Alex Ionica has been with Cegeka for five years now, starting as a Network & Security Engineer. In this chat, we learned about his career’s beginnings, the mindset and skill overlap between leading teams and teaching, and where he finds fulfillment. Check it out!
Hi Alex! Tell us a bit about your start in the IT industry.
I started as an unpaid intern one week after I got my bachelor’s degree, working for the largest Romanian Internet Service Provider at that time. After trying different things in the first four years of my career, I realized working with people brings me more fulfillment than focusing on technical tasks. From that point, I started enhancing my soft skills and learning all I could about management, team culture, and decision making. The long-term goal, at that time, was to become a Team Lead.
Being patient paid off because at Cegeka I found the support and guidance I needed. My previous manager, Octavian, saw my potential. He shared his experience and mentored me along the way; he supported my participation in a Fast Track Management Program where I could develop and understand the basics of being a TL much better.
And three years ago, you switched to the Network Operations Team Lead role. How did the transition go?
Shortly after I finished the program, my manager left the company for another challenge, nominating me as his successor. After being evaluated, I took over the team I’d already been part of.
Moving from the colleague to the manager role can bring tension, yet I was lucky to have a lot of support and understanding from the members of the team. I highly valued the trust they showed me and the relationship we had built for years before this transition.
You’ve also worked here from March 2018 to March 2019, so you have a unique view of Cegeka’s culture.
From the first recruitment discussion I had when I first joined, I could see that Cegeka had a friendly and inclusive culture. 2018 to 2019, was one of the best years of my career. It was filled with a lot of challenges, great colleagues, fun moments, and it helped me develop my knowledge in an accelerated way. The same atmosphere and culture I first encountered are still present today, and they are some of Cegeka’s strongest assets.
Leaving in 2019 was a difficult decision, but the opportunity to join a promising startup, work with cutting-edge technology, and shift toward project-based tasks was very appealing. After two years of working in this type of environment, I realized that my strengths and preferences aligned better elsewhere. This led me to reflect on my previous experience at Cegeka, which had been consistently positive. I was grateful that the door was still open and that the people I had worked with a few years back trusted and valued me enough to welcome me once again. Something I still appreciate today, after five years.
Coming from a family of teachers, I strongly value sharing knowledge and supporting the growth of others.
Alex Ionica, Network & Security Engineer
Did your background as a CCNA instructor influence your approach as a team leader?
Absolutely, it allowed me to express myself clearly and adapt to my audience. When you present, you always need to think about crafting a clear message and delivering it in the most efficient way.
It’s the same with leading a team, you’re the one who needs to define and set goals, make sure they’re understood and achieved. It applies to onboarding, too: clarity makes new joiners feel welcome, accelerating their integration into the team.
How come you stopped teaching?
Becoming a father four years ago reshaped my priorities, and I chose to focus more on family life. That said, teaching is still close to my heart, and I hope to return to it in the future. Coming from a family of teachers, I strongly value sharing knowledge and supporting the growth of others.
You describe yourself as a people person, always interested in chatting and developing soft skills. Tell us more.
There are so many people who influenced my soft skills along the way, too many to mention. Professionally, talking with colleagues and managers and learning from everyone, especially people with similar values, is so important. Asking their input gave me insight into perspectives different than my own.
Emotional intelligence is key. Understanding how people feel helps you see what they actually need. Responding well to those needs improves trust, decreases stress and results follow. Active listening and adapting your communication style are also critical. We're all different, so we perceive messages uniquely. Feeling heard is essential and being able to discuss in a way that is fit for everyone involved is a must.
What keeps you motivated and engaged?
Curiosity and diversity keep me motivated. Things evolve at such an accelerated pace in the tech landscape that it becomes hard to keep up sometimes. However, with an open mind and true interest, facing this challenge can take you on a rewarding journey. Working in a fast-paced role with a lot of diversity means I get to try new things, so the “redundancy” aspect is diminished.
Who’s Alex outside of work?
For the past four years I’ve spent most of my time with my son and my family, and it has been a true joy. Being his father and watching him grow up is the highlight of every day. Family always comes first for me.
Besides family time, I enjoy the occasional run, spending time with friends, watching football, or going out with my wonderful wife. I also count the days until it starts snowing every winter so I can go skiing. It’s my favorite sport.
What have you been most proud of since you joined Cegeka?
I’m most proud of my team, and I truly appreciate and commend them for all the effort they put in day in and day out to deliver the best results. Their dedication, resilience, and ability to perform even in challenging times is something I do not take for granted. Being part of a supportive team, surrounded by people who care for each other, is the most rewarding aspect of my career.
Since you’re always willing to listen to advice, what would you tell those reluctant to receive it?
All of us need to “get out of our heads” from time to time. Having an outside perspective can do wonders. If you feel stuck, talk to someone you trust. What you do with what they say is up to you. Worst case scenario you feel you wasted some time, best case scenario you get a new perspective that, in my experience, increases your chances of making a better decision. Re-inventing yourself when necessary and approaching challenges with curiosity and optimism is probably the best way to succeed.
