By Aram Arkun
Mirror-Spectator Staff
CAMBRIDGE, Mass. — The Armenian Business Network (ABN) is a relatively new Armenian group based in Boston, Massachusetts. Founded in 2011, it has grown quickly and has close to 10,000 members now. It provides free mentoring and career advice to any Armenian who needs it. ABN is organizing a major career counseling event at the Microsoft New England Research and Development Center (NERD) in Cambridge on February 20 for college students and young adults.
Jack Antounian is the founder of the group. He said, “The idea started as we were talking with friends about getting the Armenian youth involved, and helping them with their career paths. It stems back to my background. When I came to this country in 1976 [from Lebanon], I didn’t have a mentor and I learned things the hard way, concerning school and career selections. It was all trial and error.”
With a background in engineering, Antounian eventually achieved his career goals. He led various high-tech manufacturing companies and supply chains, and currently is vice president of Operations at Revolabs Inc. a wholly-owned subsidiary of Yamaha Corporation and premier provider of audio solutions for unified communications, enterprise collaboration, and professional audio applications across a wide range of markets.
Antounian said, “If you had a mentor, it would be a matter of selection instead of going into the unknown. If you secure a position in a well-established company or group, that can act as a springboard in your career, but that means that you have to have connections and contacts. Some of us are fortunate to have them but others don’t.”