Technological Summit: TERADATA

Last November 27, 2014. I attended a seminar from the Technological Summit, and it was all about a company called Teradata.

Just like NetworkLabs, TERADATA is also a company that is involved with a lot of popular companies, but they themselves are not that popular, or at least I haven't heard of them. First of all, I didn't have any clue as to what TERADATA was and what they do. But as the talk went through, I learned the difference of a database from a data warehouse. Also, they talked about the courses they were offering online, as well as internship for those future aspirants who want to work for a data warehousing company. I became really interested when they talked about certifications, what data warehousing is to very big companies like Coca-Cola.

Overall, the talk was great and I was exposed to a company I have never heard of before, and never heard of the solutions and services they were doing. This talk enlightened me about all these things, and presented an opportunity to work with them, and learn what they do. The insights I learned from this talk

Network Labs

On November 21, 2014, our next destination for company tours was Network Labs located in Technohub in Commonwealth Avenue, Quezon City. At first, it was a very large area, with 2-3 story buildings around. A talk is to be held first, then the company tour.

Mr. Marlon, our speaker for that day, I attended a seminar also when he gave a talk, if I recall correctly, it was a seminar organized by SPRINT .He talked about the history of Network Labs, in which it originated from innovators in Europe. He emphasized on the culture of the company, the culture that the people are going to be accustomed to is very important in his/her growth and contribution to the company. The speaker also talked about the trends in the IT mobile data center industry, in which by 2020 they would upgrade their hardware and softwares to provide the people 1GB of personalized data daily. Because of this trend, people need more data to suffice in their need for constant interaction with the Internet. The current technologies don't allow that yet, but in time as it advances, it is more achievable through innovation.

In the company tour, the environment was very peaceful and friendly, people were allowed to customize their work areas to any way they like, which helps them to be more productive in my opinion. Furthermore, there were a lot of things like room designs with different Anime on it which help people who love Anime to think outside the box more often and collaborate better with those who are also interested in the same field.

IBM, Magsaysay Transport and Logistics, and SAP

Last November 14, 2014, we attended a seminar in Natividad Fajardo Auditorium in the 18th floor of Bro. Andrew Gonzales Hall. There would be speakers from IBM, Magsaysay Transport and Logistics, and SAP to talk about the career opportunities in their respective companies.

Sorry for the low quality picture

The first speaker was Mr. Bjorn Chua from IBM. He showed us a video of the history of IBM from it's founding year on 1911 up to 2012 and what were the achievements. I was really surprised of the history of IBM as they were the inventors and innovators back in the time. Especially those used during the World Wars. They also empowered women through time back when the law for equal rights was not yet constituted. Furthermore, his colleague Ms. Hapee talked about the wealth opportunities of IBM. That we needed to grow along with the company, and learn new things that we would then apply if we joined the IBM community.

The second speaker was very engaging and interesting at first because he was funny and making jokes but then he started talking about a lot of concepts like technology management, and different sub concepts as well. It took me a long time to absorb them all, and it was very confusing. Furthermore, he explained that IT is in everything, that IT is the best because it can be applied in nearly everything we do. He talked about the importance of technology management in today's world.

The last speaker Ms. Khristine Salvador talked about what SAP is. She discussed to us about the mission, vision of the company. They wanted to solve solutions and make the world a better place. I really like what SAP is doing, as it reduces the problems in the world, while earning money doing it. She told us that a lot of top companies in the world use SAP and how it changes the way all of us live.

From left to right, Ms. Khristine Salvador (SAP), Ms. Hapee (IBM) and Mr. Bjorn (IBM)

Overall, I learned a lot from the speakers, and similar to the other seminars held at school, they showed me a lot of opportunities available to grab in the real world.

ISACA Manila Academe Summit

Last November 8, 2014, we attended an academe summit held at the 5th floor of Henry Sy, Sr. Hall, De La Salle University, Manila. The seminar was held at Henry Sy, in which I thought it was going to be really important, like different people with professions were going to talk. The registration booth was formal, and we were given sticker name tags. At first I didn't know what ISACA was, or what did it do.

The opening remarks was started by the first speaker and the President of the ISACA Manila Chapter, Mr. Carmelo Alcala. Although his part was really short, he gave us a background that ISACA was an organization for IT and IS professionals. They also give seminars and training to the members of ISACA, furthermore, they give certifications as well like CISA, CISM, CGEIT, and CRISC. I thought the talk was going to be too technical. But the speakers were talking in words easy to understand.

One of the objectives of the seminar was to introduce ISACA and their programs to the academe. Then ti encourage the creation of ISACA student groups (in which some of my friends were interested to do, they consulted some of the speakers and professors on what to do to create a student group or organization). Another objective was to create awareness on the value of IT governance and the current trends to the academe. Also to provide some career advices to students particularly information security governance, IT audit, and the like.

The speakers talked about ISACA in general, what they do in ISACA, Mr. Luis "Chito" Jacinto talked about ISACA's certifications, programs, and model curricula. He further explained the use and requirements of CISA, CISM, CGEIT, and CRISC certifications.

The last two speakers namely Mr. Allan Ocho and Mr. Mario Demarillas talked about career opportunities for young people like me and their experiences in the field of work. They also explained the importance of security in anything related to IT.

The ISACA Manila Academe Summit speakers were fully prepared for their talk and achieved all of the objectives stated above. I am now aware of different certifications that I need when I graduate that would help me in my journey, as well as an organization that is fully committed in IT governance, and as early as now, to create organizations to raise IT governance awareness.

Field Trip to Hewlett-Packard

Last November 7, 2014, we went to HP located in Upper McKinley Hill, Taguig City. I was really excited to see what is inside the building, what technologies were available inside (I thought of high-tech stuff that people outside were not allowed to see). I was also set to learn from the different set of speakers, learn about their life and challenges, and how they overcame them to reach their current position working in one of the most well known companies in the world.

Before we went on a company tour, there were some speakers who shed some insight to what HP does, and what they do in HP. The first speaker was Mr. Paulo Ocampo. He explained the history of HP, and how long HP has been in the Philippines (20 years). Furthermore, he discussed that HP is the center of excellence for ITIL and SAP in the Philippines, it is no doubt because they are really well known here in the Philippines. Before, I thought that HP was a company that only sells and repairs laptops and printers. But to my surprise, the speaker explained that other than selling laptops and printers, HP also provides services and solutions to clients. This changed the way I think about HP, and that they are a diverse company ranging in different services in the technological industry. The speaker also discussed his experiences in HP as a program manager.

The next speaker was Mr. Noel Mendoza, he is the Director of Application Services Philippines & AP South Enterprise Services. He gave some opening regards for the upcoming technology talks. Before he started talking about HP, I saw in his stature and face that he is a very experienced man, and has gone through a lot of challenges to reach his current position in the company. One thing I will always remember that he said was to do things bigger than yourself so you can see how far you can go. I totally agree with that as it is a way to challenge oneself to becoming a better individual and to contribute more to the society. He talked about the history of HP and how it started with two engineering friends who wanted to solve problems of the world, so they started their business out in a garage. Thus, Silicon Valley was born.

After the opening remarks and history about HP, the next speaker was Mr. Jon Funtanilla. When I first saw him, he was a guy that looks approachable and friendly. He also talked about his past, a graduate of DLSU as well. He also explained that he has this overwhelming love for technology. He told us about the different gadgets and technologies that HP was working on. One of it would be the in flight entertainment system as well as the electric mobile prepaid service systems. He emphasized the need for user experience, how the user would feel while using an app or a gadget.

The next speaker was Mr. Ced Tanedo, he talked about the different roles and positions in HP, and what were their corresponding responsibilities and tasks. He also talked about the current trends in the technological world, as well as how to utilize them to the fullest potential. It is important to empower people using IT, and make services easier to deliver to the customers.

The last speaker before the company tour was Ms. Christa Pena, she gave us insights regarding her job in project management. As I am currently taking up a PRJTMAN class in DLSU, I saw that some of the concepts they were applying, I was also studying during class. This made me realize the connection between school and real life work. The things we learn in school can be applied in the real world, but there are also skills and abilities to be gained on the journey.

After the technology talks, it was lunch time. After eating lunch at the cafeteria, the group I was assigned to Sir Homer. He was very approachable and answered some of our questions with ease. He even explained his job in HP. While having a company tour, I was amazed at some of the technologies available in HP because they were so advanced.

Overall, HP itself has a good environment to work on, people are friendly, the workstation is not too stressful to be in. The rumors are true that working in HP is a dream come true, judging by what it is really like in the field. I wouldn't hesitate to submit my resume and work in HP.

CCS Colloquium

Last October 24, 2014, we attended the CCS Colloquium which was organized by the Catch2T16 Batch Government. It was a talk with speakers telling us about real life experience in the real field of work and their history in their academic life.

The first speaker was Mr. Ikee Tolentino, he talked about his career in HP. A graduate of DLSU with the course BS ICTM. According to him, he was the last batch of BS ICTM until it was renamed to BS Information Systems. He shared his experience in DLSU, then his experience working with HP. He told us that growing by studying is a key to having and maintaining a job in a company.

The second speaker was Ms. Sheng dela Cruz. Also a graduate of DLSU but with the course BS CS Major in Software Technology. She emphasized to us that balance is the key. For example, balancing social life with academics, balancing family life with social life, etc. I myself cannot balance these things, but I must learn to do so. Balancing money is also a problem for me as I save too much and I don't eat outside, I bring my own food, thus removing the satisfaction of trying out new food.

The third speaker was Mr. Gabe Mercado. He was a really fun and blooming person. Just like in the Yakult (Okay Ka Ba Tiyan?) commercial, he expresses himself through smiling and happiness. On the serious side, he is working with Improv, a theatrical group. He told us to be spontaneous, connect with the team and constantly communicate and collaborate. He asked us to stand up and play a game called "Snap", which was really interesting and helpful since I got to know my partner more and we collaborated for the sake of having fun. Another game he asked us to play was the "Yes, and..." game. Wherein the group would have to build up on each other, like contemplating each other in what they were doing, and combining ideas to form an innovative and helpful idea. Mr. Mercado is a very inspirational and inspiring man. I feel that he is approachable and easy to work with in the working environment.

The last speaker was Ms. Nicole Luzuriaga, another DLSU graduate with the course of BS ICTM. She explained that she joined different organizations to meet new people, interact and socialize with them, as they are going to be the networks that can help in the journey after graduating. She said that she learned to be a business analyst rather than become a programmer. I myself dislike programming and want to take on an analyst role.

In conclusion, these speakers helped me in knowing more about what is in store after graduation, and the tips they gave will surely guide me more.

Mapping My Career Path

On October 17, 2014, we attended a talk regarding professionals in the industry that would help us see what is in store for us when we graduate. The speakers were from itSMF, ITBPM, and HP.

The first speaker, Mr. Alvin Gillo, is currently a systems manager. He first asked us how do we see ourselves in 2025. At first, I thought of starting my own business and having a stable life. Then he explained that the IT path can lead to a lot of opportunities in the working industry. He explained the pyramid which is shown in the picture below. The top most level makes long-term decisions that would benefit the company. He said that everybody starts at the bottom-most level, in which experience is needed, and knowledge is being gathered. He said that he aims for higher positions in the company, and that we should do too.











He made us answer an activity in mapping our career path, and making us know what we hope to achieve in the near future. The picture shown below is what I want to achieve, and I want to be in the analysis and business side when I graduate.









He told us an advice that ITIL is an important framework that gives us the edge in the industry. We learned ITIL when we were taking BUSPERF (Business Performance). He keeps reminding us that knowing what we want to achieve and desire would most probably be the key to success.

The second speaker, Mr. Joseph Villordon, works for HP for at least 8 years now. He narrated his story when he started out working in a manufacturing company, joining in a start-up business, working for IBM, so on and so forth until today in HP. He told us that even in the down times, one can get up through hard work and achieve great things in life.

He showed us videos of what is in-store in HP, what technologies are present in HP-labs and what they are currently developing. Which is pretty amazing actually. Another video that he showed intrigued me, "A Day of Glass 2", which was really interesting and innovative which can be achievable in the future. The technologies present to us are infinitely expanding their capabilities to help humanity. When I got home, I immediately searched the part 1 of that video, "A Day of Glass". Such innovations are exemplary, and beneficial for people all around the world.

He told us that life is constant growing, whenever we fail, we grow as an individual and use those mistakes in the previous failure, and turn them into a successful scenario.



The last speaker was Dr. Alfredo, and he gave us a preview of what ITBPM does. He explained and defined concepts relating to Business Process Management. He also told us that even though one finished an IT degree program, does not mean that one will always stay on the IT path. He explained that everything in the world today is affected by IT, every industry, every company needs IT. So we can venture into different aspects of life when we graduate.

The last speaker spoke really good, really confident, and he captured everybody's attention by his humorous jokes. Furthermore, with his experience in the industry (given by his age, not saying that he's old), tells that we, as students, have a lot to learn in the industry. With the things I learn from everyday tasks, and the mistakes made, I can become a better person in this world.

My aim in life is to help my family first since they are always supportive of me in what I do, then next is to have a stable family, with a house and a car. With this goal in mind, I can say that my career path is straight and my objective is clearly defined.

In conclusion, the speakers somehow helped me see what is in-store after I graduate with my current degree program, BS-Information Systems. They also helped me in seeing which path I should take in order to make myself happy by following the path that I want, and achieving the position that I desire. These inspirational speakers are good in helping lost minds, leading them, guiding them to the right path.