Hi Sotiris! First, tell us a bit about your journey before joining Cegeka. 

My journey in IT started 8 years ago, when I entered the Department of Informatics and Telecommunications at the University of Athens. That’s where I wrote my first lines of code and was introduced to the fundamentals of networking. Later, I started working in a store that repaired computers and laptops. But I wanted to grow further, so I moved on to bigger projects and challenges. I started setting up networks for companies from scratch.  

With a good team and great enthusiasm by my side, I began learning about network architecture, experimenting with backups, group policies, and eventually configuring servers and working with Microsoft Azure, while also studying for certifications in this field. And that’s how I arrived where I am today—at Cegeka, having developed a strong passion for Azure. 

How did you find out about Cegeka and what convinced you to join the company? 

The truth is that I was always active and open to developing myself and gaining more experience and knowledge in the Azure field. When I first saw the job posting, I didn’t know Cegeka as a company. However, the role matched perfectly with my development plans, and the company’s growing presence in Greece and abroad made me realize that it was a great opportunity for me to progress. 

The final decision to join Cegeka came when I learned about its positive and fair working environment. This is something I can now personally confirm, having experienced it myself since I’ve joined the company. 

Six months in, what do you like most about your role and what do you find most challenging? 

For the past six months as an Azure Operator in the Public Cloud team, what I enjoy the most is that every day I get to learn more and more about the field I truly love. I have many colleagues – experienced engineers – who support me, and together we solve complex problems. I make sure to take note of everything I learn and keep progressing. 

The biggest, but at the same time most interesting, challenge is when I face a problem I haven’t encountered before, and I’m asked to find a solution. Even though it can be difficult, I really enjoy the process, because it allows me to grow, and in the end, I always unlock new knowledge in my field. 

How would you describe the company’s culture? 

At Cegeka, I see a very open and progressive company culture. What I really appreciate is that the company values both experienced professionals with strong skills, as well as young people who bring enthusiasm and talent. Another aspect I find very special is the multicultural environment across almost all teams. It’s inspiring to see people from different backgrounds approach problems in their own unique ways, while still working together effectively every day to achieve common goals. 

Is there a lesson from your military service that serves you in your professional life? 

My military service doesn’t directly help me in my current professional role. This is mainly because of the very specialized nature of my position in Azure, while the military does not use Public Cloud services for security and confidentiality reasons.  However, it did help me develop some important principles that I still carry with me in my work today: for example, not judging any of my colleagues and always persevering until I reach my goal. 

How would you describe your team’s vibe and approach to difficult situations? 

The truth is that whenever a problem has come up within our team, we have managed it with a strong sense of support and great discretion toward the person facing the issue. I believe our manager plays an important role here, guiding us toward collective efforts and actions that help us smoothly overcome such difficult situations. 

For me, it’s very important to feel that the people I work with every day are there to support me when I encounter a challenge – and that’s exactly the vibe in our team. 

What inspires you and motivates you to learn more and further develop yourself?

I believe that the drive and effort to improve yourself every day is based on two factors. The first is the person’s internal motivation – how dedicated and focused they are on achieving the goals they set in their life.  

The second factor, I believe, is loving what you chose to follow. Therefore, for me, it’s not only about being persistent in reaching my daily goals, but also about the fact that I truly enjoy what I’ve chosen to pursue: working as a System Engineer in Azure. Day by day, I find myself enjoying it more and more, instead of getting tired of it.

If you didn’t work in IT, what would you do?

Since I’ve never worked professionally in anything other than IT, I don’t really know what it would be like in all these different fields, but just the thought of such a change feels very challenging to me. If I weren’t in IT, I’d probably want to do something completely different from what I do today. Ranging from being an aircraft pilot, to working as a waiter in luxury tourist destinations, or even as a farmer. 

Every time I think about this question, I always reach the same conclusion: “Thank God I ended up being an IT engineer.”