Meet another member of our team! One of our software engineers, Amiel joined us only last year but has been on top of several projects ever since.
Name: Amiel Pastor Job title: Software engineer Has been in Akubo since: July 2018 Three words to describe himself: Crazy, friendly, open-minded
Tell us about your career so far. What did you do before you came to Akubo?
I worked for 2 years as a Product Development staff doing research and data analytics for an NGO right after I graduated from college. I also worked as an IT instructor for more than a year in Bacolod. I decided to look for a new job to further develop my skills in software development; that’s when I joined Akubo.
What originally drew you to apply at Akubo?
When I was looking for a job, I want it [the office] to be near my home as much as possible. I was hesitant at first to apply at Akubo. Because back in college, Akubo is quite known in the IT community for doing real stuff in software development. But this time I took it as a challenge and apply for Akubo.
What projects do you work on?
I’m currently working on a new feature for Akubo. I also handle client enhancement requests and do client support.
What do you like about being a software engineer?
Being able to come up for an innovative solution that will make others’ lives better.
Tell us about a typical day at work.
I started my day by doing emails, making sure that I reply to every email. Then do all the office works like reports. After all of that, I’ll start with my development task (I hate to stop to do other things if I got the momentum because I lose it. LOL).
What’s the most rewarding part about being in Akubo / being a software engineer?
It is already rewarding to offer a solution to a problem and implement. What is more rewarding, is too see that your work affects others works positively.
How do you balance client expectations with your workload?
I make it clear with the clients about their expectations and timeline. Then I assess my workload and scheduled before committing to deliver. Once I commit, I will do it by hook or by crook just to deliver on time.
What’s the key to managing / completing a project successfully?
I manage my tasks efficiently and give myself an ample burnout time or time allowance. More importantly, I think positively always.
What do you find most challenging about your work? How do you deal with it?
It is challenging but exciting for me in the analysis of the problem at hand. Here, I need to consider all the requirements, expectations and all possible scenarios before providing one or more possible solutions. I rather spend more time on this rather than redoing the whole task because I missed out something.
How do you define success?
For me success is finding happiness and fulfilment of what I’ve done and that positively affect the people around me.
What is your philosophy in life / motto / mantra?
If “Plan A” didn’t work, the alphabet has 25 more letters.
Tell us about three career lessons you’ve learned so far.
- Do not be afraid to learn new things.
- Listen before you speak.
- Do not judge other people before you hear their story.
What does Akubo mean to you?
Akubo is family for me where I can be open and gives me an opportunity to grow with. It really feels like living in a kubo (hut) which is cool and comfortable.
Bonus questions!
If you could swap places with someone else for a day, who would it be?
Albert Einstein, I want to know how he thinks.
Comfort food?
Food is comfort. That’s it!