Hady Mohamed is a software engineer on the Integrations Team at Poll Everywhere.
In celebration of Arab-American Heritage month, check out our Q&A with Hady.
In Hady's free time, he enjoys experimenting with new recipes and cuisines as a former chef, as well as exploring the latest games and anime series. Growing up in a multicultural environment, he has developed a deep appreciation for diversity and strives to bring this open-mindedness and inclusivity to his personal and professional life. Hady is dedicated to making a positive impact through technology and building strong relationships within his community.
Will you tell us more about your life before Pursuit, and what led you to apply?
Before Pursuit, I was an executive chef at a fine dining Italian restaurant. I really enjoyed cooking as a hobby and was always good at mixing different flavor profiles together. I remember always saying, "Don't think of the ingredient flavor by itself, but rather think of how it would taste as a whole with all the other components." Then the pandemic hit, and the restaurant had to close down. Not knowing what to do, I started working in the gig economy - Instacart, Shipt, Doordash, Uber, Uber Eats - you name it, I was doing it. You see, I'm the oldest of four younger sisters, and being raised by a single mother and having a wife of my own, I had two households to support. Not working was never an option, even if that meant working multiple jobs at the same time. Then one night, while delivering for Uber Eats, I got a notification titled "Uber Level-Up program" and was asked if I wanted to become a software developer in twelve months. I didn't know accelerator programs existed at the time. I thought the only way I could become a software developer was to go back to college or a university. I was already thinking about going back to school, so I decided to look into Pursuit. When I saw the 9% acceptance rate, I thought, "Oh boy, I would have better odds of getting accepted to an Ivy League school." But something in me said, "You can do this, and it's better to have tried than to live the rest of your life questioning the 'what ifs'."
What inspired you to pursue a career in the tech industry?
Since I was young, I've been curious about electronics and always wanted to be a software engineer. I would take things apart just to see how they worked. One time, I even dismantled my mom's brand new stereo system, but couldn't put it back together and got grounded. Despite that, my curiosity led me to become a Dell Technician, a job I loved. However, the constant travel made me long for more stability, so I went back to cooking. As a first-generation American, family is important to me, and I had given up a full scholarship to Temple University to support mine. Pursuing a computer science degree was always on my mind, and when the opportunity to join Pursuit arose, it felt like a dream come true.
What excites you about the work you’re doing as a software engineer, specifically at Poll Everywhere?
Working on the Integrations Team at PE is amazing! Diversity and inclusion are not just buzzwords here, they are actively implemented. During the interview process, I felt like part of the team, working together to solve problems rather than just answering coding questions. The best part is that they are invested in my growth as a software engineer, and I learn something new every day. Being part of a supportive team helps alleviate the nervousness that comes with being new, especially when you come from a nontraditional background.
What do you think the tech industry at large can do to better support more diversity and inclusion?
To be more diverse and inclusive, I think it’s important for the tech industry to be intentional about how it transforms old practices and habits -- and to build accountability and sustainability into its approach. I want to see an industry that celebrates a diversity of experiences and perspectives, particularly those communities who are often overlooked. Minorities like myself should be in leadership roles, have creative and cultural influence, and be able to advance in their careers in ways they feel fully supported.
Personally, I plan to continue raising awareness when and where I can to promote diversity and inclusion. At Pursuit, I created an affinity group called "Arab-devs-in-tech" to provide a supportive space for Arab developers and foster conversations among members of different groups. I want to show that despite our differences, we share many similarities, and that companies have a great opportunity to create a melting pot of all identities at work.
How do you balance the need for creativity and innovation with the need for efficiency and reliability in your work as a software engineer?
Staying organized is key to being efficient and reliable, and taking breaks helps with staying creative and innovative. When working remotely, it's easy to get lost in work and lose track of time, which can lead to burnout and decreased productivity. To prevent this, I rely on my calendar and Trello/Asana boards to stay organized and focused. I also use a pomodoro timer to remind myself to take breaks, during which I step away from my computer and phone and take a walk or a nap. At the end of the workday, I turn off all work-related notifications to separate work time from personal time. By implementing these strategies, I am able to work more efficiently and avoid burnout.
What’s your advice for minorities – or maybe people who have similar life experiences as you – who may find themselves being the ‘first’ or ‘only’ in tech spaces?
Never give up, especially if you come from a non-traditional background. It's not going to be easy, and you may hear that it's all about numbers and statistics, which is true. However, keep in mind that you are competing with individuals who have studied for four years to earn their degrees. So what can you do to set yourself apart from them? What qualities make you stand out? How can you convince the company that it's lucky to have you? A solid support system is essential, and it takes only one "yes" to change everything. Remember that nothing worthwhile comes easy, and if it does, it can be just as easily taken away.
Where do you see yourself in five to ten years?
In five years, my goal is to have become an accomplished mid-level software engineer with expertise in several programming languages, and to have mentored numerous junior engineers to success. Additionally, I aspire to bring about positive change in the tech industry by encouraging more individuals from underrepresented backgrounds, such as Arab Americans, to pursue careers in STEM and work alongside me in the industry.
Hady Mohamed, Pursuit Fellow and Engineer at Poll Everywhere
