Meet Armando! Armando Zarate was born in Mexico and moved to the United States when he was three. He was raised in a small town in Leavenworth, Washington, before moving to California. Armando began working in the restaurant industry at 14 and knew immediately that he wanted to pursue other passions. Growing up, Armando was very reserved and shy, however, when he turned 21, he bravely moved to Los Angeles, California on his own, to pursue a new career that he would enjoy. In 2020, during the pandemic, he began watching YouTube videos and researching computers, eventually building a PC of his own. Armando found his passion in technology!
Armando joined a program called Year Up. The program prepares individuals without a college background for professional life and what to expect from the corporate world. After finishing the program, Armando secured a position with Amazon in their IT Department for a year before landing a position as an IT Specialist in BWB&O’s Woodland Hills office.
In his free time, Armando loves to drive around LA and try out different coffee shops he’s never been to before. He also enjoys cooking Italian and Mexican food.
Q&A
Q: What do you enjoy most about your IT position in BWB&O’s Woodland Hills office?
A: I have the opportunity to help our office understand why specific issues might occur and educate others to minimize downtime. I also enjoy getting to know individuals on a personal basis.
Q: How do you handle pressure under tight deadlines? Share your tips for staying calm and focused.
A: I’ve learned to be organized by writing my weekly deadlines in a planner. This helps me to stay focused on one project at a time. I recommend taking advantage of your breaks, taking deep breaths, and allowing yourself to reset.
Q: What’s a favorite aspect of BWB&O’s culture?
A: What I love about BWB&O’s culture is that we can turn to each other for advice. We also have monthly team gatherings, whether it’s birthdays, lunches, or just work-related meetings. We all get to step away from our busy schedules to socialize and catch up with one another.
A special thank you to Armando for sharing his experience with us!