Homecoming is the series in which we tell the stories of Avanade “boomerangs,” employees who left the company for other opportunities before returning. Careers are long and winding, and personal and professional aspirations vary from person to person. It’s natural for people to want to branch out, but wherever you go and whatever you do, there is always a home for you at Avanade.

I first joined Avanade as an IT support early in 2001, when I saw a full-page ad in the newspaper highlighting a new joint venture between Accenture and Microsoft. A solution-driven company fully focused on Microsoft technologies? Wow.

I started out as an IT support consultant and soon transitioned to infrastructure consulting. My first project was amazing: setting up Avanade Malaysia’s first office at KLCC Twin Tower. After that, I worked on a variety of projects that grew my skills and career in consulting. I worked a lot overseas and eventually was approved to relocate permanently to Avanade’s Singapore office!

But, like many in consulting, I wanted to be based in my country more often – I was in my rental less than 20% of the time one year – and was tired of the constant travel. I left Avanade for a business whose scope was much more local and gave me the opportunity to lead and grow my own team. Since then, I’ve worked at three or four technology companies in all sorts of roles: technical delivery lead, pre-sales solution architect, technical project manager and more.

But the skill and delivery strength of Avanade was often in the back of my mind. The other companies I worked at were less established and didn’t have the processes and policies in place that enable consultants to do their best work for clients. If I wanted a program put in place, I had to build it for myself – definitely a culture shock coming from Avanade!

Luckily, I had kept in touch with my former Avanade coworkers and news from LinkedIn, and when I was looking for my next opportunity and saw a role at Avanade I knew I’d be a fit for, it was fate! I thought I might be nervous about returning, that the things I valued like the people and processes may have changed, but that hasn’t been the case; the Avanade culture, beliefs, spirit and values have been constant since I joined in 2001. There aren’t as many familiar faces, but I still fit in to the Avanade family just as well as 20 years ago!

I definitely think being away from Avanade helped me improve and be more effective in my role: I have learned how to change the situation rather than trying to change a person or group of people. This is important when in a management position. For example, if team members are doing something that negatively impacts productivity, instead of trying to change the people to fit the status quo, it’s better to take a look at the status quo itself and see how can be adjusted to promote success within the workplace. Avanade is highly focused on innovation and being curious, and I’m happy to have built that elsewhere so I can provide Avanade clients my best work.