After 3 years of working in the traditional car trade industry, Monika Hlubinová wanted new perspectives to her work in a more future-looking field. That’s when she stumbled upon the e-mobility industry. Today, Monika works as a Solutions Manager at Last Mile Solutions, helping CPOs and eMSPs to set up and utilize the core element of their business: the EV charging management platform. As part of Women in eMobility campaign, Monika encourages women from all backgrounds who want to make a difference to choose the e-mobility industry.
You work as a Solutions Manager. What does the role entail in practice?
In a nutshell, I guide customers in the initial stage of their e-mobility journey. I help them through their first few months with a technical onboarding into our EV charging management platform, EVC-net. My aim is to ensure that customers are sufficiently prepared to operate the platform independently and they can start to run their business in the most efficient way. That’s why it’s important to first understand the customer’s business model, so I can prepare the platform for their specific use case and needs.
Alongside onboarding new customers, I also work with our existing customers, for example when they begin utilizing our new products, features, or services. I’m actively involved in operational projects that aim to enhance processes, develop new products, and foster knowledge retention and sharing. My role is very versatile!
What is the best thing about working in the e-mobility field?
The dynamic nature of the market. It’s really rewarding being at the forefront of innovation, witnessing the rapid advancements in technology, and actively contributing to shaping the future of transportation. Knowing that your efforts are making a positive impact on the environment, one electric vehicle at a time, adds a sense of purpose and fulfillment to my work.
You didn’t have experience in the e-mobility field before joining Last Mile Solutions. What skills do you think are needed to work in the e-mobility field in general?
I find that curiosity, a strong desire to learn, and adaptability are the key skills that contribute the most to success in the e-mobility field. Affinity for technology is also always a plus, but I don’t think it’s a necessity.
I believe you don’t need a background or education in e-mobility to work in the field. My background is in media and communications, but I’ve always been curious to learn new things and topics. As the e-mobility sector is continuously evolving with new innovations and regulations, you do need curiosity and a willingness to keep on learning. The e-mobility industry really is a fresh breath of air, as you learn something new and exciting at work every day. You’re never bored!
Can you share any of these exciting projects that you’ve recently worked on?
The projects that stick out the most are the roll-out of our new payment terminal product and setting up our e-learning platform. In most projects, I represent the operational side and get to collaborate with various teams within our company. In our payment terminal solutions project, I was able to give insight into the product development process and the implementation of a new tariff structure. Due to my deep knowledge of the platform, I got to bring insight on the front-end solution and help forecast the needs of our customers. It’s a great example of how we sit down together to solve a problem that our customers have and think of the best way to solve it.
We’re also building our e-learning platform, as we noticed a gap between how customers wanted to learn and how guidance was available to them. I helped conceptualize the online learning platform concept, where customers could learn on demand and at their own pace. Now, we’re finalizing the concept and ready to launch it this spring. I got to produce module content from the customer angle, as I can bring in the needs of customers, for example, how different features are used in practice.
You’ve previously worked in male-dominant industries. Do you think people have misconceptions about women working in the e-mobility sector?
That’s a good question. During my past experience in the automotive industry, there was a prevailing belief that women are less technical, but I personally haven’t observed this stereotype in the e-mobility field. Instead, I’ve found it to be an inclusive, forward-thinking industry that values diversity and expertise, regardless of gender. I feel that the company culture, especially at Last Mile Solutions, is very inclusive.
Of course, there are cultural differences or personality differences, and everybody has a different set of skills and expertise, but it’s not dependent on your gender. Diversity, including gender diversity, enriches perspectives, encourages creativity and collaboration, and fosters a more inclusive work environment. I think diversity could be promoted by bringing attention to the topic through campaigns and simply putting more women in the front, for example in events, talk shows, or articles.
What’s your advice for other women interested in working in tech or e-mobility industry sector?
My advice is simple: go for it! All you need is a willingness to learn, a spark of curiosity, and perseverance. Don’t let what you don’t know stop you. Embrace challenges, seek opportunities to grow, and believe in your ability to make a difference. If you don’t have a background in e-mobility, it doesn’t matter. If you want to make a difference or improve the future, e-mobility is a great field to get into!
Women in eMobility is a communications campaign hosted by ChargeUp Europe. The aim is to highlight women working in the e-mobility industry and to showcase the diversity in the field. You can read more about the campaign and other participants’ stories on the campaign site.
