About Me (Part-6) — Mazlan Abbas

ABOUT MAZLAN ABBAS SERIES

A glance at my career growth.

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In my career now, there are two things I never envisioned or aspired to: (1) becoming a CEO and (2) starting my own business. Yet, life took me on an unexpected journey.

As a student, my only dream was to become a scientist who could invent robots. That dream remains unfulfilled. Back then, I hardly knew what being a “scientist” entailed.

I started my career as a lecturer. At that point, I couldn’t imagine pursuing any other career. I was dedicated to education, evolving from an Assistant Lecturer to a Lecturer and then to an Associate Professor.

Because I didn’t want to relocate to UTM Skudai, I took a bold step to leave academia for the private sector, joining Celcom. Over 13 years, I learned much about various aspects of the business, from R&D and billing to technology and network management. I was fortunate to experience such diversity in my roles.

When I moved to Mimos, I aimed to elevate the nation’s R&D standards. Working for a government agency fueled high hopes and ambitions, but my role remained unchanged after eight years. It felt as though my previous experiences were underutilized, a stark realization of potential wasted.

In my 31-year career, my resume only listed my aspiration to become a CTO until REDtone offered me a CEO position to establish a new IoT-focused subsidiary. That’s where I truly understood the nuances of running a business, especially in dealings with government entities.

After 2.5 years, I ventured into my own business with colleagues, which is a story for another time, focusing on my journey with FAVORIOT.

So, what have I learned through all this?

Even if our dreams don’t materialize, the path life takes us on is a blessing in itself.
We must excel in any task given to us, understanding that challenges will elevate us and lead to better opportunities.
Our career journey teaches us lessons no book can offer. Facing real challenges helps us apply our knowledge to overcome adversities.
Who says a career in academia can’t transition into the corporate world?
Who says technical background folks can’t excel in business?
Who says you can’t become a CEO one day?
Who says bitter experiences can’t turn sweet eventually?
Who says corporate professionals can’t be effective educators?
Who says early retirement is necessary?
Who says we can’t create something that shakes up the industry or the world?
Diverse work experiences are invaluable and unique, whether in academia, private or government sectors, business, technical, operations, research, or product development.
This doesn’t mean I’ve reached the end of my career or aspirations. There’s much more to achieve. I’m keen on giving back to the community and the younger generation, and there’s still so much more I want to learn. Learning never ends.

Each career phase has taught me that our aspirations evolve with our experiences and the roles we undertake.

What seemed unattainable at one point becomes just a step in our journey.

Whether transitioning from academia to the corporate world, embracing technical roles, or stepping into leadership positions, each transition brings its own set of lessons and opportunities for growth.

My journey from a passionate educator to a CEO and entrepreneur reflects the unpredictable yet rewarding nature of a career that embraces change, lifelong learning, and the pursuit of giving back.

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