Imagine, starting your job in a new country, a new sector, and then be fortunate enough to be given the opportunity to express yourself, meet and understand your colleagues from across the globe (I mean literally, from every corner of the world), learn about the commercial aspects, and work on one of the most significant corporate strategy, “Client Focus.” I couldn’t have asked for a better start at ARCADIS.
My name is Mohsin Azam, currently working as a Business Analyst for Middle East Region, and a proud Global Shaper 2016.
This wonderful journey started when three months into my new job I heard about the application phase, it was hard to find time from the daily work routine to work on the application, to the extent that on the deadline date I finally came up with a one-pager, as they say, “You can’t win the lottery, unless you buy a ticket.”
I still distantly remember the day when I got an email from the organizing committee, I was in, it read! Those goosebumps, that amazing feeling, and the chance to be part of something remarkable was overwhelming, to say the least.
Things move quickly after that, we worked in virtual teams (I had an amazing team, just to add, you know who you are guys ;)), had skype session and brainstormed ideas.
Interacting with people from different cultures, different backgrounds and different styles was certainly a great learning experience, there is no denying the fact that we all are different, but at the same time much alike as well. Global Shapers experience taught me how we can harness and channel positivity from global collaboration for a common goal, at the end of the day, we were proud ARCADIANS.
The next phase of the journey took us to Doha, Qatar, for face-2-face program. I still remember the first presentation held by the organizing committee, everyone in the room was so positive, the energy in the room was beyond believe. What transpired in next few will certainly stay with me for the rest of my life. We shared heated debates, our 5 work streams, much needed jokes after late nighters, brainstorming session, food, rooms, swimming pool, soccer field, few tackles, yoga mats, Dow cruise and the journey through the Desert! Most importantly, we shared our feeling with each other, we shared our own true personalities and we shared success!
Looking in the hindsight might be easier, but here is the glimpse into what I felt during the program in Doha.
So, for all people considering joining Global Shapers anytime in the future, please note, it’s totally worth the effort. You will have a connection in every corner of this world, you will be able to question members of the executive board and present your perspective most importantly you will have fun!
-Mohsin Azam
Global Shaper: Generation 2016
