Mohsen Moteleb
What inspired you to pursue a career in IT?
It all started when personal computers became popular, and I wanted one, mainly to play games. Computers were already in Egypt by the early ’90s, and we even had our own brand, Sakhr, which means “rock.” I enjoyed building and fixing computers, often helping friends with their technical issues. This was back in school, in the late ’90s and early 2000s.
Do you still enjoy gaming?
I still enjoy it, but not as much as I used to. Gaming requires a lot of focus and a clear mind.
And how did this interest develop further?
I went to engineering school because I was good at math, and it made sense. My city didn’t have an IT faculty and the other city had the IT department in engineering school. It was very competitive — about 100 people were admitted, but the whole group was 3000. So I took the second option, studied communication electronics, and took some IT-related courses. During the summers, I took extra graphic design and web design classes. After finishing school, I landed my first job.
What motivated you to move abroad?
I wanted to switch to cybersecurity. I met people who had completed their master’s in Europe, and they encouraged me to do the same. I helped some friends with their scholarship applications and they suggested that I should apply too. And I did.
I moved to Estonia to study at TalTech. Although I had a secure job contract in Egypt until 2043, the chance to grow and learn in Europe was too good to pass up.
How did you find your way to Tuum?
I worked with many foreigners in my previous job, so I thought moving to Estonia would be easy. But it was still a big adjustment. After a year, at school, I started working at another startup as a verification specialist, then moved into IT and later into cybersecurity. When I started looking for a new job, I applied to many places and to be honest, Tuum wasn’t my first choice, but it grew on me with every interview. Now, I’m really happy to be here.
What do you enjoy most about working at Tuum?
The people and overall environment are great. The average age is a bit higher, which makes it less hectic and more enjoyable. I also love the freedom to make decisions. In my previous job, I needed multiple approvals to make any decision. Here, it’s different, and at first, I was not used to it. Now I enjoy it.
What qualities are essential for an internal IT specialist?
Patience and an open mind are crucial. There’s the tech side and the human side to consider. Be systematic to avoid missing anything and have a broad knowledge base. You also need the courage to tackle and fix problems.
What role does automation play in your daily tasks?
I’ve set up a few automated processes. It takes time to get them right, but once they’re set up, they save a lot of time. The initial struggle is worth it.
What do you think will be the next big breakthrough in IT?
Probably something with AI, automating many tasks. It’s a bit concerning what might happen in the future. I use AI to make my life easier, but it’s still not as helpful as I’d like. Maybe I just need to learn how to use it better.
What is your favourite place to visit in Egypt, and why?
My hometown, Alexandria. It’s calm, has nice weather, and is next to the Mediterranean. The rain clears the air and the sea is close by. There are great cafes and beaches. For tourists, the north coast. The east coast has well-known places like Hurghada and Sharm El Sheikh that are very popular. I haven’t been to southern Egypt, but maybe someday.
How about in Estonia?
The Old Town and Telliskivi are must-visits. The woods here are amazing. I love Viljandi for its different vibe and greenery. All the small towns are really nice.
Do you have a favourite Egyptian dish you’d recommend to your colleagues?
Roasted lamb with tahini sauce is great. Another favourite is Molokhia, a traditional dish that even the pharaohs ate. It's a chicken or beef broth with Molokhia green leaves chopped really fine, garlic, vinegar, and coriander.
Any Estonian dish you’d recommend to friends and family back home?
Homemade dishes and black bread.
You’re currently learning Estonian. What’s been the most difficult and the easiest part?
The hardest part is getting the pronunciation of vowels right and learning the word forms. The easiest part is actually learning the vocabulary.
Want to work together with Mohsen?
Here you can find the current open positions https://tuum.com/careers/
