A reliable mobile connection feels effortless, but who stands behind the complex adventure of making it effortless?

Behind every call, message and online moment is a network that must be continuously analysed, challenged and improved. That is where the capable and talented Isidora Milićević, Senior Radio Network Optimisation Specialist at CETIN Serbia, comes in. 

Do engineers nowadays have all the answers from the start? That’s what we try to decipher in today’s edition of People Beyond the Network. Thanks to Isidora we explore what happens behind the scenes of radio network optimisation, which challenges are shaping the field, and what helps women engineers turn technical expertise into influence, innovation and leadership.

7 questions with Isidora. 7 insights into learning, growing and leading in engineering.

1.    Isidora, what first drew you to engineering, and how did your path lead you to Radio Network Optimization at CETIN Serbia?

Physics was the first subject that sparked my interest in engineering back in elementary school. Through high school, I became even more interested in the field thanks to various technical courses, hands-on projects, and practical assignments, which ultimately led me to pursue a degree at the Faculty of Electrical Engineering. That was where my professional journey in telecommunications truly began.

Radio Network Optimization was not my first role, either in my career or within CETIN. I started my career in another company, where I worked on analysing customer experience results and performance indicators. When I joined CETIN, I became part of the E2E team, where network optimization was approached from a broader perspective. For the past year and a half, I have been working in the Radio Network Planning and Optimization team, where my primary focus has been improving radio network performance, quality, and user experience.

2.    Much of the radio network optimization happens behind the scenes. For colleagues outside the technical field, what exactly does your work involve, and how does it affect the connectivity people rely on every day?

To optimize a mobile network, it is essential to monitor and analyse it every day. This involves continuously tracking network behaviour, evaluating performance, and responding to different issues with the most appropriate solutions. A large part of my work focuses on analysis, whether it is investigating customer complaints, reviewing measurement logs, or monitoring network performance indicators.

While people can see the visible parts of the network, such as base stations and antennas, much of what determines the quality of service happens behind the scenes. Network equipment relies on numerous processes and configurable parameters, and even small adjustments can have a significant impact on coverage, capacity, reliability, and ultimately the customer experience. This is where radio network optimization plays a key role.

At the same time, maintaining and improving a network is never the responsibility of a single team. It requires close collaboration between multiple departments, combining expertise from different areas to ensure that customers can rely on fast, stable, and seamless connectivity every day.

 
 

 3.    What are the most important challenges currently shaping your work, and how are you and your colleagues addressing them?

One of the biggest and, at the same time, most exciting challenges in our field is the integration of new technologies. Successfully introducing a new service into the network is not just about deployment and activation. Before that, it is essential to fully understand the technology itself, what new capabilities it brings, how it differs from existing solutions, and which parameters and features can be configured and optimized.

Every new technology introduces changes that need to be understood and managed by everyone involved in the process. This requires continuous learning, testing, and adaptation to ensure that the new solution delivers the expected benefits while maintaining network stability and performance.

From my experience, the most effective way to address these challenges is through transparent communication, knowledge sharing, and strong teamwork. Close collaboration across different teams helps us adapt more quickly, solve issues efficiently, and ensure that new technologies are introduced with minimal disruption to both the network and the customer experience.

4.    You have described engineering as a journey of continuous learning. What experience has taught you the most, and how has it changed the way you approach complex problems at work today?

One of the most valuable lessons I have learned, and continue to learn, is how to work effectively with different people. Through various projects, I have gained not only technical knowledge but also a broader understanding of how business decisions are made, how complex problems are approached, and how results should be presented and communicated.

This experience has helped me become much more efficient than I was at the beginning of my career. Today, I can more quickly identify where to find the information I need, form an initial approach to a problem, and determine which colleagues or teams I should collaborate with to reach a solution.

I have also learned that engineering is not only about technical expertise. To solve complex problems effectively, it is important to understand the bigger picture and the business context behind the technology. Changes do not always work in our favor, but our role as engineers is to adapt, remain flexible, and find the most practical and sustainable solution for every situation. These experiences have shaped the way I approach challenges today, with a stronger focus on collaboration, adaptability, and continuous learning.

5.    Engineering often means solving problems under pressure while working across teams and meeting demanding deadlines. What helps a technical team perform well when the stakes are high?

When the pressure is high, a team's success depends on good organization, strong collaboration, and the availability of every team member. It is important that people know their roles, communicate effectively, and trust one another, especially when quick decisions need to be made.

In challenging situations, responsibility may sometimes fall on a single person and other times on a larger group, but what matters most is how the team works together to achieve the best possible outcome. Equally important is taking the time afterward to reflect on what happened, what could have been done better, and how similar situations can be handled more efficiently in the future.

I believe that high-performing teams are not defined by the absence of problems, but by their ability to learn from them. Continuous improvement, knowledge sharing, and mutual support help teams become more resilient and better prepared for future challenges.

 
 

6.    You have spoken about the importance of a supportive environment, particularly for women in engineering. What creates an environment where women engineers can not only develop their expertise, but also influence decisions, innovate and lead?

I believe the most important thing is creating an environment where everyone is treated equally and feels comfortable sharing ideas, opinions, and knowledge. What truly makes the difference is not gender, but each person’s expertise, interests, and individual career goals.

Personally, I am fortunate to work alongside many talented and dedicated women who take great responsibility for their work. Perhaps the fact that we are not a minority encourages us to be more direct and confident, or maybe it is simply part of our personalities.

For me, open communication, mutual understanding, and a strong support system are essential. When people feel valued and supported, they are more willing to contribute ideas, take initiative, innovate, and grow into leadership roles.

7.    Outside of work, what activities help you return to professional challenges with fresh energy?

I enjoy spending time in nature, whether it's through long walks, hiking or simply being outdoors. Photography is also one of my favourite hobbies. I love capturing landscapes, architecture, sunsets, reflections, and small moments that might otherwise go unnoticed. There is something special about preserving a moment and being able to revisit it later through photographs.

I also enjoy creative hobbies and supporting small businesses and handmade crafts. Over time, I have explored different activities, and currently I particularly enjoy painting objects, watercolour techniques, and embroidery. And from time to time, you'll also find me solving a Sudoku puzzle.

Most importantly, I recharge by spending time with people who are close to me. A beautiful place, good company, and a cup of coffee or tea are often all I need to come back with fresh energy and a new perspective on both work and life.