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Rahul K.

Principal Technical Specialist

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Engineering & Science
R&D

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Top Insider Advice

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.

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Career path

Principal Technical Specialist

Nokia

Started 12/2018 to Present

Company

What do you like about your job and the company?

What I value most about my job and the company is the people and the culture we’ve built together. The people here are humble, brilliant, and deeply human, which makes collaboration feel like a true superpower. There’s a strong zero-blame mindset, and teammates consistently step in to support one another without needing to be asked. The work itself is driven by freedom and trust, with no micromanagement—just the confidence to do meaningful work in our own way. Leadership leads by example rather than dictating, creating a genuine sense of work-life harmony. Adding to this is the presence of long-tenured colleagues, some with nearly 30 years here, whose wisdom and experience provide invaluable perspective and continuity.

Greatest achievements

One of my greatest career achievements has been filing my first patent, which introduced an innovative approach to scaling IP networks. Alongside this, I’ve worked on solving critical issues in multicast functionality, including the design and implementation of OISM and MLD snooping, taking these features from concept to production-ready solutions. These efforts not only addressed complex technical challenges but also improved network reliability and scalability in real-world scenarios. Over time, I’ve grown from focusing purely on implementation to owning design decisions, collaborating closely with cross-functional teams, and being trusted to work on critical networking components.

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Nick M

Jr. Applied R&D Engineer

Top Insider Advice

My top advice to someone starting out is to stay curious and open to learning, especially from the people around you. Don’t be afraid to ask questions, take initiative, and get involved in communities like NextGEN. Building connections early on, whether through fun events or team projects, can make a big difference in how supported and confident you feel in your role.

Casey C

Software Architect

Top Insider Advice

A friend invited me to apply as a software developer, so I did. When I got the results from the assessment test – the examiner informed me that I failed the exam but suggested me a QA position. I immediately jumped on the opportunity without knowing what QA was. The manager offered me that opportunity in the company as he knew my learnability. Nokia provided training, coaching, and mentoring, and I enjoyed the work. As I developed my knowledge, an architecture and specification position opened, and I was excited about it. But I thought I was not yet ready for the role. I consulted my manager about it and asked for his opinion, and he encouraged me to go for it and to try it out. Fast forward to hardship and several leaps of faith, and I am excited to grow and try new things. This year I started my new position. Looking back, I am grateful to mention three key points: 1. Don’t be afraid to try new things. There’s no additional knowledge if you already know it – what is QA? 2. Develop your knowledge. Learning is a never-ending process: if you don’t know – study! 3. How will you know if you don’t try? You might regret it one day if you haven't tried.

Aly M

Transformation Manager

Top Insider Advice

Play the long game and focus on continuous growth. Step outside your comfort zone, take on new challenges, and learn from every role. Find synergies between what you do and where you want to go. Seek mentors and coaches who can guide your development, and remember that leadership is not about title but about helping others grow. Stay curious, adaptable, and focused on meaningful impact.