Meet Oguz Bayhun, a Junior Privacy Request Specialist in our Istanbul office! Oguz works hard to uphold AdColony’s privacy standards. He’s learning German, loving Instagram, and getting used to working from home. Get to know him better in this week’s AdColonized!
What exactly does a Junior Privacy Request Specialist do at AdColony? What’s an average day like for you?
At AdColony, we attach great importance to privacy and user rights. Each day we receive many requests from our partners and direct users. My job is to handle all of these privacy requests and help users to exercise their rights. I’m building automation systems and new tools for new regulations, trying to minimize the waiting period and remove the risk factors.
Tell us a little about your experiences prior to joining AdColony and how they have prepared you for your role here.
In my freshman year, I decided to start gaining experience and applied for an internship program at an incubation center. I thought that I learned enough from online courses and was ready for doing actual programming but then I had a really difficult time with my tasks. That’s when I first found out about the power of the internet. I learned how to use Google and how to find the exact thing I’m looking for. Then I realized that if you know how to search you can learn everything from the internet.
What makes AdColony the right fit for you?
AdColony trusts its employees and does everything to develop our skills. Our team has no limits of teaching and helping each other. I never feel bored and learn new things everyday. It was the first summer that I was without my family while I was doing my internship, but I have never felt alone and had a new family here. I believe that the culture of AdColony is unique and this is the key factor of its success.
AdColony values employee development. How do you keep growing and learning in what you do?
At AdColony I have the chance to work on different projects and each project teaches me something that I didn’t know before. I talk with my team to find out best practices and use their prior experiences. AdColony also provides us many courses, seminars, and conferences in a bunch of different fields. So you are not stuck in only one area. Everyone is willing to share their knowledge. Knowledge is open-source in AdColony.
How do you act as a resource for the rest of your team?
I mostly help them in privacy related topics. I had the chance to give GDPR training to all of my colleagues. We do weekly engineering sync meetings with the team and everyone shows what they did and learned, so we are always aware of each other.
Is there someone you turn to personally or professionally?
Oh sure, I talk with my grandparents every day and they go out to the balcony and I see them from the parking lot. I also speak with Berat Tetik from the office, he always helps me when I need him in any situation. He is like my brother. I also talk with my close friends and they immediately change my mood. I cannot imagine how life would be without them.
How is working from home going? Do you have any tips or tricks to share that have worked for you?
Oh working from home isn’t for me, but I’m getting used to it. I’m still trying to adapt myself. I’m not planning to leave the office until midnight when everything turns normal! (Just kidding). I try to cycle everyday around the apartment and feed street animals after dinner. AdColony provided us Udemy courses so when I get bored or have free time I’m trying to watch them. My fellow colleagues arranged a FIFA20 tournament. I must say that I am playing really well!
What are your hobbies or activities that you look forward to doing on the weekends or after work?
I guess I miss seeing people and crowds. I’m planning to go out as much as I can and try to get outdoors when the stay-at-home orders are lifted and things go back to normal.
Which app is keeping you engaged lately? Why?
Instagram, WhatsApp for communicating with my friends, and I use Twitter to follow up on the news and memes. I’m not even saying Spotify and YouTube, they are both life savers.
What is your favorite moment you’ve had with the AdColony team so far?
Actually I have many! It’s easy to collect favorite moments here but I cannot forget the day we went out for dinner with the whole tech team. A boat took us from the Europe side of Istanbul and brought us to a restaurant on the Asia side. The food was amazing, the view of Bosphorus was fascinating. I hope we can go there again soon.
What are you listening to lately (music, podcasts, etc.)?
I listen to many different genres. My favorite artists are Kalabrese, Ozbi, Kerala Dust, Tash Sultana, Jan Blomqvist, Empire of The Sun, Kazy Lambist, The Dø.
What are you looking forward to most in the next 5 years?
Learning fluent German, graduating, traveling, doing projects that help communities.
About AdColonized
Each AdColonized feature shines a light on a different member of the AdColony team. From favorite apps and hobbies to fun facts, we cover it all! Who do you want to see on the next AdColonized? Tweet it to @AdColony. For the latest AdColony mobile news and updates, follow @AdColony on Twitter, like us on Facebook, or connect on Linkedin.
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