U S? Canada? France? FEU Tech alumnus Mike Sumulong has been there, done that! The Innovator recently asked Mike about his successful career abroad with huge companies like Oracle. Read more to see what he has to say.
What did you enjoy the most about being a student at FEU Tech?
The thing I enjoyed the most was FEU Tech's hands-on learning approach. I'm not exactly good at learning through reading, I learn better through doing. Hands-on learning complements my learning style pretty well, and the well-equipped computer laboratories really helped a lot. I spent countless hours in those labs working on projects.
How did FEU Tech's internship program help shape your professional life?
My Internship 1 was with IBM, and my Internship 2 was with Asian Development Bank. They have well-established systems and processes, and I learned how each employee, even an intern, affected the organization as a whole. I learned to see the "big picture" from a real-world perspective, which you don't usually get by being in a classroom. Now, whatever I do, I know I'm contributing to something bigger, and it pushes me to give my best.
Tell us more about your professional life so far?
My first job was with SPL, which is now Oracle Manila, where I was given the chance to work in US and France. I moved on to NetSuite, but I eventually moved back to Paris to work for Oracle again. I came out of the experience with strong functional and technical skills. I am now a Lead Solutions Architect at Elim Solutions in Canada.
Which of your travels abroad have you enjoyed the most?
I enjoyed Paris the most because it was the most challenging. I wasn't just there for work, I was there to start a new life. I found the language barrier and cultural differences challenging, but it was a good venue to see if my IT skills were at par with my colleagues, and they were!
Can you share with us one of your most rewarding experiences?
My most rewarding experiences involved working with people from different countries. In Canada, it's not unusual for people from India, Philippines,Romania, Italy, and Poland to be on one team. It's really enriching to work with people from different backgrounds for a common goal.
What advice can you give to our students?
All the resources you'll ever need to build your skill sets are available at FEU Tech, but you'll only get as much as you put in, it's all about effort. Companies can literally hire from anywhere in the world now, but you'll really stand out if you have lots of industry-relevant skills. You need to take advantage of your time at school as much as possible and master as many skills as you can. Make good use of the resources available to you at FEU Tech you're blessed to have them.