Samsung changed its life

Once famous for working at Apple stores, Samsung now has a new name and is no longer involved in the retail industry.

Sam Struan with his uniform and business card named Sam Sung at Apple. Photo: eBay .

In 2012, the Internet was abuzz with the name Sam Sung. He became famous when he worked as an Apple employee in Vancouver (Canada).

The image of Sam Sung’s business card with the Apple logo became a famous “meme” in the technology community. After 13 years, despite changing his name and having a new job, the time working at Apple still left many memorable moments for Sam Sung, now Sam Struan.

Fear of being fired for being famous

Now 36, Struan is a consultant and CV writer in Scotland. Writing on Business Insider , Struan still remembers the comments and ridicule surrounding the name Samsung when he was in his 20s.

At that time, Struan worked at the Apple store in Glasgow, Scotland. There were stories about Sam Sung working at Apple but not too bustling. Everything changed when Struan moved to the store in Vancouver, Canada.

“I’ll never forget the moment I became famous. While I was working at my other part-time job, my phone kept ringing. I thought it was bad news from my family, but when I looked at the notification, I realized I was famous on Reddit,” Struan said.

Sam Struan's business card at Apple with the name Sam Sung. Photo: Sam Struan .

Struan admitted he had never heard of Reddit in 2012. He dismissed it as a scam. It wasn’t until Apple told him the business card was circulating online that Struan “got scared.”

“I had just moved to a new country, my career was just starting. I just thought if my work was posted online, I would be fired.

Looking back, it’s funny that it was probably the safest job I’ve ever had. If I had been fired from Apple, things would have been much more chaotic,” Struan said.

In the following days, reporters kept calling and going to the store to confirm whether Samsung was working or not. To be safe, Struan just pretended it wasn't him.

“I have a Scottish accent. The assumptions about my accent based on my appearance make it impossible to recognize me over the phone,” Struan added.

Quit job and change name

In fact, things calmed down after a few months. Despite his fear, Struan had to keep calm and continue. In 2013, he quit Apple, leaving retail to go into recruiting.

In 2014, Struan auctioned off one of his old Apple business cards and uniforms for charity. While not a huge sum, the amount paid for the card was $2,500 . According to Struan, it was “the best part of the experience.”

“It was great to use a moment of fear to do something useful. After changing the name, I continued to hold two smaller auctions,” Struan shared.

Struan admits he had not considered changing his name, but the 2012 incident changed his mind, even though it was just an internet joke.

“Samsung is a big company and has its own brand. I was young at the time and trying to establish myself. In terms of social media and email, the usernames were already taken.

This was especially true when I moved into recruitment, which required professionalism in branding and online accounts. On further reflection, the name change made sense,” Struan added.

In 2014, Struan auctioned off his Samsung business card at Apple for charity. Photo: Sam Struan .

After some consideration, he changed his surname to Struan because it was his favorite place in Scotland, a village on the Isle of Skye. More than 10 years later, many people still call him Sam Sung, including his sister. Only those who don't know his past use the name Struan.

“Nobody really recognizes me, but that’s what I want. Sometimes in conversation, someone will mention that I worked at Apple, and I’ll admit it and they’ll be surprised,” Struan said.

Struan's name change came not only from the Apple story, but also from a fear of discrimination, especially since the surname Sung is not English.

“Researchers have shown that names can affect interview rates. While I don’t have before-and-after data, I know the rule that a certain name means better job opportunities.

“I’m glad I changed my name, but I’m not sure I would have done it if my moment of fame hadn’t happened. I just wish my younger self had just laughed it off and not stressed it out,” Struan said.

Source: https://znews.vn/nhan-vien-sam-sung-tai-apple-gio-ra-sao-post1596404.html