Globetrotters: Juan Takes Houston
This fall Weaver had two of our own and two visiting staff members participate in the Weaver Secondment Program. See what Juan Alvarez from Baker Tilly Mexico had to say about his experience at Weaver and in the United States.
Name: Juan Carlos Alvarez
Position: Risk Advisory Services Associate II, Houston
Dates: August – November 2016
Local Firm: Baker Tilly Mexico
What were the objectives of the secondment?
The objective was to assist the firm in advisory projects for three months.
Briefly detail your secondment experience.
This opportunity has been a great experience for me. It has given me a professional challenge and several new personal experiences in one of the largest cities in the United States. I met friendly people both at the office and outside of work. While working at Weaver, I met a committed group of people who are determined to achieve a common purpose. Outside of work, I learned that respect is continually practiced and is an important value to maintain when living in this city.
What have you learned as a result of the secondment experience?
It was a great work experience! I worked on assignments in several different industries and gained knowledge by taking on a variety of tasks within those projects. I learned various methodologies and have gained insight into the application of the COSO framework. I also learned more about risks and controls.
My experience at Weaver has helped me gain a more complete understanding of the methodologies used by the advisory services team. I believe that I can use the experiences I’ve had during the secondment program in my future projects, and to help me advance my professional development.
What was something that surprised you about the local culture?
I found two things that surprised me the most, both of which I think define some aspect of the local culture. First, it has been a pleasure to realize that I’m driving in one of the biggest cities in the United States! In the beginning, I had a difficult time understanding the road systems which caused me to end up in the wrong lanes on the freeway and to get lost on several occasions. Secondly, I had the experience of using the gas pump to fuel my car which I have never done before. I found it to be easy, although I would suggest paying good attention when doing this.
What was a challenge you had to overcome while being in the United States?
The biggest challenge for me was the occasional language barrier. Sometimes, I had a hard time understanding what was being communicated both at work and outside of the office. Despite this challenge, I always had the support of the Weaver team and have had the chance to greatly improve my English speaking skills.
Did you pick up a local phrase or habit while there?
I typically hear my co-workers say “Hey Man!” as a friendly greeting and “cool” to indicate agreement and approval.
Name a favorite experience from the trip.
I had the opportunity to visit many places in the city but I have a list of favorite experiences. I really enjoyed my time at Space Center Houston. It is an amazing place to learn more about the astronauts’ training regimen. I also learned about the plans to explore further into space and to Mars in the next decade! I also had a great time at the Houston Museum of Natural Science. The exhibit on dinosaurs caught my attention the most. Lastly, I was able to attend a few college football games at the University of Houston. The team has very passionate fans who cheered almost every second of the game. The last game that I attended was decided on a very crucial play during the final moments!