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From Geek to Chic: Using after-work hours to maximize your career success

Presented by



David Lum Director, Asia/Pacific Product & Support Operations Motorola Inc., Government & Public Safety Business


Did you know that you can do things to help you develop your career after 5 pm? But unlike work, these things can also be fun to do! As a practicing manager in the high-tech industry and a volunteer leader, David Lum will share his management insights and personal experiences on how many experiences and decisions outside of work can actually help your career, if you know where to look and how to take advantage of them. To make it even more meaningful, this seminar will also focus very heavily on specific and highly practical tips and suggestions (homework!) to really get your career and life moving forward. There will be a lot of them, with detailed explanations as to why the tips and suggestions will help you in your career. Time will be devoted to Q&As. Portions of this presentation was presented at the 2005 NAAAP National Convention in Chicago, the 2006 NAAAP National Convention in Seattle, and at several other workshops in the Chicagoland, Seattle, Research Triangle Park, Boston, and Dallas-Ft Worth areas, and received a lot of praise for its practical nature and usefulness. This seminar is targeted for all professional Asians/Asian-Americans, and any technical field professional working in Corporate America.

David Lum is the Director of Asia/Pacific Product & Support Operations for the Government & Public Safety business in Motorola. For over 25 years, David has worked in the land mobile two-way radio business and has extensive experience in a wide variety of markets and applications that use two-way voice and wireless data radio systems. David's work experience includes product development, systems marketing, manufacturing, systems engineering, field engineering, project and program management, sales and engineering training, business development, product marketing, and operations management.

Prior to relocating back to Schaumburg in early 2003, David spent 5 years doing Business Development for Motorola's Asia/Pacific division, living in Singapore. David travelled frequently to many customer locations within Asia to promote radio systems, advised on design, spoke at technical conferences and seminars, presented to many senior level government officials, and educated customers and regulators on technology trends and applications. David also contributed to the industry by writing magazine articles that have been published internationally. One of the more interesting and unique credits in David's career is being the first Motorolan to enter into the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (aka North Korea) in 2001.

David has a Bachelor's of Science degree in Electrical Engineering from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign and a Master's of Science degree in Management from the Lake Forest Graduate School of Management. In his spare time, David is a Business Professor teaching at the Lake Forest Graduate School of Management, teaching Project Management, International Management, and Effective Leadership to MBA students. David also serves as President of the Asian Business Council, a twice award-winning employee-based network inside Motorola. David also started two Toastmasters Clubs, served as President, and continues to serve as Past President in his club, where he is an Advanced Communicator Bronze. David also contributes his time towards the National Association of Asian American Professionals (NAAAP) Chicago chapter as a senior advisory council member to help Asians in the Chicago area to improve their professional career and leadership abilities through personal growth and leadership development. David also serves on Roosevelt University's Walter E. Heller College of Business Administration Dean's Executive Advisory Council.

Born and raised in the United States of America, David is married to his beautiful wife for over 25 years, has two great teenage sons, and lives in the Chicagoland area. David's hobbies include aviation (where he is a licensed private pilot), reading, microcomputing, teaching, public speaking (on business, cultural awareness, career management, and leadership), movie-watching, and spending time with his family.