Interview with

Nader Othman

In this interview, you’ll discover how Nader successfully transitioned from the oil industry to IT and built a promising career in cybersecurity. He shares his journey of continuous learning, the supportive culture at Axians, and valuable advice for anyone starting out in this dynamic field.

Interview

Hello Nader, thank you for taking the time for this interview. Before we start, could you please introduce yourself and tell us about your current position in the company?

Hello, my name is Nader Othman. I am originally from Syria and moved to Croatia in 2005. I am 38 years old and I work as a security engineer in the security network department at Axians. I have been with the company for nine months and I am excited to be a part of the security department.

Can you tell us about your career? How did you reach your current position? What originally motivated you to work in this field?

My formal education is in petroleum engineering. After graduating and completing my master’s degree at the University of Zagreb, I worked for ten years in the oil industry. However, I was always interested in IT. When the offshore projects stopped in 2014 due to the drop in oil prices, I decided to develop my programming skills. I eventually moved into IT, working as a Network Engineer within the oil company before joining Axians as a Security Engineer.

How did you join our company? What motivated you to start here?

I heard about the job at Axians from a teacher at a security course. He told me about the vacancy and I decided to apply. I knew about Axians because they were integrators for the oil company I was working for, which made the decision easier.

How would you describe the culture here? What makes Axians special?

“Axians supports me with mentoring, training, and challenging projects.”

Nader Othman
Security Engineer in the Security Network Department at Axians Croatia

I would describe the culture at Axians as customer focused with a strong emphasis on collaboration and a family environment. The company focuses on mentoring, teamwork and developing people. The expertise of the people here is what makes Axians special and provides many opportunities to learn and grow.

Can you describe what a typical day at the company looks like? How does the team usually interact and collaborate?

A typical day starts with morning coffee and a welcome to colleagues, followed by a brief team meeting to update on security incidents. We then focus on resolving any security alerts or customer requests. If there are no urgent incidents, we work on long-term projects such as implementing new firewalls or policies. The day includes lunch and coffee breaks and ends with a meeting to share progress and resolve any issues.

Have you faced any particular challenges in your career? How did you overcome them?

The transition from the oil industry to IT was challenging. Axians provided mentoring and training that was crucial to my transition. Support from colleagues also helped me bridge the skills gap. It takes time to adapt, but the continuous learning and support from the team has been invaluable.

Can you share one or more success stories from your time with us? What were the key moments or projects that shaped your career?

A key moment was in 2014, when I decided to improve my programming skills and switch to IT after the offshore projects stopped. Another significant achievement was obtaining my first security certificate, which was supported by my mentor, a top expert in Croatia. These experiences have shaped my career and helped me make a successful transition to my current role.

What are your career goals for the future? How does the company support you in achieving these goals?

My goal is to become an expert in the security field. Security is very dynamic and requires continuous learning to keep up with new technologies and standards. Axians supports this through mentoring, training, and opportunities to work on challenging projects.

What advice would you give to new employees who are just starting with us?

Be open to learning, proactive, and organized. Adapt to the changes and new culture. Being a part of the team is crucial—while individual work is important, collaboration is key. Also, take advantage of the support and expertise available within the company.

Is there anything else you would like to add that we haven’t discussed?

Just to emphasize the importance of continuous learning and being adaptable. It’s also crucial to believe in yourself during transitions and new challenges.

Thank you for your time and the valuable insights you have given us.