This story does not start 2 years ago; it started around 8 months before that, on one of those loooong frustrating days of working on my graduation project; started with a strange number blinking on my mobile screen, and a stranger on the other side asking when I would be available to arrange an interview at some software company called esense.
Ruba –as I learned later was the secretary’s name that called me- couldn’t have picked a worst timing for this phone call… things were going bananas with our project, I had just hit a new record of sleepless, stressful nights, and then more than ever was sure that I HATED programming.
At that moment, it took me 3 seconds to decide it is too early for me to even think about work, I explained that I’m done with school yet and I will be contacting them again when I do.
Two days later, I turned down an internship opportunity with Microsoft (shu ya3ni MS a7san min esense, biddesh)
Oh well, passed my project, got my bachelor’s degree, graduation, prom, after parties followed by 6 months of doing nothing but having fun! Till, one day I took a break and stopped to think of the FUTURE, a word I hate now as much as I hated back then… oh dear, time to look for a JOB :s
Chatting with Dalia- a friend from uni, she told me she worked at an amazing company (yes, esense again) and they’re hiring, and thought I should apply… and so I did, lost as ever, still filled with revulsion feeling towards the software business, but in need to feel some self worthiness, I applied, passed their exams, got an interview appointment and well… didn’t show up!
Around a month later, rather desperate to find a job, I called Dalia again, asked her to arrange for another interview…
She did, and I showed up this time, met with the GM for an hour and a half, left his office bewildered by his brilliance, and believing I will not see that place again. A week later, I had another interview, and another one after that, and then it came *Kabamaro face on*… the job offer.
December 15, 2004, exactly 2 years ago, I started my career with esense, a small company, with around 15 employee, and 4 running projects… Today, esense is one of leading software companies in the region, with over 75 innovative and diverse IT professionals.
I love the place; I love the people behind it and in it… Thank you for an amazing 2-year journey… and many to go.
Finally, I will leave you with a motto inspired by Amal on esense:
“We may not be the world’s number one astonishing breath-taking, excellent service provider, but we are definitely one astonishing, breath-taking, excellent service provider, and we continue to be…”
