Today, I’m delighted to introduce you to Mohammed Al-Zubady, our outstanding new Technical Writer. I recently had the chance to chat with Mohammed to learn more about his background, goals, hobbies and more.
Can you tell me a bit about your professional background?
My professional background has always focused on writing, whether from a technical or academic basis. I have a Bachelors and Masters in Political Science, and I have been able to transition to technical writing through my extensive experience in writing, researching, and editing at the academic level. Prior to starting at Devolutions, I worked as a Technical Writer in both the private and public sectors. I worked as a Documentations Assistant at the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) in Montreal in 2013, and as a Technical Writer for a building automations company from 2015-2016. As of this moment, I have accumulated over 4 years of professional experience as a Technical Writer, and over 3 years of teaching experience at the university level at Simon Fraser University.
What would you say is your biggest professional achievement so far?
I have many achievements that I am proud of in my professional life. But if I had to pinpoint one, I would say being able to successfully transition from political science, and the discipline of humanities, over to technical writing – the reason being that technical writing is becoming a necessity in the world of IT, software, and engineering. Being able to transition from humanities to technical writing and documentations has allowed me to broaden my knowledge base in IT, software, computer programming, and engineering. I am very fortunate to have made the switch over to technical writing.
What was it about Devolutions that made you want to work here?
My career path has taken me to companies of varying demographics, expertise levels, and staff sizes. The one constant throughout my employment history has been working for companies with a long-standing established history. Companies of this nature tend to view their employees as numbers, replaceable cogs in the machine. What stood out to me about Devolutions was the “closeness” exhibited between employees, regardless of experience, or status. I have always sought to work for a company that works for the overall development of the employees. The location of the HQ, the incredible transparency of the team and company friendliness was a major incentive in deciding to work for Devolutions. I know that my skills and background are appreciated at Devolutions. I’m not treated as another face that can be replaced at the drop of a hat. Finally, knowing that your input matters, and your presence is appreciated is something that is a lost art in most companies. That is not the case at Devolutions!
What would you say are your top three strengths at work?
- Being able to work in a team of all shapes and sizes.
- Attention to detail, and razor-sharp focus.
- Eagerness to learn and progress in my duties.
What tasks do you carry out in your job, and what are some of the tools that you use?
My tasks involve improving the existing documentation, as well creating new documentation for all Devolutions products. As my role continues to expand at Devolutions, I will be responsible for creating technical blogs that will offer a brief insight into features changes, as well as other changes to Devolutions’ products. Since Devolutions is continuously growing, there is always a need for creating new documentation. This is achieved through various software tools such as Microsoft Office, Help and Manual tools, Adobe Creative Cloud, and the maintenance of images through my preferred tool, Snagit.
What are your impressions of working here?
As a Technical Writer, it’s rare when I am at a loss for words. But working at Devolutions has left me speechless. The atmosphere, friendliness, and sense of togetherness are incomparable. Furthermore, the working conditions are second to none. The generosity of the management towards their employees cannot be overstated. I have to pinch myself at times to make sure I am not dreaming! Being able to work in an environment that ensures the demands of the employees are well taken care of is an approach I wish other companies would try to replicate.
What goals would you like to achieve at Devolutions?
My goal is to remain at Devolutions for many years to come. I hope to grow within the company, and help the company reach new levels of success and prosperity. My personal goals would be to grow as a Technical Writer in the hopes of becoming a Team Leader of the Documentations team. I believe that my background as a Technical Writer and diverse work experience are assets to Devolutions, so I hope we move forward in a symbiotic manner.
On a personal note, what are some of your hobbies and interests?
Outside of work, I am an avid fitness fanatic. I love weightlifting and running. Training is not only beneficial to my physical health, but more importantly to my mental health. Most writers are introverts by nature, and I fall into that category. I like to partake in activities where I can focus on my own health and happiness – weightlifting, running, reading scholarly literature about Middle Eastern and global politics, and playing video games when time permits.
Please share a few words with our community of IT pros:
It is remarkable to see what IT professionals have been able to create. Simplifying the lives of companies and individuals undoubtedly takes lots of sweat and tears (not sure about the blood part) from IT pros, which allows us simpletons to perform better in our daily lives. Keep up the good work!