People Behind Related: Khadija Al Salem
Date: Oct 03, 2022
Category:
Employee Spotlight
1- How would you describe your day job to a child?
I’d have to be able to describe it to an adult first, but it’s definitely not formatting laptops 😅. Basically, I teach a computer how to do the stuff that I want by speaking the language it understands.
2- What do you like most about your job with Related?
I truly love the familial work environment, where everyone is supportive, connected, caring, and a part of success. It’s a diverse team with commitment and mutual respect. In addition, it is enriched by leaders who radiate motivation and kindness.
3- What is the best career lesson you’ve learned so far?
Develop a keen eye for detail. Test, test, and always test before delivering your work.
4- What would you do (for a career) if you weren’t a developer?
If I had not been able to become a developer, I would have loved to be a pediatrician.
5- What got you into Tech?
Luck and chance! But I am glad I did, because it is the future and moving forward is not possible without tech. The pace of its development is enormous, and I’m curious to know what comes next.
6- What’s the best advice you can give to someone who just started their career?
Never give up. The first miles can be really hard, but you will always adapt and overcome. I’m not saying it will get easier, but you will get stronger. Do your best, work hard, and focus.
7- What are the toughest challenges you’ve had at work?
Understanding the business logic behind the code. I had to bridge the gap between technical implementation and market needs by continuously asking questions, seeking help, and relating things together. Every line of code we write actually has an impact on revenue.
8- What’s your favorite season of the year?
The variety of seasons reflects the creativity of nature. Though I love change from time to time, Spring is my favorite because everything blooms by then.
9- What’s your secret talent no one knows about?
Well, if I told you, it would no longer be a secret.
10- How is your approach to work different after having kids? (Or is it?)
Among all the challenges in life, motherhood is both the hardest and sweetest. It is indeed different; my sleeping routine and time alone became minimal. I’m always in a race with time, and it adds tons of pressure if we have approaching deliverables and deadlines at work. In short, less rest hours and shorter breaths!
11- What activities were you involved in before giving birth?
Before I gave birth to my baby boy, I used to attend swimming, Zumba, and Turkish language classes every week. I made sure to hit the gym twice a week, and would go on challenging hikes on weekends. Sometimes, I’d take part in language exchange sessions with tourists looking to learn Arabic. On top of that, I’d participate in various workshops and seminars, and would try to cook new recipes after work.
12- What are some of the tricks you’ve learned to make life as a working parent easier?
- The key is time management and scheduling. Organize your day.
- Ask people around you for help, be it family members or daycare centers.
- Make time for yourself to do the things you love and to recharge.
- Separate work & home to make them mutually exclusive and productive.
- Try to work from home on difficult days to keep an eye on your baby.