But let’s rewind this a bit.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
![\"Ioana](\"https:\/\/mllj2j8xvfl0.i.optimole.com\/cb:c5QE.37290\/w:auto\/h:auto\/q:mauto\/f:best\/https:\/\/themeisle.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/03\/Ioana-Muresan-1.png\")
<\/figure><\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\nIoana started out in the non-government sector. When her daughter was 7, their family moved to Strasbourg. There, she worked at the European Court of Human Rights for 13 years. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
At 42, she enrolled in a master’s degree in web development and completely switched directions. She had found a new purpose and was going all in.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n
To help others who dream of switching directions, she created a new website about transitioning to tech<\/a>. There she offers guidance and resources for people looking to change their career, with real-life stories standing proof that this transition can be done.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Fast forward, Ioana is a Happiness Team Lead at Automattic, and, as she told me, is loving every second of her job.<\/p>\n\n\n\n I would love to read Ioana’s own version of her WordPress journey on HeroPress. Until she does, let’s see where she is now: <\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n Ioana Mure\u0219an:<\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n When I look back at my career, I see a clear pattern of service. I started with 10 years in the non-profit, then spent the next decade in public service. I thought I was dedicating the next one to business when I joined Automattic \u2013 but soon realized that the pattern continued :))) \u2013 as Automattic is very much mission-driven, focused on making the web a better place. <\/p>\n\n\n\n I’ve always been an activist at heart, so this new phase fits well with my past and my identity, so I think it brings us to the answer to your question here. I feel I’m meant to be in service of something meaningful, to work for causes I care about \u2013 generally on the progressive side. And I aim to do so while staying true to myself and giving the best of me every step of the way.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n Ioana Mure\u0219an:<\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n Oh, I love this question SOOO much because being what we call a Happiness engineer has taught me so very much about what quality support should look & feel like!<\/p>\n\n\n\n In addition to a solid understanding of the product, of course, here are my essentials:<\/p>\n\n\n\n When you put these together – taking in all the details the customer shares, understanding their goals and dreams, and striving to help them reach them – that’s where the customer thrives on your platform – where the magic happens, really.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n Ioana Mure\u0219an:<\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n My card is \u2018Be the host.’ As a Team Lead in Happiness (our support organization), that means that I strive, along with all my work friends, to make WordPress.com the best hosting platform out there.<\/p>\n\n\n\n In my particular role, that means supporting my own team to be the absolute best they can be and \u2013 more widely \u2013 bringing my most creative self to the table in improving our platform day in, day out.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n Ioana Mure\u0219an:<\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n When it comes to WordPress in general – one of the main misconceptions I’m seeing is that WordPress is only for blogging. In fact, as we both know, while WordPress started out as a blogging platform, it can do. So. Much. More! Today, WordPress is the most versatile option, supporting e-commerce, business sites, portfolios, membership sites, and everything in between.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Another set of misconceptions, perhaps closely related to the above, revolves around security, performance, and scalability. Is my site secure? Will it scale if my content is successful? Will it perform well for my visitors and for the search engines? Our awesome community works literally around the clock to address all these, but the answer often depends on the quality of your hosting service and on using reputable themes and plugins.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Finally, since I support WordPress.com, top of mind for me is the misconception that you cannot use plugins on our platform. Of course, you can! In fact, there’s literally nothing you can’t<\/em> do! We’ve evolved the platform to cater to all needs \u2013 from the beginner blogger to the most demanding developer and to agencies of all sizes!<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n Ioana Mure\u0219an:<\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n Values! In fact, can we go with three, pretty please? Thank you! They’re values, commitment, versatility!<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n Ioana Mure\u0219an:<\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n Thank you so much for this question! As a recent addition to the tech world myself, this question REALLY speaks to me! What an exciting and enriching path to be on, and doubly exciting for me \u2013 since I’m running a little service helping people transition into tech, which is surely why you’re asking this in the first place!<\/p>\n\n\n\n As you can imagine, there’s soooo much to be said here. But, for the sake of our discussion, here are three pieces of advice to get things started (more on transitionintotech.com):<\/p>\n\n\n\n Ioana Mure\u0219an:<\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n In my experience so far, I’d say a mix of optimism, trust, good instincts, deep caring, solid communication, and long-term vision.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Optimism is needed to help move past the temporary roadblocks \u2013 real or imagined! \u2013 towards your (and your organization’s) long-term vision. In a team setting, you can only do that if you are ready, willing, and able to deploy a lot of trust and caring; trust in yourself and your instincts, in your team’s drive and competence, in your organization’s leaders’ vision, and\u2026 in the process.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n Ioana Mure\u0219an:<\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n My definition of \u2018successful’ has definitely evolved over time. It’s now at a point where being successful means living your<\/em> best life \u2013 not the one ascribed by society. Living in harmony with who I really am, having the opportunity to give the best of me, being valued when I do, feeling peaceful deep down, waking up grateful every day, enjoying the little things, loving and being loved, staying healthy, and finding meaning in the things you’re doing \u2013 in doing things!<\/p>\n\n\n\n There’s a quote that resonates particularly deeply with me these days (one that I first heard from @photomatt \u2013 I love how he drops little pearls of wisdom like this!); it’s by Will Durant and it goes like this: “Health lies in action, and so it graces youth. To be busy is the secret of grace, and half the secret of content. Let us ask the gods not for possessions, but for things to do; happiness is in making things rather than in consuming them<\/em>.” It encapsulates sooo<\/em> well how I feel about a successful life these days!<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n\t\tWhat is driving you to keep doing what you’re doing? What’s your personal mission?<\/h4>\n\n\n\n
What are the important qualities you consider essential in a support engineer role?<\/h4>\n\n\n\n
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All Automatticians have recently been given a “card”. What is yours and how does it shape your role?<\/h4>\n\n\n\n
What are some common misconceptions users have about WordPress?<\/h4>\n\n\n\n
Describe the WordPress community in one word<\/h4>\n\n\n\n
What is your advice for someone who is considering transitioning to tech?<\/h4>\n\n\n\n
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Reflecting on your recent leadership role, what do you think are the most important qualities of a good leader?<\/h4>\n\n\n\n
How do you define “being successful”?<\/h4>\n\n\n\n