Women in Tech Profile: Meghan Reed

For the month of February, Hitachi Solutions will be releasing a series of blogs focusing on women in technology and their New Year’s resolutions. Throughout this series, our interviewees will touch on what has brought them balance, helped them overcome insecurities, and contributed to their success. Follow these profiles to receive valuable insights from the women of Hitachi Solutions!

In this fourth article of our Women in Tech Profiles series, we are featuring a Q&A with Meghan Reed, a Solutions Architect for Dynamics CE at Hitachi Solutions.

To begin, can you tell us a little bit about yourself?

I am a Solutions Architect for Dynamics CE with a focus on Field Service. I have been consulting for six years with a wide variety of experiences in solutions and industries. I currently live in Columbus, Ohio ― very close to my family. I enjoy crafting, hanging with my nephews, and baking!

Happy New Year! What is your New Year’s resolution and what advice could you give others to stick to their resolutions?

To stick to your resolution, block out time for items that need to get done and keep it. I recommend setting specific checkpoints that will allow you to evaluate how you are meeting your goals. For example, I have decided to check how I am meeting my goals every Friday. With this, I can make constant adjustments as needed.

2020 was a weird year. What is something you are looking forward to in 2021?

I purchased a Cricut (vinyl cutting machine) and have been doing various projects! My most recent one was creating personalized toy elves for my nephews during the holidays. I am looking forward to getting more creative and trying new things with my machine.

How do you manage a balance between work and personal life without getting overwhelmed?

I find it very helpful to set specific boundaries for myself. I do not check my work email on the weekend, unless there is something specific. I try to keep my personal time to myself so that I do not feel like I am always working. In the same way, I feel that lunch is incredibly important. Even if I do not eat, I make it a priority to take a few moments for myself during the day. Sometimes I will just walk a lap around my house! I find that this makes it easier to focus and to keep myself from being tense by the end of the day.

What is something valuable you have learned throughout your career that you would like to pass on?

You are never stuck on a single path. A lot of times we feel that as we make decisions, we get stuck and it becomes difficult to adjust. It will not always be quick or easy, but there are plenty of opportunities to change and adjust what you are doing. Do not let yourself be miserable solely because you are in a specific position. Instead, talk to your peers and mentors. Adjust if needed.

To hear from more inspiring female leaders, watch our virtual panel, Advice to My Younger Self: A Women in Technology Virtual Discussion.