#32 Amer Ćatović - Keep moving, don’t hesitate and never give up!

Futures Voices

You commence your university study and a war erupts. You find yourself on the front lines, questioning the world and where it's all leading to. You decide to take a chance, and in the middle of the war take up a scholarship to study engineering in Algeria! Amer Catovic’s life was turned upside down but his remarkable journey continued despite numerous setbacks, and he ended up studying at 6 Universities in 4 countries in 3 different languages! After completing his Ph.D in wireless technology in New Jersey, Amer found himself in a post September 11 world, where it was difficult to get a job. He drove a cab and delivered pizza for nearly a year but never gave up on his dream. After 40 rejections, an opportunity opened up that paved the way for his career in the communications industry. Today he is the director of technology standards at Qualcomm in San Diego with over a 100 patented ideas!

We speak to Amer, about his life and career. We discuss technology standards and how important they are in today’s fast evolving communication industries as well as what it takes to successfully innovate in this industry. “Any idea that doesn’t look hopeless or stupid in the beginning has no chance of succeeding in the long term. Surround yourself with people who are not afraid to speak their mind and unleash your full potential” says Amer.