Follow Your Heart

• Six years ago, there was a guy who had worked as an architect for 5 years. You guys have heard a lot about the word architect, right? Here I would like to clarify a little bit. This architect was not about software architect but building design that converts a concept to scratch and then to a blueprint. Honestly, this guy did not like this kind of work at all. He had a strong desire to work on another thing, computer science, especially some coding-related work.

• Before the dream comes true, he asked himself many times such questions: How can you do this? How can you apply for a job in a totally different field without any experience? How can you get trust from other people? To address these questions and improve computer skills, he decided to go to college again to get the master degree in computer science. Yes, he did it. By the time of graduation, his daughter was born. He thought it was the time to change. So, he quit his current job as an architect and tried to apply for an IT job.

• At the beginning he could not get any chance even for an interview. Maybe in the HR’s point of view, this guy was crazy: For a guy who had only a few years of education in this area without any experience how can he get the job well done at the age of 30’s? It was impossible. [Action: Drop the paper!] After numerous applications with perseverance, he got a few opportunities for the interview. Among these interviews, the one with Ericsson was the most impressive and valuable, while the manager rejected him respectfully. He did not know the name of the manager, but he was very grateful to the manager as he gave him some good advice to get the experience in this area: doing some open source work. He followed the manager’s advice, and tried to find a job even without any pay. That was really a hard time. He was struggling with his resume and interview without any income, and his wife was raising his baby on maternity leave. The baby was always crying. And he was so sorry that he could not face his baby with a smile. But his brother said that what you did now is trying to get better future for her indeed. That was like a nightmare and he was still frightened once he thought of it. [Pause]Finally, he got his first job.

• During that time, he got some coding experience, and became familiar with the development process and working environment. Once again, he got his second chance for the interview as a consultant in Ericsson. He was very lucky. Another manager offered him an opportunity. He was very excited because Ericsson is a well-known international company welcoming many kinds of talents. That was a great opportunity for him. It’s awesome.

• So he started to work at Ericsson since then. For him, all the experience was brand new. He tried to do everything and learn everything. And after years of hard work, he got another opportunity to join Ericsson as an employee. That was a milestone for him. He became part of the Ericsson. It was a great honor. It seemed like nirvana.

• By now, the guy has built a strong and deep relationship with Ericsson. From a failed applicant to a consultant and then an employee, he always sticks to working hard to get everything done as well as he can, as professional as he can. He learned a lot of technical skills at Ericsson and made a lot of friends at Ericsson, too. He loves Ericsson very much. He loves the people in Ericsson. And he loves his new career as a software engineer instead of an architect. He wants to say thanks sincerely to all of his colleagues and managers who supported him.

• So, to have the life and career both in your own hands please follow your heart. Do the things of what you really enjoy.

• Maybe you have come to the question: Who is that guy?

• YES, you are right, that’s me!

• If I hadn't followed my heart, I would have never had the opportunity to be on this stage. If I hadn't followed my heart, I would have never had the opportunity to join Ericsson. If I hadn't followed my heart, I would have been still struggling with my boring job as an architect.

• Please do not hesitate, follow your heart, and take action now! Thank you!