Women of GTconsult
In honour of Women's Month, we are celebrating the stories of women at GTconsult who inspire us every day.
Midnight De Waal- SharePoint Guru
Meet Midnight, our SharePoint Guru at GTconsult, who plays a pivotal role in ensuring that our clients get the most out of their SharePoint environments. With a deep commitment to delivering high-quality support, Midnight excels in troubleshooting and resolving technical issues across both SharePoint on-premises and SharePoint Online platforms. Her expertise extends to client consultation, where she tailors solutions to meet specific needs, optimizes workflows, and advises on best practices. Beyond troubleshooting, Midnight is also responsible for system maintenance and upgrades, ensuring that SharePoint environments remain healthy and up-to-date. Her collaboration with development teams further enhances the value she brings, deploying custom features and resolving intricate issues that require code-level expertise.
We asked Midnight to answer 10 questions to better understand her as well as the role she is in. Let's get to know this powerhouse!
1. What did you want to be when you grew up, and what led you to your current career path?
I wanted to be a Programmer, and currently, I'm in Cloud technologies, as I believe Cloud Technologies are the way forward.
2. Which women inspire you to be the best version of yourself, and why?
2. Which women inspire you to be the best version of yourself, and why?
Definitely my mom - she's independent, works hard, and goes above and beyond.
3. Which women are your top three dinner party guests, and what would you ask them?
3. Which women are your top three dinner party guests, and what would you ask them?
Selena Gomez
Taylor Swift
Celine Dion
I would ask them how they have made a massive success of their careers even though they are struggling with their mental and physical health.
4. What do you think is the key to building a workplace where women thrive?
4. What do you think is the key to building a workplace where women thrive?
Recognition for going above and beyond, requiring equality between a woman's workload and a man's workload.
5. What makes you a strong woman, and what fulfils you in your personal and professional life?
5. What makes you a strong woman, and what fulfils you in your personal and professional life?
I will go above and beyond in my professional life and in my personal life for my family and friends.
6. Why do you think it’s important for more women to join the tech industry?
6. Why do you think it’s important for more women to join the tech industry?
Yes, because some women still see IT as a "man's world", I get A LOT of women that tell me "Wow, you're the first woman I've ever heard of in IT".
7. What advice would you give to yourself or someone else just starting out in your field?
7. What advice would you give to yourself or someone else just starting out in your field?
Begin with Servers and Networking, thereafter, get into MS Products, especially SharePoint.
8. What motivates you to excel?
8. What motivates you to excel?
What drives me in my role is the opportunity to solve complex problems and make a tangible difference in how organizations operate. SharePoint is a powerful tool for collaboration, and I am motivated by the challenge of ensuring that clients can leverage its full potential without technical barriers. The satisfaction of resolving issues that directly impact users' productivity and the continuous learning that comes with the ever-evolving SharePoint landscape keeps me motivated to excel in my role.
9. What are your goals for the next few years, both professionally and personally?
9. What are your goals for the next few years, both professionally and personally?
To be honest, I have no idea - my goals change daily for each week.
10. What message or piece of advice would you like to share with other women pursuing similar careers?
10. What message or piece of advice would you like to share with other women pursuing similar careers?
One piece of advice I would share with women pursuing a career in technology, especially in specialized fields like SharePoint support, is to embrace continuous learning and never underestimate the value of self-confidence. The tech industry is constantly evolving, and staying current with new tools, techniques, and best practices is crucial. Be proactive in seeking out learning opportunities, whether through formal education, certifications, or self-study.
Midnight’s dedication to solving complex problems and her passion for making a tangible difference in how organizations operate make her an invaluable asset to our team. We are incredibly fortunate to have someone like Midnight, whose expertise and commitment ensure that our clients' operations run smoothly and efficiently. Here’s to celebrating Midnight, a true SharePoint Guru, whose work continues to make a significant impact at GTconsult!