Jay's journey from the University of the Philippines to Early Reflections showcases his dedication to lifelong learning and innovation. Starting as a software engineer in Japan's cybersecurity sector, Jay cultivated a passion for generative AI. In March 2024, he joined Early Reflections, where he actively contributed to a range of innovative projects. In this interview, Jay shares insights about his career path, the challenges he has overcome, and the factors that attracted him to the dynamic culture at Early Reflections.

Can you tell us about your previous job?

After graduating from the University of the Philippines, I moved to Japan because a Japanese deployment company hired me. First, I worked for a cybersecurity consulting company for four months. Then, I was assigned to a large telecommunications company where I eventually became a permanent employee and worked for around four years. I enjoyed working in a security product development team and handling multiple projects simultaneously.

You liked the previous job, right? What made you think about leaving there?

I just wanted to do something else, specifically generative AI development. Around 2022, I became strongly interested in generative AI and began studying it independently. In my spare time, I read research papers about generative AI and experimented with creating　applications. Having worked in cybersecurity for about four years, I felt it was the right moment to transition to a new and exciting field.

Didn’t you think about moving to a different department in the company?

Well, making changes within a large company is challenging due to the extensive bureaucracy. It’s not that easy to drop everything and switch fields, especially when I was already responsible for numerous projects within the cybersecurity development team. This complexity left me with only one viable option: changing companies.

I see. What kind of company were you looking for?

Initially, I thought of leaving Japan. However, I soon realized that I wanted to stay. Despite receiving significant offers from international companies, I chose to decline them all.

It’s a big decision. Why did you want to keep working in Japan?

For me, it’s not about the money; it’s about learning. Technology in Japan is advanced internationally, but some fields still need development. That’s beneficial for my growth because I can learn by striving to improve it. I don’t want to be part of a company that’s already perfect. You won’t learn anything from that. I believe that people will learn by building a company. I want to be part of a team that works towards making a company perfect.

Great. I’m inspired by your passion for learning. How did you find Early Reflections?

At that time, I felt disoriented and uncertain about my next steps. So, I consulted with a former coworker, who happened to be working at Early Reflections. When I mentioned that I was considering leaving my current company, he revealed that he was actually about to ask me to join Early Reflections.

What a coincidence!

I know, right? He invited me to their end-of-year party. When I went, I got a chance to socialize with the members, and all I could say was that I really liked the people and their culture.

What did you like about the people at Early Reflections?

My first impression was, “Oh, these people are awesome.” They were laughing and enjoying conversations with each other, regardless of age. This surprised me because, in my experience at a large company, it was challenging to form friendships with older colleagues.

What did you like about the culture at Early Reflections?

My favorite culture code is No. 7, which values personal time. As a foreigner, I’m not accustomed to working long hours. In the Philippines, we have a more relaxed approach to work. We start around 8 or 9 a.m., enjoy lunch and snacks together, and engage in conversations throughout the day. Everyone typically leaves around 5 pm. Growing up in such a culture, I don’t like overtime. However, I had to work overtime when I was employed by a big company.

On the other hand, Early Reflections values personal time. Although we have core hours, I can manage my time freely. I appreciate this approach because it allows me to be more productive in this way. I can complete my work efficiently with a strong focus, and then spend the rest of the time recharging and studying for the next day.

What kind of projects have you worked on?

In the first month, I studied our products and projects. In the second month, I started developing a new feature for our product, BIMSTOK. In the third and fourth months, I simultaneously worked on product development, contract development, research and development, and planning new products. The fields I cover are diverse, including web development, IoT, and generative AI. As someone who loves learning and has a wide range of interests, I am truly grateful to be involved in various projects.

Wow. You are active on many projects. Do you think you grow faster than you used to when you worked for a big company?

Definitely, yes. The key advantage of startups is speed, which is our main strength. As a startup, it is crucial to appeal to customers by developing products rapidly and creating as many projects as possible. As I mentioned, I’m handling many projects across different fields simultaneously, allowing me to learn many things quickly.

I see. That’s right. Also, big companies tend to divide tasks and you can’t get involved in the whole project.

Indeed. The other point is that it’s difficult to make changes in a big company. There are many phases before someone can change even the tiniest little thing. That’s not innovation. As a software engineer, I want to change the world. To do that, it should be fast because the world is changing rapidly, especially after AI became popular. I wanted to do generative AI at my previous company, but it will take a lot of time to get approval there. In my current job, I just need to ask the CEO, Mr. Tanaka, then I’ll get an answer. The good thing is that he’s eager to make changes.

I think so, too. His positive attitude toward change is verified by culture code No. 8: Try to do more things to change the world.

Right. Let me tell you one episode that surprised me with how fast he accepted a change. I used to visit the office before joining Early Reflections. One day, I said to him that they should have bigger monitors. The next time I visited the office, a few weeks later, I found they had already changed to bigger monitors. Can you believe this? At that time, I was not even an employee.

Wow. That’s so fast. It seems the culture of Early Reflections matches your passion for innovation. Is there anything challenging about the projects?

When you try to build something, it’s always challenging, but I wouldn’t say that it’s insurmountable. There are moments when I don’t know how to construct or fix a problem. However, I always overcome these challenges by researching and collaborating with my teammates. Through this process, I developed research skills, critical thinking, and communication skills. My communication skills, in particular, have improved significantly because Early Reflections places a high value on them.

Isn’t it culture code No. 4: Grasp the essence of the matter and No. 5: establish communication through mutual effort and goodwill?

Yes. When I was in a large corporation, effective communication was challenging. There was a clear hierarchy, making it difficult to interact with higher-ups. Even among peers, we often didn't know each other well, so communication was limited. This lack of interaction makes us unaware of the overall project status and what others were working on, which could get the project stuck.

At Early Reflections, there is a free flow of ideas regardless of age, gender, or nationality. Additionally, CEO Tanaka fosters a sense of equality by not acting like a traditional boss. This open and approachable environment allows us to communicate easily, driving our projects forward effectively.

Finally, may I know your goal?

In my previous company, my sole focus was on working and getting promoted. However, my goals have shifted. Now, my primary aim is to help the company grow. As a software engineer, I want to develop products that will drive the company’s growth and success.

Great! Is there anything else that you want to say?

Let me stress this a little bit more: You don’t want to work for a perfect company; you want to be part of the team that builds one. Now, I’m in that place. I truly enjoy the challenges of building and growing, and that’s why I’m delighted to work here.

Jay’s passion for lifelong learning and innovation is truly impressive. In our next interview, we’ll delve into how his experiences and perspectives have evolved after four months at Early Reflections.