In our staff spotlights, we get up close and personal with our amazing Sophos team members.
Up next is Ryan Robin Mendoza, Technical Support Engineer L1 - 3.
Let's Talk Career
1. Can you tell us about your role at Sophos?
I am a Technical Support Engineer who provides technical assistance to our customers and partners. As an L1 Support Engineer, my role involves in-depth analysis and troubleshooting of technical issues for all NSG Products, including Sophos XG and UTM Firewall, Central Email Security, ZTNA, Phish Threat, Cloud Optix, and Central Wireless.
2. How did you get to the role you're in now?
While browsing LinkedIn, I found an opportunity to be part of Technical Support for Sophos. I jumped at the opportunity, and after successful interviews, I joined Sophos in September 2021
3. What inspired you to get into IT and security?
At first, I was inspired to get into IT because my dream was to develop games. But when I went to college, my interest changed. I focused on getting into cybersecurity and networking.
4. What do you enjoy most about your role?
I am an extrovert, so what I enjoy most about my role is having the chance to communicate with diverse types of people.
5. What's something you've done during your time in the organization that you're proud of?
I am proud to have been a part of the quarterly Sophos Team 10 members twice and recognized with the APAC Team’s “True Star” Award around six times.
Sophos Team 10 recognizes and celebrates the Sophos Support engineers who achieve the top satisfaction scores.
The “True Star” Award recognizes the Sophos Support Engineers from the APAC region who achieve an overall top scorecard consisting of criteria such as first-day resolution, productivity rate, and CSAT scores.
6. Describe a typical day in your Sophos life.
Typically, my day starts by logging in and attending phone calls with customers and partners. In the second half of the shift, I focus mainly on checking my backlogs, investigating pending cases, and sending responses through emails.
7. What's the best advice you can give to someone who has just started their career?
Trust the process. Be confident and always look forward to learning something new.
8. What would you do (for a career) if you weren't doing this?
A professional eSports player or a pilot.
Role in the Sophos Community
9. What's a fun fact about you that you could share with the Community?
I love fishkeeping, especially Betta Fish or Siamese fighting fish.
10. Have you posted any Recommended Read guides on the Community?
Not yet. But I look forward to working on one soon.
Who is Ryan Robin outside of Work?
11. What are your hobbies outside of work?
I enjoy playing basketball and mobile games with my friends. I also like to travel to other countries.
12. What’s something you’re planning on doing in the next year that you’ve never done?
Travel to countries like Egypt and Greece.
13. What's one thing you're really good at?
Outside of work, I’m good at sleeping.
14. If you could learn how to do anything, what would it be?
I want to learn the secrets and techniques of investing into stocks and cryptocurrency.
15. Tell us about where you live (and your journey getting there - if applicable).
I live in San Pedro, Laguna, Philippines. My family chose this place for us when I was a child since it’s convenient to travel to Makati City, where we’re currently working.
Photo from San Pedro City Laguna Facebook Page
16. What's your favorite thing about where you live?
It’s near almost anything you need, like groceries, malls, local restaurants, and much more!
17. Tell us something that might surprise us about you.
I am afraid of heights, but I love flying in an airplane.
18. Any favorite line from a movie?
“You gave me peace in a lifetime of war” – Achilles, Troy (2004)
19. If you had a superpower, what would it be?
Telekinesis! Probably feels so cool to be like Doctor Strange.
Photo from Marvel Studios