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A Canvas of Possibility: How Travis Painted His Path in IT

Travis Teoh | Data Center Product Specialist | Malaysia

Originally Published: October 28, 2025

An Uncharted Journey into the Data Center World

   

Fresh out of university, I was an international business graduate looking for my first real job — thrilled, excited, but definitely not expecting to land in the IT industry. I applied, and when human resources first reached out to me, it honestly did not feel real. After several rounds of interviews, I got the offer — and I was in disbelief. It felt surreal, but deep down I knew this was going to be a journey filled with challenges, learning, and growth.

    

Building My Foundation with Resilience and the Spirit to Never Give Up

    

I still remember going through countless training sessions and role plays, only to walk away feeling like my mind was still blank. Self-doubt started to creep in — was I on the right path? But I refused to give up. I took small, consistent steps toward my goal of becoming a qualified Data Center Specialist. I started reading more, engaging in long discussions with seniors who were always generous in sharing their knowledge, and even practiced role plays outside of work hours. Gradually, the effort paid off — I became more confident in articulating data center solutions, especially around storage products. One thing I truly admire about Dell’s culture is how everyone is always willing to help. From Sales Directors to managers and colleagues, the selfless attitude to support one another really inspired me. It motivated me to work harder and carry forward that same spirit.

“Once, it was just a blank page. Today, it’s a vibrant story — painted with lessons learned, goals achieved, and dreams still in motion. Growth truly begins when you dare to start.”

Travis T.

Data Center Product Specialist

Taking Initiative and Embracing Challenges

  

I’ve always believed that taking initiative, or even just speaking up, can create unexpected opportunities. As a newcomer in the industry, no one can help you if you stay silent. I’m especially grateful to my mentor, BK, who gave me opportunities to join partner events and client meetings. Those moments gave me invaluable hands-on experience: speaking, listening, addressing challenges, and building relationships with various stakeholders. I also drew upon my earlier experience as an e-commerce entrepreneur — using emotional intelligence to connect with end users, partners, and distributors. By building a supportive ecosystem, I learned that while you might win alone once, true success always comes from winning together.

  

Winning Together

  

Beyond clients and partners, I also spent time connecting with my colleagues across the Southeast Asia and Melanesia (SEAM) region. Despite our cultural differences, collaboration and empathy always bridged the gap. Teamwork, I learned, isn’t just external — it starts from within. Listening to colleagues’ insights often brings fresh perspectives. In fact, one of my client success stories came from a solution idea shared by a teammate. It reminded me how valuable open communication and teamwork truly are.

The Road and Journey Ahead

  

I may not be at the peak of my career yet, but looking back — from knowing absolutely nothing about data centers a year ago, to now confidently proposing solutions that address real client pain points — I’m proud of how far I’ve come. To me, this journey feels like driving a car. You’re aware of your surroundings, but you keep your eyes on the road ahead. There may be bumps or detours, but as long as you stay focused on your direction and keep your hands steady on the steering wheel, you’ll eventually reach your destination. Today, I’m proud to call myself a Data Center Product Specialist. My journey doesn’t stop here — I look forward to new challenges ahead, knowing that with resilience, initiative, and teamwork, I can embrace any path that lies before me.

   

To learn more about life at Dell, visit Our Stories.

 

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