Creativity drives continuous innovation
Using his skills and interests to not just earn a living but also to build a better future for his employer and himself.
Paulus Shilongo, better known as Mr Parker, is a 28-year-old information technology (IT) professional.He majored in systems administration and networks. He is passionate about art and is drawn to anything that speaks of it. He enjoys travelling and seeing new locations.
Paulus is employed in the IT department of the Motor Vehicle Accident (MVA) Fund as an information and communication technology (ICT) technician, where he is responsible for monitoring, managing and resolving computer-related difficulties.
Curiosity driven
Paulus describes himself as an extremely curious person who enjoys disassembling things and discovering new methods to do things. He enjoys dealing with people, and for these two reasons, he chose to pursue a career in IT, which allows him to embrace all aspects of himself.
"Technology makes our lives easier by simplifying things we depend on day-to-day. Not only do I enjoy laughing, but I also love seeing a satisfied customer, as it puts a smile on my face," Paulus said.
Challenges
One of the difficulties he faces in his workplace is dealing with disgruntled employees. He says that as a technical expert, it is important to know how to deal with an unhappy consumer, while also coming up with solutions to their problems.
Another challenging aspect of his work is that he and his IT colleagues often encounter new difficulties, which can be frustrating for users who want a solution to every problem. However, technology moves quickly and can change overnight.
Therefore, as a technical expert, it is important to stay up-to-date on the latest market innovations.
The young professional emphasises that while people are not all that different, it is each person's willpower that truly distinguishes them.
Create goals
He goes on to say that he is always willing to go above and beyond to find a solution to an issue, as well as to ensure that his colleagues are satisfied with the solution he delivers.
"I work with a smile on my face regardless of how the user tries to frustrate me, and I am eager and highly driven by my urge to keep learning and unlearning," Paulus said.
His childhood ambition was to become a pilot. That changed when he became interested in electronics, which led to him studying IT.
He enthusiastically advises young Namibians to be disciplined and consistent in all they do, to never stop dreaming because dreams are free, but to create goals for them to become a reality.
Finally, he believes it is his duty in cyber security to protect himself, the company's information, and its systems against cyber-attackers. He also takes pleasure in ensuring that enough cyber security awareness is raised.