Karl Michael Misa

His gift of gab usually overshadows his skills but it's all different now. Karl Michael Misa has turned the tide and learned to play by the rules to get ahead in his career. This 23-year-old techie faces new challenges as an IT Helpdesk Technician at Western Wats, a leading provider of survey research data collection.

In a no holds barred interview, this Batch 11 IT grad unlocks his heart and rattles off his thoughts which always remind us of his genius well articulated.

CITE: The last time we heard about you was that you were in a call center?
KARL: I was with SYKES for 11 months as a Technical Support Specialist and then I transferred to Convergys as a Customer Service Specialist in charge of billing and troubleshooting.

CITE: You are now connected with Western Wats. What made you change your heart?
KARL: It's more of an IT job. CITE taught me how to have that technician's mind.

CITE: What are you into?
KARL: We help address IT and computer-related issues...Our job includes routine maintenance of server and telephony dialer. We create accounts, activate services and other windows log-ins on a remote computer.

CITE: I am not into IT, but what makes this job special?
KARL: It's a service job. It's not the pay which is important. It's the satisfaction you get when you know you made other people's lives easier.

CITE: Was it tough for a technician graduate like you?
KARL: We may not have graduated from universities but we have the goods. We have what it takes to compete in the industry against bachelor degree holders."

CITE: I usually ask our graduates this question: Are you taken care of by the company?
KARL: I would say yes. My immediate boss, who is an Irish is taking care of us. I think if you get to do things needed to be done and they are pleased (with your job) then they will really take care of you.

CITE: You are glib. How do you deal with irate customers?
KARL: I've learned phone diplomacy. I let them go. Just let them. If you can fix the problem, fix it. That's all it matters to them.

CITE: Do you also get frustrated?
KARL: A lot.

CITE: That's tough. How do you take a breather?
KARL: Airsoft. It's a peer combat sport. We play in a abandoned rest houses or game sites. I also play soccer.

CITE: Have you any weird experience?
KARL: One time I was about to eat and suddenly my cordless phone rang, I had to stop and answer it by all means. Another one when I was doing (my personal necessity), you know, I had to take the call and give instructions. (laughs)

CITE: Let's do a flashback. You were having problems with attendance when you were still a student of CITE.
KARL: Oh, yes. It's still one of my greatest challenges until now because I'm a night person. I don't have regular hours of sleep.

CITE: Was CITE easy on you?
KARL: The lessons in CITE are not easy. They're complex. But no one should fail academically because of its strong support system---the tutorials, the faculty... especially teachers who have been through the same program. The only problem will be is that---will the students be willing to resolve to finish in three years?"

CITE: Many students prefer Information Technology when they come to CITE. What do you think is the reason?
KARL: IT is a well-advertised course. Opportunities are a lot. Students might think IT is simple--- with a push of a button or just answering e-mails but it's difficult because you are not allowed to make any margin of error. Each mistake costs a lot to the company!

CITE: What do you advise?
KARL: When parents ask me about how to get to CITE, I would suggest that they ask their sons what do they really want to focus because IT in CITE is a broad course. They should have a knowledge where it counts.

CITE: I see that you are pursuing an IT degree through the equivalency program offered by CIT.
KARL: I figured out that I may have some stuff I learned from school, but I'm going to need that diploma. When our director said, 'your pay raise depends on what is in your resume,' it got me. I had to play by the rules.

CITE: How do you see yourself years from now down the road?
KARL: I want to be a freelance software developer and be a consultant.

CITE: Thank you for making us proud.
KARL: Thank you, sir.