When Afan Rauf graduated with a degree in computer science from the University of Punjab in Pakistan, it was still the days of dial-up. In 2005, people were using slow computer systems that processed data and information at a fraction of what technology is capable of today. To Afan, understanding how the internet worked was never an option; it was a professional quest. He wanted to see the ins and outs of systems, use technology to gather and understand data, and advance the technical landscape in this space.
After graduation, Afan embarked on his professional journey beginning with Cybernet, an internet service provider. He was offered a role that would shape his career for decades to come. This pivotal juncture marked the inception of a career destined for greatness. There, Afan crafted his technical, management, and communication skills that laid the groundwork for his prolific accomplishments. From orchestrating intricate data centers to guiding corporate clientele, he amassed a wide range of skills along the way.
Eventually, Afan took the new skillset he had procured and started working at Motorola Pakistan. There, he was a consulting engineer for a critical client that was aiming to deploy one of the largest IP space transport technology infrastructures in the country. Afan served as a subject matter expert regarding IP core deployment of WiMAX and the integration of ASN elements like Redback Routers, SmartEdge Foundry Switches, and DNS/DHCP servers.
His next role is what Afan considers to be a breakthrough point in his career. He was hired as a Senior Solutions Engineer at Nokia Siemens Networks - now "Nokia" - in Pakistan. At the time, it was of great importance for cellphones to have more secure networks. To tackle this challenge, Afan worked as a lead solution engineer and architect, working to build the Mobile Packet Backbone Network (MPBN) for large telecom operators. Because of his hard work and outstanding results, Afan was given many new opportunities to grow professionally and be challenged as a leader. He was selected to travel to Europe, the Middle East, and Asia as a subject matter expert and coordinated some of the most complex projects for communications giants. This role gave Afan the opportunity to work with and learn from some of the brightest minds in the industry and master the most advanced tools and technologies.
Equipped with a wide range of technical capabilities and leadership qualities, Afan went on to work for IBM. He drove data center development, network security, and wireless optimization for a major powerhouse. However, Afan felt that he was not furthering his impact as a leader in this role and he decided to take a leap forward with General Electric.
GE's culture motivated Afan to go above and beyond in every project he took on. Working on cutting-edge technologies like the Internet of Things and cloud computing, Afan was able to see his career come full circle. When he started as a network operation leader for the Middle East and Africa (MEA), his technical efforts were employed by many sectors such as oil and gas, renewable energy, the aviation industry, and more. He was then promoted to Network and Design Build Lead in 2019 where he provided operational stability and business continuity to GE infrastructure in the MEA region. He provided visibility to GE leaders in regard to key performance indicators and had a critical role among design thinkers by introducing new technology for the next generation off infrastructure across GE.
GE champions innovation and stellar results. Since 2022, GE began a segmentation into three companies and Afan has been a leading force in countless projects to ensure this smooth transition. He handles million-dollar budgets and supervises GE's network services in more than 100 locations. He is also ensuring that the company is transitioning to the next generation critical assets.
In positions prior to joining GE, Afan consistently sought fresh challenges and the chance to master new skills, which led to an extraordinary progression in his career. His tenure at GE has been transformative, presenting him with an array of boundless prospects to spearhead novel projects, thereby fostering his personal and professional growth in unprecedented ways. Beginning as a curious young adult with an insatiable fascination for the inner workings of the internet, Afan now finds himself engrossed in the daily task of propelling the mission of General Electric and fostering the implementation of world-altering technologies. From his formative years surrounded by technology, Afan has seamlessly evolved into a key influencer in shaping the trajectory of technological advancement for years to come.
