My top advice to someone starting is to build a strong foundation in the basics of IP networking. Spend time thoroughly understanding the fundamentals by reading and revisiting classic texts like those by Tanenbaum and Widjaja—they pay dividends throughout your career. Depending on whether you’re working in the control, data, or management plane, go deep into the details and truly understand the bits and bytes of how a feature works and the problem it is solving. Be open to taking on all kinds of work; no task is insignificant, as even seemingly small pieces often support critical components of the system. Especially in a small team, every member pulls their weight, and each contribution matters—both for the product and for your own growth.

You don’t need to know everything from day one. What we value most is your attitude — curiosity, honesty, and a genuine willingness to learn. In IT, technical skills will always matter, but they’re just one part of the puzzle. No one expects perfection. What truly makes a difference is your openness to ask for help, your readiness to share knowledge, and your ability to collaborate with others. Honest communication and strong teamwork lead to the best outcomes. Stay curious, stay determined — with the right mindset, no challenge is too big to take on.

If you are seeking a career that will be memorable and impactful, sometimes you may need to step outside of your comfort zone and take a leap into unknown waters. I took the leap twice - once when changing my role function (from accounting to recruiting), and secondly, industry-wise when joining Nokia. I did not regret either of those decisions and I feel this is where I belong. Don't be afraid to pursue your passion, with dedication and consistency your career aspirations can become a reality.