Name: Orit Magyar
Date of birth: 1971
Title: Director, Business Support Applications (Global IT)
Company: Coloplast
Degree: Master in Biotechnology/Chemistry and Bachelor in Management (EBA)
Fun fact: Climbing instructor and eager mountain hiker
What do you find most interesting about your career and your leadership position?
The diversity of responsibilities and people I have worked with, is definitely the most interesting thing. It has taught me the value of surrounding myself with people of different opinions. I also think that the fact that my career has had many twists and turns – shifting in leadership layers and specialists positions – shows that you don’t have to have a straight line career path – you should try out different things to discover what is the best match for you at that time in your life and embrace that you learn from this. I am constantly growing and adjusting my career to this.
The most interesting thing about my leadership position is the 360 degree leadership perspective. I find it equally interesting to develop my team and interact with my peers in different parts of the organization, as well as externally, and I especially like that no days look the same.
What has been crucial to get you to where you are today?
Daring to lean into the unknown and grabbing opportunities – also the ones that were not on the cards when I graduated. I also think that paying attention to my skills and preferences on a continuous basis has played an important role in selecting and deselecting opportunities and eventually lead me to a position that matches my preferences and skills. Last but not least, I have always had a strong passion to engage in what I believe in and have never been afraid to articulate what I believe.
Tell us about a female role model and the impact they had on you – either personally or professionally?
I could name many, but I think the most interesting is that they all have the same traits. They stand by who they are and they fight for a cause they strongly believe in: driven by an inner compass. Strong and yet compassionate. These women have shown me that you don’t have to fit into a stereotype to have influence and inspire others. If you use your strengths and are in sync with your beliefs it sends a much stronger message than trying to live up to the typical stereotype of a leadership character.
What advice would you give to young female students today?
Make little mental reminders every time you experience something that you really enjoy in a work situation or really dislike. These markers show from the very beginning of our career, even in student jobs. Some of these markers will also reveal if leadership is going to be your path. Leadership is a discipline in itself, so make sure it is your passion. Do you enjoy seeing others grow? Are you an inspiration for others? If you answer yes to these questions – then don’t be afraid to jump into the opportunities that occur on your path. Remember that every step is a learning and it is from our mistakes that we learn.
Looking into the future, what role do you think STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Mathematics) education will have?
I believe that STEM education will be fundamental for our ability to drive the sustainability and the climate agenda. We will have to find technological solutions to motivate humanity into a more sustainable way of living.