Michelle is the IT Director at Johnson Controls, Inc. Her responsibilities include Governance, Architecture and Acquisitions within the Building Efficiency Division.
Previously, she was the Director of Business Infrastructure for Sony Ericsson Mobile Communications. In this role she managed the Business Infrastructure organization within Corporate Information Technology (IT).
From January 2004 to March 2008, Michelle was on assignment in Malmo, Sweden. Her areas of responsibility included IT Facilities and Data Centers, Client and Serve Operations, Network Services, IT Security, Monitoring Solutions and Enterprise Services.
Michelle has been featured in Black Enterprise and she has participated as a panelist at the Black Enterprise Women of Power Summit and Black Women on Wall Street Summit. Career Communications Group, Inc honored her for being one of the Most Important Blacks in Technology (MIBiT).
In addition to her academic and professional accomplishments, Michelle has found a way to give back to her community. She has created "Youth on Track". This program is based in Valdosta, GA at Bethel CME Church. The program encourages youth to become more proactive versus reactive in their thinking, when preparing for high school/college, in dealing with finances and job readiness. She currently resides in Milwaukee, WI.
Expat Women's Interview With Michelle
Expat Women:Michelle, you are an obvious success story, yet you tick multiple minority boxes: female; Black; you work in a traditionally male area: information technology. What do you say to anyone who feels like their minority status is hindering their success?
Michelle:The only limits set are the ones you place on yourself. Many times you get in your own way. If you are doing your part and taking accountability and responsibility for your career, then "your status" should only be a blimp on the radar.
You have to understand what success means for you. I have found people will sometimes feel hindered because they are measuring themselves by someone else's achievements. Defining your own success and working towards the goal will paint a clear picture of what challenges may or may not be in your way.
Expat Women:
Please tell us more about why you took your expat assignment in Sweden and why you think that experience has been a key contributor to your high level of achievement today?
Michelle:I took the assignment because I knew it was important for me to take advantage of the opportunity being presented. I was selected for this expat assignment so it was clear I had support from within my management team. I was having success within the US and it was important for me to understand if the lessons I learned could help me achieve success abroad.
The project assignments and promotions I received during my time abroad are confirmation of how the expat opportunity was and continues to be a contributor in my achievement. While living in Sweden, I travelled within Europe, Asia and the Middle East. I was in a position to work with different teams, a higher level of management, various cultures and I had more responsibility and the chance to stretch myself.
Even now within Johnson Controls, I find myself able to engage in the conversation regarding how to work as a truly global team. As well, I can offer any lessons learned from my time abroad.
Outside of my professional achievements, the assignment has helped me personally. I now have a story to tell. I have insight to share. There are opportunities for me to get more involved in my community and be an example of how far you can go if you are focused, disciplined and willing to think outside the box.
Expat Women: Looking back, what did you find to be the most difficult aspects of your assignment in Sweden and how did you overcome those obstacles?
Michelle: At times it was a challenge making the adjustment to the culture and my new work environment. I worked to understand my colleagues and how they liked to work. It required me to slow down, become a more active listener and to be more open to different views.
Expat Women: What tips would you give professional women abroad, in terms of choosing and succeeding in their assignments?
Michelle:
Choose an assignment that aligns with your career goals. Understand the expectations being set for you and your assignment and ensure you effectively communicate your expectations. It is important to have support from within your personal and professional network.
Throughout your assignment and career, having effective dialogue with your management/team will help keep you aligned. This type of communication should be a regular occurrence not an activity that only happens in the beginning of an assignment.
The willingness to haveopen dialogue is extremely important. You must be able to provide constructive feedback, ask for feedback and be receptive to the responses.
Learn to reach beyond where you are. Focus on where you are going rather than where you have been.
Expat Women: What advice can you share about the repatriation experience and trying to adapt to life back home, both on a personal and professional level?
Michelle: During your assignment, maintain your contacts and networks back in your home country. You should find ways to mesh your two worlds together. This will allow you the opportunity to leverage both. Once the transition begins, make notes, outline your tasks and plan as many details as possible.
Regardless of how smooth the transition, it is an overwhelming process. For me, it was like starting from scratch. I had to find somewhere to live, buy a car and get acclimated in my new work environment. All of this was very different in the US than in Europe. Although, the US is home, I had been away for almost 4 years. You do not realize how much things have changed while you were away.
Expat Women: Michelle, thank you very much for generously sharing your experiences with our Expat Women community. We sincerely wish you all the very best in your future career and personal journeys.
