In 2021, we can also congratulate anniversaries. Daniel Suárez has now been with CIB labs for five years. As a consultant, he works on projects such as CIB coSys. In this interview, he looks back on some exciting years.
Do you remember your first day or the early days at CIB?
I remember it like it was yesterday. I started at CIB labs together with two other employees, there were only eight of us there altogether. On my first day we were given basic information and I was pleasantly surprised by the family atmosphere. Everyone helped us, so we felt welcome from the first moment.
How did you come to CIB and why did you choose CIB?
I applied for the job at CIB through the employment platform of the University of Las Palmas de Gran Canaria (ULPGC). Reading the job offer and the company profile, I found that both fit well with my profile and experience. But to be honest, I was not very optimistic because of the German language requirements.
Do you still remember your job interview?
Of course! I had two interviews. The first was a group interview with our Managing Director Ulrich Brandner (Uli) and two colleagues. The second was a personal interview with Uli only. Of the four applicants, three were accepted – and here we are!
I found it very amusing that Uli decided at one point to continue the interview in German. Those of us who didn’t know German had the option to end the interview and leave. I did not leave. :) Although at the time I only understood 5-10% of what was spoken. It was never confirmed, but I think that decision and my attitude helped me.
Can you describe your career at CIB so far?
I started at CIB in the support team. This was a good starting point for me to arrive and get to know most of the technologies in the company. I would also like to thank my colleagues who helped me get started: Gabriel, Roman, Jens and Rudi.
One day, when two colleagues and I were in the Munich office, Georg (team leader in consulting) suggested we join his team. There we were supposed to work on the migration project for Fiducia & GAD IT AG. I hesitated a little, but I was interested in the project and saw it as a career opportunity. Looking back now on the last five years, I think it was the right decision! I am in the right place. This is where I make the biggest contribution to the company and I also work in a team of exceptional people.
What changes have you seen at CIB in the last five years?
In Las Palmas, the company has grown strongly in the last five years. This has meant that we are now not a small family, but a big one. But at the same time, I am very excited to see how new paths have gradually opened up in Spain: Development teams, marketing, sales, etc. We are in the process of opening up the Spanish market and I hope that we will soon be self-sufficient.
You have been with us for a few years now. Is there a special moment at CIB that you remember fondly? Do you have a favourite event?
All the CIB events I have participated in have been special. That’s why it’s difficult to choose. But if I had to choose, it would be my first CIBmas. It was the first time I saw most of my colleagues and we all celebrated together! Apart from the CIB events, there were also particularly nice events, such as the inauguration of the Perojo office. For me personally, the successful completion of the project for Fiducia & GAD IT AG or the work of my team on the migration project with the City of Munich should also be mentioned in this context.
Finally, a more personal question: What do you do when you’re not working?
It may sound cliché, but my hobbies include travelling, music, cinema and sport. Anyone who knows me knows what travelling and getting to know new places and cultures means to me. This passion has already taken me to 48 different countries. Music has always been present in my life. I had a band for many years and have always been a fan of digital production. I collect vinyl records on the genres of soul, jazz, funk, blues, R&B, reggae and rap. My wife and I consume a lot of movies, maybe too many. :)
And finally, sport. Unfortunately, nowadays I only train fitness and bodybuilding, mainly due to lack of time. I used to also enjoy football, bodyboarding, surfing, swimming and various contact sports – mainly kickboxing.
Thank you very much for the interview.
Let’s CIB!
