Rolf Krolke shares his journey from early aspirations in law to becoming a Regional Technology Director at the Access Group. He discusses his career beginnings in IT, the transition from technical roles to business-focused positions, and his experiences at major companies like Microsoft and Amazon Web Services. Rolf emphasizes the importance of loving what you do, measuring impact, and working with great people. He reflects on the differences between global and regional roles and shares valuable career advice.TakeawaysRolf initially wanted to be a lawyer but shifted to IT.He found his passion in technology through practical applications.Early roles taught him the importance of troubleshooting and problem-solving.Transitioning to a business focus allowed him to help customers more effectively.Microsoft provided a culture of growth and development.AWS was a fast-paced environment focused on building and scaling.Understanding technology is crucial for effective leadership.Global roles offer unique challenges and opportunities.Career values include passion, impact, and collaboration.Being proactive in career development is essential. Links and locations of the podcast Spotifyhttps://open.spotify.com/show/0zu1gsYgd0rmXCXNwXTRWIAmazonhttps://music.amazon.com/podcasts/9c73deb7-75af-44fa-ae40-70506949bdccApple Podcastshttps://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/sympa-says/id1809071990Castboxhttps://castbox.fm/vh/6572789Goodpodshttps://goodpods.com/podcasts/sympa-says-681171iHeartRadiohttps://www.iheart.com/podcast/269-sympa-says-272967966/OvercastPocket Castshttps://pca.st/67eufjizChapters00:16 From School to Career Choices03:04 Early Career Experiences and Skills Development05:56 Transitioning from Technical to Business Roles08:43 Career Growth at Dell and Microsoft11:32 Navigating Opportunities at Microsoft14:09 Experiences at AWS and Scaling Challenges17:12 Global vs. Regional Roles in Technology19:50 Core Career Values and Reflections22:10 Highlights and Lowlights of a Tech Career

In this episode, Rishi shares his journey from a young tech enthusiast to a co-pilot behavioral specialist at Microsoft. He discusses the pivotal moments in his education and early career, the importance of real-world experience, and how he transitioned from software development to change management. Rishi emphasizes the value of a learning mindset, the significance of international experience, and the principles that guide his career. He also reflects on the highlights and challenges he faced along the way, offering valuable advice for the next generation of tech professionals.Links and locations of the podcast Spotifyhttps://open.spotify.com/show/0zu1gsYgd0rmXCXNwXTRWIAmazonhttps://music.amazon.com/podcasts/9c73deb7-75af-44fa-ae40-70506949bdccApple Podcastshttps://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/sympa-says/id1809071990Castboxhttps://castbox.fm/vh/6572789Goodpodshttps://goodpods.com/podcasts/sympa-says-681171iHeartRadiohttps://www.iheart.com/podcast/269-sympa-says-272967966/OvercastPocket Castshttps://pca.st/67eufjizChapters00:00 Early Inspirations in Technology02:20 Education and Initial Career Steps04:48 Transitioning from Developer to Change Manager07:25 Navigating Career Paths and Opportunities09:20 Embracing Change and Learning11:27 Collecting Experiences and Consulting13:55 Joining Microsoft: A Surprising Journey20:03 Cultural Fit and Career Choices24:43 International Experience: Moving to Singapore29:01 Navigating Change Management and Technology Adoption35:17 Career Values and Principles37:56 Advice for the Next Generation

In this episode of Sympa Says, TJ Shankar, CMO head of marketing at Credo AI discusses his journey from aspiring pilot in the Indian Air Force to a successful career in tech, including his experiences at Microsoft, IBM, Citrix AWS and various startups. TJ shares insights on the importance of networking, continuous learning, and the value of being passionate about one's work. He also reflects on his career highlights, lowlights, and offers advice for aspiring professionals in today's fast-paced job market.Links and locations of the podcast Spotifyhttps://open.spotify.com/show/0zu1gsYgd0rmXCXNwXTRWIAmazonhttps://music.amazon.com/podcasts/9c73deb7-75af-44fa-ae40-70506949bdccApple Podcastshttps://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/sympa-says/id1809071990Castboxhttps://castbox.fm/vh/6572789Goodpodshttps://goodpods.com/podcasts/sympa-says-681171iHeartRadiohttps://www.iheart.com/podcast/269-sympa-says-272967966/OvercastPocket Castshttps://pca.st/67eufjiz00:00 Introduction to TJ Shankar Jana 02:04 Early Aspirations: From Pilot Dreams to Engineering04:14 Transitioning to Data and Analytics06:54 Career Beginnings at Microsoft09:26 Exploring Opportunities: IBM and Citrix11:56 Moving to Australia: Embracing New Challenges14:40 The Azure Ranger Program and Career Growth17:12 Transitioning to the U.S. and New Opportunities21:57 The Role of Networking in Career Growth23:25 Deepening Skills in Product Marketing25:31 From Corporate to Startup: A Shift in Pace29:11 Core Values and Career Philosophy33:11 Advice for Young Professionals and Entrepreneurs