Members Words
Members Words - Lifestyle - Mikael Pittam
Mikael Pittam
Senior
This article should be rated at least 5 times for the total rating to be shown.
Your rating for this article is
Move the cursor over the stars to rate this article
No. of Ratings: [4]
reads: [1070]
After working in the semiconductor industry for several years, Mikael ventured into project management where he worked as the program director of the Muslim Community Association of the Bay Area, Operations Manager at Alhambra Productions and currently at Zaytuna Institute as the Distance Learning Program Manager. Mikael and Susanah have started their own graphic design and web development company with their best friends. They keep busy by serving their teachers and assisting various organizations in the Bay Area and throughout the US.
What do you currently do?
work at Zaytuna Institute as the Distance Learning Program Manager. I am part of a team that manages online classes, student registrations, forums, content acquisition, physical events, new media technologies and so much more.
I am also a part of a new business with my wife and friends. We do graphic design, web design, web development, search engine optimization, marketing, event management and other creative ventures
I also blog at http://www.IslamCrunch.com
What inspired you to start working in your field and inspires you to keep doing it?
As a convert, there is a certain enthusiasm for learning more about Islam. After taking classes at Zaytuna Institute and networking with Muslims across the country, I decided to assist organizations. This led me to be active in various roles. Allah opened up opportunities to work with Islamic organizations and have been loving it ever since.
My inspiration comes from my teachers, my late father-in-law and my wife. I have seen first-hand how much struggle my teachers go through. If they struggle so much for the cause and I have benefitted so much from them, the least I could do is support their cause. My beloved father-in-law took me in as his own son, showed me the importance of helping others and instilled in me a sense of respect for the scholars. My wife is my best friend. She has inspired me since day one. She picks me up when I am down, she pushes me forward when I am uncertain and reminds me of remaining steadfast. I am definitely blessed, alhamdulillah.
What's the role of faith in your personal and professional life?
Faith does not play a 'role' in my personal and professional life. It is part of my life in all aspects. Professionally, I strive to show an Islamic identity in some form or another when interacting with society and communities of other faiths. My online identities (Twitter, Facebook, etc.) are obviously Islamic in nature. Personally, having a consistent wird is important as well as attending a weekly spiritual gathering that celebrates our beloved Prophet Muhammad (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him).
What is one piece of wisdom you would like to share with Muslim youth?
Remember where you came from, make the most of the present and prepare for the future.
Study and learn from those who came before you, those who established communities before you, those who taught us our religion.
Your youth will come and go in a fleeting moment. Make the most of it by increasing your good deeds and avoiding things you will regret later. You want to look back upon your youth and be proud and not ashamed.
There are two things waiting for us: death and judgment day. You can't run from it, dumb it down, diss it, avoid it, or avoid death and the afterlife. Prepare to meet your Creator, hope for a good ending, plead for ease and comfort in the afterlife.
Comments