What is it like to work for SMART?

Five years ago, I was a Business Administration graduate and except for a couple of IT subjects and the use of my personal computer, I didn’t really know anything about IT. To be frank, I didn’t even know that the department I was about to join was a software development team. I placed “Product and Services Development” when I applied because it sounded nice to my fresh grad’s ear. Little did I know that development meant “actual” creation, implementation and delivery of new services!

I was a clueless Jr. Staff when I joined Mobile Commerce, and distinctly remember the first advice I received from our Head, Alex Ibasco. He told me that in order to survive, I need to learn how to look for the information I need without relying too much on others. I should be proactive if I wanted to be involved and self supporting.

In five years, my department has undergone a lot of transformation. I’ve worked with three managers excluding a number of expats who were my mentors. I’ve been exposed to a number of exciting and valuable projects, I was sent to Malaysia, Hongkong and Sweden. You can easily imagine how much growth I’ve been through in five years.

I received a lot of opportunities for learning, which I believe only a company like Smart could provide. With its varied services and its vast network, the experience and knowledge I gained from working in Smart is immeasurable.

Smart is for individuals who believe that spending 9-10-hrs/day in the office is living life and not missing out on anything. It’s for those who seek knowledge and fulfillment in the work that they do. Smart is for individuals who never stop trying to outdo the competition or themselves daily.

When you feel that the company you are with, is worth all your hard work; when it exceeds your expectation of what a good employer should be …. All you can do is work harder. So, I did.

From a clueless fresh graduate Jr Staff, I am now a Supervisor handling a team of Business and Test Analysts. I believe that I can now call myself a genuine IT person – and I owe all this to SMART. Five years is a long time and you may want to ask me – Have I ever considered leaving Smart?

Of course, I did. It’s but natural for someone like me who has been working for the same company five straight years right after college. But as you can see, I am still here, with Smart; happy, without a trace of regret.

Smart was my employer of choice then and it still is until now.