Navigating Change

It's been a year since I transitioned from Microsoft to AWS and moved from Lahore to Singapore. In this article, I reflect on my experiences, challenges, and opportunities.

Microsoft played a pivotal role in shaping my professional life. It not only provided my first job but also nurtured me into a technical professional with a rich experience in working across 64 countries. With Microsoft, I took my first air travel, traversing continents, solving customer challenges, fostering partner ecosystems, embracing diverse cultures, and learning from the wealth of experiences my colleagues and partners had to offer. Over seven years, my focus was primarily on Microsoft Azure. The decision to switch from blue to orange was driven by my desire to evolve as an architect, broadening my scope beyond Azure to become a holistic architect capable of understanding and integrating different systems.

Having previously worked in countries west of Pakistan, AWS reached out to me through LinkedIn, offering an exciting opportunity to work east of Pakistan for the first time. However, this was no brief work visit; I had to relocate to Singapore. The decision was daunting, prompting discussions with mentors, istikhara (a prayer to seek guidance from Allah), and consultations with family. Looking back, it was a wise move.

I had to finish a three month long onboarding process before I could travel for work. The challenge of finding accommodation, locating halal food options, and the pressure of building social connections loomed large. Singapore felt claustrophobic, especially after having built my own spacious house in Pakistan. Adjusting to a tiny studio apartment stirred feelings of homesickness, making quitting and returning home a tempting thought. I sought support from Pakistani diaspora in Singapore and that turned the tide, filling my schedule with lunch and dinner meetings and renewing my commitment to see through this initial phase.

I made a video of the time I moved:

AWS stands out as a company where employees genuinely embody the company’s leadership principles rather than merely paying lip service to them. Witnessing a company prioritize customer obsession over sales targets was a significant revelation. Unlearning and then learning became a crucial part of my journey. As an architect, I had the freedom to choose what was technically best for the customer, unencumbered by sales targets. The freedom to experiment, fail, and move forward was like a new found super power. I felt like the least knowledgeable person in AWS technologies during early architecture review sessions. With the help of supportive colleagues, I ramped up, satisfied with my progress, even if I still feel like the least knowledgeable person in most meetings.

Returning to Pakistan after a prolonged absence was an emotional experience. Being away from my wife and kids for an extended period made me empathize with fathers working abroad to provide for their families. While I am fortunate to see my family frequently, my thoughts often turn to those who can only go home once a year. Their sacrifice commands newfound respect, acknowledging the toll it takes on mental health. My driving force remains the aspiration to provide the best experiences for my children, experiences I missed.

Building a social circle made living in Singapore more manageable. Football with four different groups and late-night tea sessions with two others added vibrancy. The camaraderie with Indian colleagues at work added an element of fun. I identified good halal food spots and developed a taste for Japanese cuisine. Although Singapore still feels claustrophobic, knowing that many share the same sentiment provides comfort.

AWS has not only provided a new perspective on work but also highlighted the success of different corporate approaches to employee and customer engagement. Reflecting on the year, my family emerges as an unwavering support system, weathering every decision I made. While it has been a challenging year for them, I hope the years ahead are easier. Personally, I've never been one to seek comfort, and this uncomfortable move away from Microsoft and Pakistan, at times selfish, often feels like... growth!

Like they say at Amazon: It's still Day 1 :)