By Tom S. Noda
Published in the CWP February 2010 issue

How does an ordinary IT staffer achieve a successful career? For Alona Isidro, being industrious is not enough, adding that one should take the lead and must have the responsibility of being in charge. 

This “taking of the lead” attitude carried Isidro well all throughout her 19-year IT career at the government-owned National Power Corporation (NPC) also known as Napocor. From a humble computer technician in 1991, she is now NPC’s corporate staff officer for ICT. 

“I started my career as a computer technician and that position made me work hard, deliver more, and see the top,” says Isidro, who has gone through numerous project implementations related to systems, infrastructure and everything about IT. 

“To be a leader, one must create a vision on how ICT will build the success of one’s organization,” she notes. “Lead, don’t just manage.” 

Isidro adds a good leader is one who knows the way, shows the way and goes the way. To be a leader, one must have an aligned vision, burning commitment and always does the right thing.

A graduate of B.S. in Electronics and Communications Engineering (ECE), Isidro chose to take the IT career path after graduation, being always fascinated by the developments in IT.

“Experiencing the fast evolution of technology has compelled me to pursue IT since I always believed that it will be the best career in the 21st century,” she says.

After two years as computer technician at NPC, Isidro became a computer analyst in 1993, then as MIS Specialist (1995), Corplan Specialist (1996), IT Chief (1998), Trading Manager Power Sector Assets and Liabilities Management (2003), ITSD Division Manager (2005), and as Corporate Staff Officer in 2008 until today.

Isidro tells her staff that, in order to attain success, one must have the right knowledge, skills and attitude. “Knowledge is what you know and skill is the ability to do something, to apply knowledge to some specific end. Attitude includes qualities applied to a given kind of work. Right attitude makes knowledge useful and allows someone to acquire skills.”

In encouraging staffers to think-out-of-the-box, Isidro always convinces them to work as a group, consider the fast changes in technology and to keep on learning. She stresses that the best way to inspire people is to be a leader by example, someone who practices what he or she preaches.

Yet she notes that successful projects entail only 20% hard skills and 80% soft skills.

“Flexibility and courtesy are the essential soft skills one must possess,” Isidro says, sharing that she was motivated by her boss, President Froilan Tampinco of NPC. The latter’s dedication in work and professionalism inspired her to perform well and give the best for the corporation.

In her personal life, however, Isidro says what drives her to improve her IT career is none other than her family, such as her three children Isaac, Gabriel, and Aloisa; her old aged mother Dorothy; and her supportive husband Isagani. “Every day they give me the energy, to give the best and live life to the fullest.”

Besides ECE, Isidro also finished MS ECE, Masters in Business Administration, and Managerial Control on Management Information System. Isidro says that just like other careers or business perhaps, she wants to teach in a university in the future to deal with young people who are assertive in technology.

Age: 40
Civil Status: Married
No. of Children: Three (Gann Isaac, Gabriel and Aloisa)
Favorite Technology: Voice over IP Technology
Philosophy in a nutshell: “Don’t worry about the future, God is already there.”
Hobbies and interests: Going new places with the family
What people don’t know about you: “I’m an active member of the Holland Alumni Group who plans to explore study on ICT for Medical Services in the Philippines.”

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• Keeping IT Positive
• Harnessing Excellence
• Dynamic Mover

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