Almost eleven years ago, I stepped into Akamai eager to learn and contribute to what was then the cutting edge of content delivery. Over the last decade, the journey has been nothing short of transformative: both professionally and personally.
From diving deep into content delivery networks to gaining hands-on experience with a variety of akamai CDN and Security projects, every project expanded my technical horizons. Working with cross-functional teams across EMEA and APJ exposed me to diverse perspectives and challenges, sharpening not just my skills but my adaptability.
I started off as a Solutions Architect supporting enterprise customers across various industries within the EMEA region. After getting a grip of the various Akamai products and 4.5 years later, I moved into the role of a Technical Project Manager(TPM) supporting the ANZ region (I always wanted to be a project manager!) One of the key milestones during this time was earning my PMP certification. This helped my shift into a TPM role which taught me the importance of clear communication, risk management, and balancing competing priorities.
I’m deeply grateful to the mentors who believed in me and challenged me to grow beyond my comfort zone during the initial days – Their guidance was invaluable during high-pressure launches and complex integrations. My peers, too, have been incredibly passionate. We have shared knowledge, cracked jokes during long workdays, and celebrated successful customer integrations together.
Akamai’s culture of ownership and continuous learning make it a place where innovation thrives and where I feel empowered to make an impact.
Looking back, these eleven years have been a mix of hard work, learning curves, and countless ‘aha!’ moments. I’m excited for what the future holds and thankful to be part of a company that continues to shape the internet’s backbone.
Here’s to the next chapter.. more growth, more challenges, and more edge magic!
~Gokul
