which is something I genuinely appreciate. Axians supports all of us equally, encouraging our professional development and investing in our education.
I do hope that things will continue to change, especially in Montenegro, where it’s still a bit more conservative compared to places like Germany or France. I believe that over time, more women will enter and thrive in this industry, and that initial skepticism will fade.
It’s hard to pinpoint just one thing because, in our line of work, every day feels like a mini success story. Our job is so dynamic that we constantly face new challenges and problems that need solving, and the satisfaction that comes from resolving an issue is hard to describe.
But if I had to highlight one major project, it would definitely be the first project that brought me to Axians. Everything was new to me at the time: I was just starting with virtualization, I was new to the company, and I was new to the team. Despite that, I fit in really well with my colleagues, which made all the difference.
That project was significant—it was for the government’s ID documents, a huge undertaking since it was the first time we implemented documents with personal certificates in our country. It was a complex and large-scale project, but looking back, I feel really proud of how well we handled it and how much I learned from the experience.
Many engineers eventually move into sales roles, but that’s not something I aspire to. I truly love engineering, and I want to stick with it. My main goals revolve around expanding my technical knowledge and exploring new technologies.
Right now, I’m focused on diving deeper into other virtualization solutions. I’m also planning to pursue additional certifications, particularly in the field of security. We work extensively with Check Point, and one of my key goals for this year is to pass the Check Point Expert exam.
I’ve always appreciated how supportive our company is when it comes to learning and development. They’re willing to invest in our education, even though these trainings can be quite expensive and often aren’t available in Montenegro—or even online sometimes. Having that kind of support makes it easier to keep pushing myself toward my technical goals.
Network and Security Engineer at Axians Montenegro
My advice to new employees would be to fully take advantage of all the resources our company offers. We have such a vast platform and a network of incredibly skilled engineers that you can learn from. Don’t hesitate to reach out, absorb knowledge, and later, share your own experiences with others.
I also think it’s important for younger generations to understand that success doesn’t come for free. You have to work really hard to achieve your goals. While teamwork is essential and a great part of the process, it’s that individual effort and dedication that really helps you grow professionally.
When it comes to hard work and continuous learning, I honestly can’t think of a better place than Axians. There are so many opportunities and resources available for both young and experienced engineers to keep learning and to share knowledge with others. So my advice is simple: stay curious, stay dedicated, and make the most of what’s in front of you.