A Blazing First Career That Began in Panama, on the Other Side of the Globe

Manager HYUN-RAE KIM

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To be honest, when I first heard the news of my assignment, I felt a bit overwhelmed. I was also a little scared at the thought of starting my career in a country I had never even heard of. But as time went on, that fear turned into excitement as I thought, “When else would I get the chance to work in Latin America?”

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When I first set foot in the Panama airport, I was greeted by an exotic scent reminiscent of Southeast Asia. On the way to my accommodation, I was surprised by Panama City’s modern skyline, lined with high-rise buildings, and I was filled with emotions when I actually crossed the Panama Canal, which I had only ever heard about before. However, as we moved away from the city center and the endless jungle began to stretch out before me, I started to feel increasingly uneasy. Fortunately, the accommodation I arrived at was a wonderful complex, which helped put my mind at ease. Of course, after unpacking and heading to work, I found myself going right back into the jungle again. (Laughs)

#Quest Accepted

Rather than setting lofty professional goals, I started out with the mindset of "Let's just do my fair share for now." I'm still at the stage where I'm too busy running around asking questions to answer any myself, but whenever my section head or team leader casually assigns me a task, I feel a pleasant sense of responsibility welling up inside me, a reminder that I'm being recognized as a member of the team. And when the blueprints I've studied match the massive structures on-site perfectly, the sense of accomplishment that comes from realizing, "Ah, I really did understand this!" becomes a source of energy that's truly irreplaceable.

#The Unexpected Monster

Before I joined the company, I imagined the worksite as a chaotic scene straight out of a movie, papers flying everywhere and commanding voices echoing through the air. But the actual site I encountered in Panama was running calmly and efficiently within a digital sharing system. (Laughs) Contrary to my worries that I'd be stuck at the copier all day, my team leader has entrusted me with real responsibilities, so I'm happily learning what “real work" is all about. What troubled me more than the work itself was the "IT environment." The internet was frustratingly slow, and communicating with the local engineers wasn't easy. It took a full week just to get the basic setup working. The internet still gives me trouble, but now I have the luxury of being able to laugh it off.

#Skill Mastering

What struck me most on the job was the importance of keeping records. With multiple processes happening simultaneously, information comes pouring in constantly, and I realized that without taking notes, I'd have no way to prepare for the steps that follow. I'm trying to adopt the routine of my senior colleagues, who summarize and analyze each day's work to get ready for what's next. I still have a long way to go, but I believe that as this habit takes root, it will give me the ability to handle any situation.

Recovery ― My Own Balance for the Long Haul 

The greatest source of strength while living in an unfamiliar place abroad is, of course, my fellow cohort member who came to Panama with me. Sweating it out together at the gym, then enjoying a leisurely night swim in Panama's evening air, is the ultimate form of relaxation. Lately, I've also been trying new sports like tennis and padel with my senior colleagues. I'm convinced that these healthy routines are the key to work-life balance and the foundation that will firmly support my life on-site in the years ahead.

Exploration ― My Own Safe Haven Discovered in a Foreign Land

I haven't been in Panama very long, so I haven't visited many places yet, but I've definitely marked Casco Viejo as a "must-visit photo spot." With its beautiful row of classic European-style buildings, just walking through the area immerses you in an exotic atmosphere. In particular, a cafe right on the beach is my own hidden gem, where the cool sea breeze takes the edge off Panama's scorching heat. With few people around, it's the perfect place to relax over a cup of coffee. This may be my only hideout for now, but I plan to widen my exploration radius whenever I have free time and discover Panama's hidden treasures one by one.

Turning 2D Drawings into 3D Reality On Site

Manager SUNG-CHAN LIM

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To be honest, I can still vividly remember the moment I first heard about my assignment. I was having coffee with my colleagues, casually wondering, “Where will we end up?” when the atmosphere changed completely the moment I checked the assignment message. Our destination was the most talked-about data center site right now. I was so excited that, as soon as I confirmed it, I opened a map app and used Street View to explore every detail of the area around the site.

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The moment I first set foot on the site, the “top-down construction method” - which I had only ever seen in books - came to life before my eyes. The heavy scent of earth, the cold clang of metal, and the sounds of equipment moving busily washed over me all at once, and I finally realized that this was where “it truly began”.

To make sure I could do my part on-site until the very end, the first thing I focused on was none other than staying physically fit. I couldn’t easily give up my desire to sleep in or my habit of always eating breakfast. After much thought, I came to one conclusion: “Let’s cut down on chewing time and just drink it!” That’s how the blender became my survival tool. Blending blueberries, chicken breast, bananas, honey, oatmeal, and almonds together makes it easy to power through the day.

#Quest Accepted

My goal is to fully master the architecture of data centers and their core construction approach: the” top-down method”. By gaining a thorough understanding of the intricate structure in which electrical and HVAC systems are tightly interconnected, as well as the workflow in which aboveground and underground construction proceed in parallel, I hope that by the time the project is complete, I will be able to vividly visualize the entire process in my mind as a single three-dimensional map.

#Unexpected Monster Encounter

Before joining the company, I imagined myself striding across the site with the confidence of a drama protagonist, conducting inspections with a sharp, commanding gaze. However, in reality, the first boss I encountered was none other than the bitter, biting wind. Having been born and raised in Daegu, I found the winter cold of the northern region to be a challenge on an entirely different level. The icy wind cut straight through my gloves, leaving my fingers so stiff that writing down even a single number was no easy task. But thanks to that winter, bundled up in four or five layers and armed with hand warmers, I developed the grit to endure just about any environment.

#Skill Mastering

During my first week on the job, the terminology pouring out during the weekly production meetings sounded like an "alien language" to me. To fill my mind, which had become a blank slate, leaving me unaware of even what I didn't know, I chose the most straightforward approach: heading straight to the production floor. Far from the rough and rigid environment I had feared, the senior employees generously shared their invaluable hands-on know-how with me, saying, "Sung-chan, this is how it works!" By diving right in, I experienced how terms that had once seemed abstract began to make sense as they connected with the equipment, the materials, and the workers' movements. Now, after each meeting, I map out every process step by step on my personal calendar, fully internalizing the flow of the site and feeling a real sense of accomplishment.

Recovery ― Resting Well is a Skill in itself

After work, I start by working out to release the tension that has built up in my body. Sweating it out at the gym and letting go of the day's stress feels great. As I lift heavy barbells, the clutter in my mind clears away and I feel sharper and more focused. Going out for drinks with my senior colleagues is another "energy boost." Stepping away from the high-pressure worksite to share a good meal fills me with a warm sense of belonging to "our team." I end the day with some quiet time at home. As I eat dinner to soft music - a stark contrast to the noise of the worksite - my mind finally settles into peace. The energy I gain by clearing myself out through sweat and reconnecting with people becomes my own perfect potion, empowering me to return to the worksite the next day.

Exploration ― Hidden Maps Discovered Beyond the Worksite

Daebudo and Oido, both just a 20-minute drive away, felt like bonus stages I discovered while living at the Ansan worksite. On weekends or after work, simply escaping the gray cityscape and taking in the vast open sea is the perfect way to recharge. Especially at sunset, when the whole sky blazes red, the "zoning-out time" I spend quietly gazing at the horizon is the ultimate restorative.