From Small-Scale Startup to Global Tech Giant: A Journey of Growth
My career journey has been marked by two significant moves that have shaped my professional growth. The first was joining a small IT consultancy right after completing my bachelor's degree. This decision was motivated by my desire to gain hands-on experience while pursuing my master's studies. It proved to be a pivotal choice, as the startup-like environment allowed me to wear multiple hats and explore various aspects of software development.
Over nearly seven years, I progressed from an intern to leading a team of 4-6 developers, managing client relationships, and overseeing project specifications and architecture. This experience was invaluable in developing my technical skills, leadership abilities, and understanding of the software development lifecycle.
The second key move was transitioning to Nokia in late 2022. After years in a small company, I was motivated by the challenge of working in a large, international corporation. This decision was driven by my desire to broaden my horizons, collaborate with diverse teams, and contribute to projects on a global scale. At Nokia, I've embraced the wealth of opportunities available in a multinational tech leader, relishing the chance to work alongside colleagues from various cultures and backgrounds.
Looking back, I'd say my career has been pretty rewarding so far – though I'm not sure if I should thank hard work or just good old luck for that. If I had to guess the ratio, I'd say it's 51% elbow grease, 48% good fortune, and 1% English Breakfast tea. But hey, who's counting? I'm just grateful for the ride and all the opportunities that have come my way!
Automating Core Network Deployment on Public Cloud
At Nokia, I'm part of an innovative team working on the Core SaaS project, which aims to revolutionize 4G and 5G Core Network deployment. Our goal is to reduce delivery times from months to hours by harnessing the power of public cloud infrastructure and modern automation solutions.
I joined this initiative in its early stages, embracing the challenge of a green-field project that felt like a startup within Nokia's established framework. My role focuses on designing custom automation tools and providing implementation guidance for crucial components of our solution. Specifically, I work on developing custom Kubernetes Operators and other innovative tools to streamline the previously manual deployment processes.
While I don't design the overall architecture involving Crossplane, GitOps, and Infrastructure as Code (IaC), I collaborate closely with colleagues responsible for these aspects. Our team's collective effort ensures a robust, scalable, and efficient system for deploying core networks on public cloud platforms.
Recognizing the critical importance of security and privacy in today's digital landscape, I'm also part of our product's security and privacy team. This additional responsibility ensures that these crucial aspects are integrated into our development process from the ground up, contributing to the safeguarding of our customers' networks and data.
Empowering People Through Meaningful Automation
My main motivation has always been to make people's lives better, even if in seemingly small ways. There's a special satisfaction in working on features where I can imagine a user or customer on the other end thinking, "This just made my job a little bit easier." It's this vision of positive impact, no matter how minor, that drives me forward in my work.
I find myself constantly looking for opportunities to automate tasks that don't require human creativity or intuition. It frustrates me to see people bogged down by repetitive, mundane tasks that could be easily automated. I strongly believe that jobs can be much more enjoyable and fulfilling when people are free to focus on the interesting parts – the ones that truly benefit from human ingenuity and problem-solving skills.
In my view, the real value of technology lies in its ability to handle the "brainless stuff," freeing up human potential for more meaningful and creative work. Whether developing custom tools or implementing innovative solutions, I always aim to empower people to do their best by removing unnecessary obstacles.
This motivation aligns perfectly with our team's mission at Nokia, where we're working to automate complex network deployment processes. Every time we successfully automate a previously manual task, I feel we're not just improving efficiency, but also enhancing the work experience of the professionals who use our solutions.
Grow by Surrounding Yourself with Inspiring Peers
My top advice for everyone is simple yet powerful: always surround yourself with peers you can look up to. This idea has been key to my personal and professional growth, and I believe it can greatly impact your career path.
There's a special feeling when you're in a room with people you admire for their knowledge and skills. It's like you become smarter just by being around them. This kind of environment not only gives you many chances to learn but also pushes you to become the best version of yourself.
Being part of a group of exceptional individuals naturally motivates you to improve. You'll want to match their level of expertise, creativity, and hard work. This ongoing challenge keeps you growing and improving all the time.
Also, within such a group, you're likely to find mentors – people who can offer valuable guidance, share their experiences, and help you navigate your career. A good mentor can make a huge difference in shaping your professional journey.
Remember the saying, "If you're the smartest person in the room, then you're in the wrong room." Take this idea to heart. Look for places where you can learn, grow, and be inspired by those around you. It's in these settings that you'll find the best opportunities for both personal and professional development.
Building Scalable Systems and Nurturing Teams
It's challenging to pinpoint a single greatest achievement, as I take pride in multiple aspects of my work throughout my career.
Firstly, I'm particularly proud of designing systems that have proven to be both scalable and flexible. It's immensely satisfying to see tools I've worked on grow from serving just a couple of customers to hundreds and being used in ways we never imagined when first designing them.
Secondly, I take great pride in the teams I've had the good fortune to lead. Watching talented engineers grow, learn, and become better versions of themselves every day is an amazing feeling. Knowing that my guidance played a part in their development is incredibly rewarding.
However, if I had to choose one specific achievement, I would highlight my experience when I first joined Nokia. I faced the challenge of learning a new company, a new project, and new people all at once. Despite these hurdles, within just two months, I had completed the design for a critical tool, and our team successfully delivered it in time for the first release. This rapid adaptation, coupled with the pressure of leading a new team, tested my abilities to learn quickly, design effectively, and guide others. Successfully navigating this challenge while delivering tangible results in such a short timeframe stands out as a significant personal and professional achievement.
