JP Morgan Chase & Co.

Last March 26, 2013, We went to JP Morgan & Chase Co. I was really excited because this is one of the company that I am really planning to work for. 

At first I thought that commuting to JP Morgan was going to be hard since we have to ride the LRT and MRT then afterwards taking a bus. I found out that it wasn't really that hard but it's kinda hassle because I was wearing business attire going there. Adding the humid weather, I really perspired that time.

When we arrive at JP Morgan I already felt relieved since we are already there but when we asked the guard he said we are on the wrong building and he pointed to the other JP Morgan building, this really made me very disappointing, thus I sweated more.

I was also disappointed about the guards, they were not so hospitable. I didn't like the tone of the lady guard who approached us because my friend took a picture. Although it is understandable that she was just doing her job, we still found it a little bit of harsh. She should've said it in a nice way.

After that we had our bags inspected and walk through the metal detector. We proceeded to the career hub hallway, there we saw several vending machines that offers free drinks!! I had a hot chocolate!!

I was amazed of the speakers, they are all fluent in English. I learned that the company is existing for about 200 years. The company currently have 2.3 Trillion US Dollars in Assets and they earn about 19 Billion USD per year. The company houses over 240,000 employees around the globe.

The company also has a tagline "First class business in a first class way." - this really inspired  me

JP Morgan Chase & Co. is comprised of JP Morgan which is a banking corporation and Chase & Co. which is more focused on products and brands.

The company started in the Philippines in the 1960s.  But their main office in Asia Pacific is located in Hong Kong.

Some of the interesting facts I gathered is that JP Morgan funded the construction of Titanic and the Pedestal of the Statue of Liberty. Here in the Philippines they are also the one advised SM to acquire Makro (chain grocery shops) and also funded and advised Cebu Pacific to offer Piso Fare Promos. 

I found it funny and amazing when the speaker said that the famous icon on the Monopoly game was actually  Mr. J. Pierpont Morgan, the game was dedicated to him for saving the US stock market during his time. He is also a well-known gem collector during his time.

The company at present is helping out to the community as a matter of fact they are considered to be one of the most Philanthropic companies in the Philippines. They have also been awarded for being one of the most Energy Efficient Structure not only in the Philippines but also in all of South East Asia. They also received several recognition from  by Philippine Economic Zone Authority (PEZA).

After the talk, we went around the company for a tour around the facilities. Unfortunately we were not allowed to take pictures. Upon reaching the rooftop you can see a fantastic view (overlooking a golf course).

HIS Seminar - GOX Edition

As part of the IT-EXPO requirement and alternative class, I attended a class which is a video taken at Asian Institute of Management (AIM), Makati. The topic of the seminar is about Health Information System (HIS).

The quality of the video was good however the audio is somewhat distorted because of the echoing voice of the speaker but still we were still able to understand it.

The first speaker was Mr. Alberto Romualdez, M.D. who talked about Reforming the Philippine Health System for Universal Health Care. He said that there is an inequality of healthcare in the Philippines.

Currently, the Philippine government doesn't have an Information System that covers the health department. So, Mr. Romualdez hopes that someday the government will implement a National Health Information System.

He also said that, as of now, the Philippine Government has no existing Health Information Systems or a system that encompasses that health department. He said that someday, the government should implement a National Health Information System so that the the problem even not be completely solved but at least it can help lessen the problem.

The second speaker was also the last, Mr. Alvin Marcelo tackled about the ways to establish a responsive national Health Information System. He added that there are 5 elements important when implementing such systems. These factors are the: Governance, Regulation, Financing, HR, and services.

The seminar was ended by conducting an open forum for audience which majority I think were students.

According to my friends who attended the seminar said that they were offered food after the seminar. They said that they had their fill because the food was abundant and delicious. I was also supposed to attend the said seminar, however there are some conflicts on my schedule during that day which made it impossible for me to attend.

NetworkLabs Company Tour

Last March 15, 2013, Friday, We went to NetworkLabs, Inc which is located in UP-Ayala Land Technohub, Diliman, Quezon City. It is a computer solutions company. It is a joint venture of Nokia Siemens Network.

At present, the company has more than 400 employees. The company’s workforce are mainly software engineers which comprises around 95% and the other 5% of the workforce are the HR, Documentations, and other non-technical personnel. I was surprised that 15% of the company’s software engineers are Lasallians.

I'm really wondering if I can work here because most of the jobs done here are more on the programming which I don't that I'm really good at. 

I was somewhat enlightened when the speaker said that they would be offering jobs that are related to our course. Since our course is not really focused on the high-level programming which I think the company is focusing right now.

I was also impressed when I heard that NetworkLabs, Inc. is the premier R&D site of Nokia Siemens Networks in Southeast Asia.

The company practices ranking in their work. As a matter of fact, they have a poster of ranking so that the employees would know their current level. (The rankings are based on the medieval period.)

Network labs maintains a pleasant and less pressure working environment, where the ranks and positions is not really that much of an issue. So that new employees may not be intimidated with their other colleagues that have been working in the company for quite some time.

Network labs has several lounges where the employees can relax from their stressful work. The said facilities even have karaokes, Xbox, and other entertainment systems.

Since NetworkLabs main job offering are programming related, I don't see myself in the future working for this company. But who knows, might as well try... :)

Brady Corporation Company Tour

Last March 1, 2013, a Friday, our IT-Expo course had a tour on Brady Corporation Philippines which is located at Shaw Boulevard. Going there is not really much of a hassle for me since I live in Pasay and MRT  Taft station is just one jeepney ride from my home.

I was really excited when I heard about our field trip because this is my first time to enter inside the office of a reputable company. As a matter of fact, my friends and I were one of the early birds.

The manager and the employees are very hospitable, most of them had smiling faces when talking to us. They even offered us doughnuts and refreshments while waiting for the guest speaker.

During our arrival in the office of Brady Philippines, I noticed that the setting of the office was like in a school they have many bulletin boards which contained different information such as volunteering on activities, reminders, job openings, etc.. According to the manager, the company wants to maintain a classroom setting environment not a typical work environment so that employees may not feel to uncomfortable and stressed.

I have also proven that there are really sleeping quarters in call center offices which enable agents to rest/sleep since the call centers are known to function 24/7.

The manager showed us the entire office, including the employee lounge, call center stations, sleeping quarters, and the data center. Unfortunately we were not allowed to take photos inside the data center due to confidentiality issues which is definitely understandable.

We had a talk about the Brady IT Infrastructure, which was conducted by Mr. Allan Goth, an IT Infrastructure Manager, APAC, and IT Manager in Brady Penang, Singapore and Brady Manila, Philippines. The discussion was mainly about the Evolution of IT Infrastructure, why should companies adopt  IT, and the trends on the modern IT.

Over all, the talk was very enlighting, knowing that there are thousand opportunities for us students, especially in the IT field not only here but also abroad. I am not really planning to work out of the country. I think, Brady Philippines would be one of my options in starting my career after I graduate.