Employee Spotlight: Takiya Brown, Lead Support Engineer

Navigating Career Growth and Work-Life Balance at Ndustrial

In today’s dynamic work environment, balancing career advancement and personal commitments is a challenge many professionals face. At Ndustrial, Takiya Brown, Lead Support Engineer, exemplifies how dedication, skill development, and a supportive work culture can foster professional success and personal fulfillment. Here, we delve into Takiya’s journey—from her early days as a support analyst to her current role overseeing critical support processes. Discover how Ndustrial’s commitment to innovation and work-life balance has empowered Takiya to thrive in the cleantech industry while upholding big responsibilities outside of work.

Let’s start at the beginning of your journey with Ndustrial. Can you tell us about how you started here and how your role has evolved over time?

Takiya: Sure! I joined Ndustrial back in April 2021, right in the midst of the pandemic. Initially, I started as a Software Support Engineer, primarily working remotely due to the office being closed. I was hired to be the liaison between our customers and developers. My responsibilities revolve around implementing and refining support processes, serving as the bridge between customers and our development team. Over time, I was promoted to the Lead Software Support Engineer role, which has allowed me to venture into the database and coding side of things a bit more. So, that might be something I get to shift into in the future. 

Reflecting on your career so far, what motivated you to join Ndustrial and what keeps you here?

Takiya: I was drawn to Ndustrial’s commitment to sustainability and innovation. I was intrigued that there was even a company that took on those values of wanting to see change in the world. Before Ndustrial, I was working at a larger corporation. At that time, I just felt like I was becoming a number rather than someone who could bring new ideas to the company. So, I started looking for new employment during the pandemic. I came across this position and I appreciated the opportunity to contribute meaningfully and be part of an organization that aligns with my values. It felt like a perfect match. The most exciting part that keeps me here I think is the collaboration when I get to work with different people, different departments, including the customers; just to see a problem through from start to finish, and to be included in the room and asked for suggestions about how we should do something or solve a problem. It’s just been amazing to be here working toward those values; to me, it’s the future, and it’s a very innovative company. I’m lucky to be here.

How has your manager and team supported your career aspirations during this time?

Takiya: My manager, Jonathan Skubic, has been incredibly supportive. He is always asking me how he can be helpful as far as my next steps in the company. He’s constantly pushing me to take any type of course, whether it be database or coding, to help me evolve in my role and to understand more about what software development does. He gives me new challenges to take on a new project. It’s a very supportive environment.

Could you walk us through a typical day in your current role?

Takiya: My focus is on identifying and troubleshooting issues for customers. We dig into logs and diagnose problems, then we collaborate closely with the developers to resolve them. My day typically starts with checking emails and attending to urgent customer issues. I manage our support queue, ensuring that tickets are triaged and directed to the appropriate teams. I lead our daily meetings, like our support triage session, which keep me and the rest of the team aligned with ongoing issues and collaborations across different departments. It’s a dynamic role that involves a lot of multitasking and problem-solving.

What are some of the challenges you encounter?

Takiya: Staying abreast of rapidly evolving technologies is a constant challenge. We’re such an innovative company, so it’s hard to keep up with everything that development might introduce. Sometimes it goes over my head. Sometimes I can understand it. Sometimes I can just catch on right away. But just trying to adapt to changes that come up within the company.

How has Ndustrial supported your work-life balance, especially considering responsibilities outside of work?

Takiya: It’s a breath of fresh air to work for a company that doesn’t question your dedication to them just because you have a family outside of them. Sometimes, being a mother can get very difficult, and my dad is currently going through chemotherapy, so I’ve been traveling from Raleigh to South Carolina quite often to make sure everyone is fine and taken care of. Everyone’s been so understanding through this. There was something that happened to me probably about three years ago that was really personal and I was out of work for about two weeks, and everybody just kind of rallied around me with support. They sent me and my family dinner, breakfast, and whatever we needed. My team and leadership at Ndustrial checked on us every day. So, that was so important to me and it felt like I wasn’t just a number at this company. I felt like they really cared about me. It’s just very comforting to know that I have someone in my corner. 

Looking ahead, what are you most excited about as Ndustrial moves into its next phase?

Takiya: I’m excited to see the company’s growth and expansion, particularly welcoming new talent and fresh ideas. I also hope to eventually build a team within my department, which would be a new challenge and opportunity for me.

Finally, what advice would you give to someone starting their career in the clean tech industry or a related field?

Takiya: I would advise them to educate themselves about the industry and the company they’re interested in. It’s important to be passionate about sustainability and innovation and to bring fresh ideas and enthusiasm to the table. Come ready to collaborate, express your ideas, and get ready to work.

To learn more about life at Ndustrial: https://apply.workable.com/ndustrialio/