Building a Career with IT x English
– A First Year Challenge

I joined Avaxia Asia in 2024 as a mid-career hire. I decided to join Avaxia because I saw an opportunity to develop both my IT skills and English proficiency. In my previous role at another IT company, I was mainly in charge of project management, and I wanted to gain more hands-on experience in the IT infrastructure field. I also loved studying English since my student days and always hoped to use it in my work. I found that Avaxia would allow me to pursue both of these goals, which led me to join the company.

1. Introduction of My Work

After joining Avaxia, I was assigned to the IT infrastructure operations team for a beverage manufacturer. Initially, I was also involved in SAP Basis operations, and my main responsibilities now focus on the maintenance and operation of several of the manufacturer’s systems. These systems are quite large, with dozens of servers running in the production environment across both on-premises and cloud platforms. The servers run on Windows and Unix/Linux, and I also handle some databases and job scheduling systems, which require a broad range of technical knowledge.

My maintenance and operations tasks include server maintenance, such as deploying programs to production environment and restarting regular servers, as well as investigating customer inquiries and responding to alerts. Routine tasks are carried out strictly according to operational manuals, while ad-hoc requests require me to research and test the best approach before execution. After completing these tasks, I create internal documentation in Japanese or English to serve as a reference for future work.

2. Ways I try to be an Autonomous and Better Engineer

When I am assigned a task, I strive to handle it autonomously whenever possible, aiming to develop my problem-solving skills.

For example, during a recent verification task with an Oracle database, I encountered an issue where the database would not open. I first investigated the error on my own and explored possible solutions. Through my investigation, I identified the root cause – the Oracle database was attempting to access non-existent data files on the server. Eventually, after consulting with my team colleagues, we decided not to perform a recovery and instead used another test environment. Being able to find the cause and even prepare recovery steps by myself was a significant milestone for me as a junior engineer. Of course, when I encounter issues that I cannot resolve alone or when there are many unclear points, I consult with my supervisor or team members. Since most of our work is remote, communication is usually through chat. I make sure to keep my messages concise and focused. When a more detailed discussion is needed, or when I need to demonstrate the actual work process, I use online meeting tools for calls. Occasionally, I also visit our Tokyo office to discuss matters in person. Normally, I focus on individual tasks from home while having the flexibility to consult with colleagues online or offline as needed.

3. Key Experiences and Insights After Joining Avaxia

One of the most significant experiences so far was handling my first system incident. At that time, my senior colleagues were unavailable, so I had to take the lead during the operation. It was my first time being fully responsible for the entire process: investigating the case, considering recovery methods, compiling the response steps, and reporting to the client. Although I had only a limited understanding of the system and was filled with anxiety, I remember doing everything I could, conducting investigations and trying recovery measures step by step.

During the process, I discovered that the issue was hardware-related, contrary to my initial assumption. This required coordination with the hardware maintenance vendor, and after replacing the device, unexpected behavior occurred when restarting the server. Realizing it was beyond my ability to manage alone, I asked my team for help. Despite their own tasks, my teammates immediately joined the incident response. In the end, our team leader found a solution, and we were able to restore the system just before the client’s deadline. Although our members work remotely from different locations such as Tunisia, the UAE, and Japan, they are always ready to provide support when needed.

This experience gave me valuable exposure to leading incident response efforts from start to finish. It was especially meaningful to be directly involved in parts of the investigation and recovery work and to observe how highly skilled team members approach such situations. As an added benefit, since we use English to communicate with our international team members, it was excellent practice for communicating in English during high-pressure situations.

4. Learning and Skill Development Since Joining Avaxia

Since joining Avaxia, I have been studying a wide range of IT infrastructure fields, including SAP Basis, Linux, AWS, and Azure. To gain a comprehensive understanding, I often prepare for certification exams, and I plan to take the LPIC (Linux certification) and an Azure exam in 2025. Beyond certification study, I learn on the job as needed. For example, when working on database verification tasks, I studied how Oracle databases function and practiced using SQL commands.

For input, I use technical books, reference materials, and online resources such as Udemy and YouTube. I usually start by getting a broad overview, then dive deeper into areas where I need more knowledge. I also use AI tools to check whether my understanding of fundamental concepts is correct. In particular, for SAP Basis and Azure, there are many English language tutorial videos available, so I have been watching them both as technical study and language practice since joining Avaxia. Avaxia also supports learning by providing access to Udemy courses, purchasing technical books, and subsidizing certification exam fees for work-related qualifications, which makes it easier to continue learning.

For output, I focus on hands-on practice, such as posting technical articles on Qiita and conducting verification tests on servers. Even when I think I fully understand a topic, writing an article or implementing a solution often reveals gaps in my knowledge. When unforeseen errors occur, I research and test further, which provides valuable troubleshooting practice. Moving forward, I want to continue sharing my learning actively so that I can eventually develop expertise in an area and I can confidently teach others.

5. Future Goals and Challenge

Looking ahead, I would like to focus on the security-related project to which I was recently assigned. In this project, I will collaborate with overseas team members on tasks such as building VPNs and configuring firewalls. Although the project has not officially started, I am already continuing my studies in the security field while also managing system maintenance tasks.

My goal for this project is not only to complete the tasks assigned to me but also to deepen my understanding of infrastructure design. Rather than just implementing configurations provided by others, I aim to understand why those values are chosen and to consider which settings would be most appropriate before implementing them. If possible, I would also like to contribute to areas such as network design and policy planning, even in a supporting role. In addition, I plan to make use of my previous experience in project management by actively contributing to coordination and process management with overseas team members.

The motivation behind these goals is my strong desire to become a fully capable infrastructure engineer. Since joining the company, I have gained valuable experience, but many of my tasks have been routine processes assigned by managers or team members. While I have had opportunities to think and act independently, I still feel that I am in the early stages of my development, still requiring guidance. By taking on this project, I want to gain more hands-on experience, strengthen my independence and grow into a skilled professional who can contribute at a higher level.

6. Summary

I joined Avaxia with the goal of building a career that combines IT expertise with English proficiency, and I can confidently say that taking the leap to join this company was the right decision. With my team’s support, I have gained valuable hands-on experience in IT infrastructure while also improving my English through daily collaboration with overseas colleagues. At Avaxia, individual efforts are not only recognized but actively encouraged, and I am excited to continue developing my career here. I hope my journey can inspire others to consider a similar path.