Grameenphone’s CHRO says:
'Self-assessment is more important than rapid promotion'
Sayeda Tahya Hossain. Photo: Sajjad Hossain.
Grameenphone's Chief Human Resources Officer Syeda Tahya Hossain has provided answers to some urgent career-related questions. On behalf of Agamir Somoy, she was interviewed by Swarna Roy.
If someone wants to build a career in the telecom industry, what kind of preparation should they take?
Sayeda Tahya Hossain: The telecom industry has now moved beyond the realm of phone calls and is transforming into digital services like OTT, data, AI and so on. So, to build a career here, one needs practical preparation rather than just relying on an academic degree. Firstly, you must have a clear understanding of what changes are taking place in the telecom sector and what the relevant organizations are doing. Secondly, rather than limiting yourself to theoretical studies, it is crucial to gain hands-on experience through various projects, internships, or voluntary works—and to have the mindset of taking 100% responsibility for any task you undertake.
Does only a business administration background have an advantage in the telecom industry?
Sayeda Tahya Hossain: That depends entirely on which position you are applying for. It is possible to do well in the corporate world even with a sociology degree, and conversely, a BBA degree doesn't qualify someone for all roles. During our recruitment process, we use online tests to evaluate a candidate's actual technical skills; where the certificate came from is not a major factor.
What do you expect from a young person who joins as a 90-day intern?
Sayeda Tahya Hossain: At Grameenphone, we don't take interns just to fulfill university requirements. We involve them in specific projects so that they can learn and contribute. We expect them to think of themselves not merely as students, but as regular employees of Grameenphone, and to work with a sense of responsibility.
In hiring, what do you prioritize more than institutional degrees?
Sayeda Tahya Hossain: It is not possible to judge everything solely by academic background. So we try to understand how aware a candidate is of ongoing changes. Alongside that, we place greater importance on internship experience, the ability to lead a project, skills gained from voluntary work, and—most importantly—the willingness to learn.
Many people complain about the work style of Gen-Z in the current corporate world. What is your experience?
Sayeda Tahya Hossain: We don't find it difficult to work with Gen-Z. Yes, their working style is different. However, they have much greater knowledge of technologies that weren't available in our time. We are constantly learning new things from them. My advice to young people is this: instead of focusing on quick promotions in your career, it is more important to evaluate how much you are actually learning.Many people are anxious about losing their jobs due to the rise of artificial intelligence. As an HR leader, how do you view this issue?We are already using AI. At first, many thought AI would take away jobs. But now we see that it is helping to make decision-making more precise and speeding up work. Some traditional roles may become obsolete, but in their place, hundreds of new types of jobs will be created. Therefore, instead of fearing job loss, the only way to survive is to constantly keep yourself updated with technology.What is your opinion on the mindset that one must stay in the office day and night to succeed in a career? I do not agree with the notion that the more time you put in, the better your career will be. What truly matters is how attentively and wholeheartedly you work during your office hours. However, priorities can change at different stages of life—sometimes career, sometimes family. The most important thing is how you balance it all.As an employer, what exactly do you look for through communication skills?Many people think that speaking fluent English or Bengali is the essence of communication skills. But that is not the case. To us, true communication skill is the ability to correctly understand any statement or question, to convey your own message to the other party in a simple and clear way, and to understand whether they have received it correctly.What specific initiatives has Grameenphone taken to keep its employees technologically advanced?Alongside other initiatives, the company has arrangements for regular online and offline training to keep employees technologically ahead in this age of artificial intelligence. Besides technological excellence, the organization also places special emphasis on providing a positive and non-discriminatory work environment. Without any gender-based discrimination, an environment is maintained here where every employee can contribute according to their own abilities and have the opportunity to ask questions freely.As a female corporate leader, what has your career experience been like? It is a familiar picture in our society that a woman has to prove herself a little more than a man in the workplace. However, when the impact of her work becomes visible, the organization is compelled to recognize her. Outside of work, a woman has to fight a little harder to manage family and children. But instead of complaining, one must quietly organize everything and seek solutions with confidence and patience.Returning to work after maternity leave and coping with changes can be difficult for many women. What is your advice in this regard?Maternity leave is a legal right. However, even during the leave, one should not stop engaging with the learning process and they should be staying updated with new information. In our country, it is relatively easier to get family or social support for raising children. So, instead of completely withdrawing, if you can keep yourself mentally active and updated during the leave, returning to work becomes much easier.
