MG Meets Brazilian Optical Network Engineer Thomas Moreno, who this week just so happens to be celebrating his first year Manniversary, working as an external employee for Manning Global in Madrid. Read on for his full story….
Firstly, please could you tell us a little about how you came to work with Manning Global. Also, you have over four years’ career experience working in telecoms – how did you enter this sector?
First of all, I want to say thanks to Manning Global for this opportunity to talk more about my experience. I really appreciate that the company has this space and allows its external employees to share their experience!
Thanks Thomas, that’s very kind of you! Anyway, back to your story…
I started my Engineering degree in one of the best Telecommunication Engineering Universities in Brazil (INATEL), located in Santa Rita do Sapucaí Minas Gerais state, because my uncle and brother used to study there. I remember asking myself several times how my cell phone could talk to a person who lives on the other side of the planet?!
What about your first contact with the telecoms market?
That was with Huawei São Paulo as an intern. In that time working in BRDC (Brazil Remote Delivery Center) I quickly developed my knowledge with Huawei Transmission equipment as well as project development.
After this first experience, I can say that my career has been growing together with Huawei. I’ve been moving to different departments (Implementation, Training and Enterprise Pre-Sales) before finally settling in Spain in 2019. Over these four years I’ve learned lots of technical and business skills.
In 2019 Manning Global gave me the opportunity to work in Europe (Madrid, Spain). Only a few people know this, but my grandfather is Spanish, and he moved to Brazil in the past; this made me accept this opportunity and all the experiences that come with moving to a new country with a different culture. Now I work as an Optical Network Engineer and I will celebrate my first year anniversary with Manning Global on 5th July 2020!
Happy ‘manniversary’ to you Thomas! We hope you and your family are safe and well. How has the COVID-19 pandemic affected your work and family life?
Thanks for asking – they’re keeping well. My parents are still living and working in Brazil, so they can work from home. In Spain, Manning Global has done their best to maintain my productivity by sharing devices and work tools etc. I’m a person who loves to go to the gym and walk outside, so you can imagine how difficult it was, however I kept doing my exercises at home to keep my mind – and body – fresh!
What are your main duties as a remote-working Optical Network Engineer?
I’m leading a Network Equalization project with a customer, so my main duty is to correct old equipment configurations – based on the supply specification – without affecting any type of service in different areas of Spain.
What qualities do you need to succeed as an Optical Network Engineer?
You need to dedicate yourself to learning every day, regardless of the task that has to be performed! You always have to think out of the box to perform well: be proactive and seek all possible information to solve the problem!
What is your advice to someone considering a career in telecommunications in 2020?
Love what you do because the telecom market is full of opportunities for those who want to dedicate themselves to it!
Back to your experience in telecoms: what has been the biggest technological advancement in those years?
Today we talk a lot about IOT and 5G but if the networks do not have a well-developed optical layer, with the capacity to transport all the traffic that these technologies demand, the technology will not reach its specifications and high rates.
You’re settled in Madrid – what do you like most about the city?
I came from a tropical country in South America, so I could not fail to mention the weather in Spain, plus the beautiful beaches to visit during the summer that remind me of Latin America!
Are there any other countries in the world you would like to work?
I would love to experience living in the USA one day!
What was your dream job as a child?
Like every young Brazilian guy, the dream was to play football in a great team – mine was Real Madrid! Ironically, today I live in Madrid but don’t play football!
What was your first ever job?
Working at my uncle’s pharmacy.
Enough about business, it’s time for pleasure! What are your hobbies outside of work?
Gym, running outside and visiting new places.
Who do you look up to the most in life?
My girlfriend who lives in Brazil and teaches me how to live in all situations. Also, my parents who dedicated their lives to my studies and for believing in me completely!
Finally, do you have any special message for Manning Global readers?
I want to say that we wake up every day ready to do something better to yourself or to someone else. We won’t always be motivated, but discipline keeps us in the game called LIFE!
