Leaving NSN

Yesterday, I finally said goodbye to NSN (Nokia Siemens Networks). I felt mixed emotions. I was sad because I had to leave the company which I spent ten years of my life with, and at the same time happy that I'll be fulfilling the career that I really want with another company abroad.

Below was my farewell message I sent through email to everybody in NSN.

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After ten long years, I never thought that it would be my turn to say goodbye to a very great company, colleagues and excellent working environment. I never thought that I would be one of those people who come and go. Never did I think that I'll be in this situation. But I chose to venture into new challenges. I have to follow what my heart says so. It is true that when passion hits you, the only thing that will make you sane is to give in to it. I will be immersing myself into the world of databases, from development to production. This is something that I have been yearning to do, but only realized now. For several years, I have been so mesmerized with IN and OSS technologies. I have been so religiously doing my best as OSS Team Lead. But recently, after giving it a long thought, I decided to do a career shift (if you may call it as such).

I say thank you to my former Globe IN colleagues for the trust and confidence in me, most especially during database crashes :-) I will never forget the sleepless nights that we had counted just to make sure prepaid subscribers would always be able to top up credits and inquire balances.

I say thank you to Rex, my line manager, for being supportive of me, for trusting my technical and leadership capability. You are such an excellent leader who brings out the best in each one of us. You know how to act quickly in times of need and you care for your people. Keep it up.

I say thank you to Smart OBS/SA colleagues for being a team not to be bored with, for tirelessly doing what is best and what is right, for proving that OBS/SA team can reach greater heights.

Finally, I say thank you to NSN and its management. Thanks for being part of my life, for honing my technical and non-technical skills. The experiences and memories with you are truly worth treasuring. The culture is beyond compare.

Now, it is with heavy heart that I shall utter a phrase in French, Au revoir! (Goodbye!). May NSN continue giving Ericsson a run for their money, so that the goal of being number one will finally be achieved. I believe that with guts and determination NSN can do it. When that time comes people in NSN will be the greatest achievers who've ever lived on Earth.

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Goodbye, OSS; Hello, Database Administration

Yesterday, I tendered my resignation letter to NSN as an OSS Team Lead. This is the start of a more fruitful career for me. It's a shift from being a telecoms guy to a pure IT freak, particularly on the area of Database Administration, a career choice which has been burning inside me. It's only now that I give full attention to it. It's a dream come true. However, it's not P a p u a N e w G u i n e a where I'm heading to. I dropped my interest to work in that country as the employment contract still hangs. I can't wait forever.

My last day in NSN is Aug. 21, the day when the world opens the door for me towards a better and more promising career in terms of global opportunities. Database Administrator is my new position in a new employer abroad. I'll be handling Oracle databases.