Every career path is different, and sometimes we need to make a detour. We know that everyone can bring huge value, and unique skills—no matter what their professional backgrounds are.
After a decade in hospitality operations in the hectic New York City market, Rocky wanted to change things up. He’d spent years as an end-user of the legacy product, Oracle OPERA (now Oracle OPERA Cloud), but never pictured himself at the company—until he discovered Career Relaunch. It’s been a huge, but smooth, transition.
“It has been a great onboarding experience thanks to the tremendous support that I received when I came to Oracle. It was overwhelming at first, specially coming to a big multinational company like Oracle, where the reputation alone can make one feel intimidated, but everyone has been so supportive, empathic, and encouraging.”
Refreshing changes
Since joining the relaunch program in November 2021, Rocky has gone on to join us as a consultant in our hospitality business unit. He’s still putting his hospitality expertise to use, but now it’s on a scale that he’d never thought possible.
“I’m currently part of a team that is migrating over 600 hotels to the Oracle cloud environment,” Rocky explains. “It’s one of the largest and most ambitious Hospitality Global Business Unit (HGBU) projects, in terms of magnitude and cadence of the implementation.”
One of the most refreshing things about the program for Rocky was the level of trust. Participants were treated as the valued, proven professionals they were, and given the tools to succeed from the start. It’s an approach that’s continued into his fulltime experience.
Appreciation
“Our managers support our work by giving us the tools and training required for product delivery as well as continuous improvement,” he observes. “They recognize our work through commendations, rewards and highlighting the importance of our individual contributions as integral not just in the collective product-delivery process but also customer retention.”
Recognition like this is encouraged at all levels, and Rocky appreciates how valued his work is. There’s a real sense that leadership is aware of just how much effort everyone puts in.
“I personally have received commendations from my lead consultant, project managers, resource manager, senior consulting implementation manager, directors, including our director for North America and one of our global vice presidents, and all this have happened within six months after onboarding!”
He goes on to express his admiration for Oracle’s flat approach to feedback. Good ideas get traction and aren’t stifled by hierarchical thinking.
“Communication with senior management is not at all intimidating,” Rocky says. “In fact, they encourage a ‘digital open-door policy’. I can attest to this with personal experiences. They want you to succeed here and achieve personal success.”
“Best and brightest”
Every day, people like Rocky get to tap into vast career-building resources, and take control of their careers. Most of all, he’s been impressed by his colleagues.
“I work with intelligent professionals and the product that we provide to our customers is considered the gold standard in our industry, so it’s not an exaggeration to say that I’m working with the best and brightest people in our industrial sector.”
This high standard has a lot to do with our commitment to personal and professional development. This is something Rocky has experienced first-hand through in-house qualifications.
“I have attained several badges in ERP, EPM, databases, and an accreditation and foundation certification in Oracle Cloud Infrastructure.” It’s something he’s made full use of, and has already been ranked first globally for digital learning in his business unit.
Giving back
Working remotely has also meant Rocky has been able to stay active as a cultural advocate in New York’s Filipino community. His interests sync well with Oracle’s many employee resource groups (ERGs)—in-house advocacy communities dedicated to diversity and inclusion.
“I’m very active in the Filipino community in New York City as well as in the online Filipino cultural and historical group communities,” he shares. “I’ve been a speaker at the US Library of Congress in Washington DC, Cultural Center of the Philippines in Manila, universities, art galleries, and several online webinars.”
“I’ve been able to share my passion with other Oracle employees through Oracle ERGs. For Asian American Pacific Islander Heritage Month, I was a speaker at an online webinar for Oracle Professional Asian Leadership (OPAL), where I shared my outside cultural advocacy experiences and activities with other employees.”
Right now, he’s working on a vital fundraising campaign for indigenous groups in the Philippines through Oracle’s own non-profit fundraising platform. His efforts will help make life better for these groups through a bamboo planting project that will pave the way to financial independence.
A new chapter
Rocky is pleased with this balance and appreciates the chance to do what he loves—personally and professionally.
“With my remote work schedule, this has really allowed me to continue my cultural activities and I am beyond happy and grateful that activities that I am passionate about have been welcomed here at Oracle with genuine interest and open arms.”
“Oracle provides the opportunity for you to pursue activities that connect you to what is meaningful to you. This sets the company at the top among other multinational organizations and I’m happy that this new chapter in my career is being written here.”
Do you want to relaunch your career while pursuing your passions like Rocky? Check out our career relaunch opportunities now and come build the future with us.