When you RiseUp with ServiceNow, you open up a world of almost unlimited possibilities where you can achieve great things. And becoming a Certified Master Architect (CMA) is the pinnacle of ServiceNow achievement—proof of unmatched expertise and extraordinary accomplishments. But how do you become a CMA? Let’s meet Ken Tang as he talks about his nine-year journey from ServiceNow rookie to CMA.

Ken was born and raised in Toronto, Canada. Growing up, he was always competitive, competing on various sports teams and playing a lot of Starcraft. He found his passion in computers and technology early on and just like in sports and video games; always kept striving to be #1.

Ken set off to pursue his dream. After attending college, he worked in several IT roles, specifically: as an Active Directory and Exchange administrator. But after 2 years, became bored as it seemed he had reached a ceiling in what he could learn and do. It was on a particular Monday - when he saw his IT director step out of his car, looking exhausted - that Ken asked himself, “Is this the future I want?”

In addition to not being challenged, Ken felt he was missing something, and that was working with people. He wanted to stay in technology, but he didn’t just want to be stuck behind a screen. He wanted to use his skills and expertise to positively impact people and improve their lives.

That’s when Ken’s competitive nature kicked in. He heard about ServiceNow, and the world of consulting. As a technology consultant, he could bridge the gap between people and technology. He took the plunge and approached a ServiceNow consulting firm in Toronto. His manager took a huge chance on him, and he’s incredibly grateful. Within six months, Ken learned JavaScript and became a ServiceNow Certified System Administrator (CSA).

The defining moment when Ken realized he found a lifelong career, rather than just another job, was when he attended his 1st Knowledge Conference in 2015 in Las Vegas. Tens of thousands of people just like him, in one place, all a part of a massive, evolving ecosystem.

Throughout Ken’s ServiceNow career, he’s moved forward at a blistering pace. Starting as a technical consultant, he was given the space to learn and try out many different roles spanning presales, business analyst, project manager, before finally coming back into the technical path as an architect. Throughout this journey, he realized his ambition of teaming with people to translate technology into better work and better lives. Along the way, he’s also become a Certified Application Developer (CAD and a Certified Implementation Specialist (CIS) in no less than five ServiceNow product areas.

But Ken’s biggest achievement—and the one he’s most proud of—is becoming a CMA. So why did he decide to shoot for the pinnacle of ServiceNow achievement? Ken explains that, in part, it’s because he’s so competitive and wants to prove to himself he has what it takes, but it’s also the opportunities that it’s opened for him. According to Ken, “I get to work with the largest customers on the most challenging and complex problems. It’s incredibly rewarding and exciting—there’s not a single day that goes by where I’m not feeling pumped.”

Ken summarizes his ServiceNow experience to date by saying, “I’m part of an ecosystem that’s growing every day, with enormous opportunities and talented people I continue to learn from. To be truly happy, your brain and soul need to grow every day, and ServiceNow is the perfect world for this.”

So what does the future hold for Ken? Obviously, he loves being a CMA. But he says that what he’s learned with ServiceNow goes beyond technology—it’s taught him how to lead great teams and communicate effectively with clients. Those are critical skills as he continues to grow his career and targets a position at the executive leadership table. According to Ken, he spent the last nine years growing his own career and skills, and now he wants to inspire, build, and enable teams to grow every day and achieve great things. He also wants to mentor people—people who are feeling stuck, unmotivated, and lost like he was—showing them how ServiceNow is an incredible place to grow.

And that’s how you RiseUp with ServiceNow.