Meet Nadeen! She’s a senior software engineer from Cairo, Egypt, who discovered her passion for computer science and solving problems in her first year at university.
In this monthly blog series, we shine a light on Procorians across the globe who are living our values of ownership, openness and optimism as we work to improve the lives of everyone in construction. They are Groundbreakers in every sense of the word, and these are their stories.
Can you tell us a little bit about yourself?
I was born and raised in Cairo, Egypt, and I live here with my family—they are everything to me. I love to cook, paint with oil pastels and make ink sketches in my spare time. During COVID, I really wanted to learn a musical instrument, so I tried guitar and piano but failed miserably at both. I then turned to the ukulele since I thought it might be easier because it had fewer strings. My friend actually bought me one as a surprise, and I used internet videos to learn how to play. It’s quickly become one of my favorite hobbies, and I hope that if other people can see my passion for it, they can enjoy it too.
Nadeen playing her ukelele.
What do you do at Procore, and what is the impact of your role?
I’m a senior software engineer. In this role, I help enforce coding standards and best practices and onboard new team members to our systems. A typical day consists of writing code, code reviews and discussions with the product team. Earlier this year, I joined the team that works on Procore Pay, the only payment solution built on the Procore platform that handles all aspects of the payment process between general and specialty contractors. This new role has been a great and exciting new challenge, and I have learned a lot so far.
Where does your Procore story begin?
In 2017, my university held a job fair, and that’s when I first heard about a company called zlien, which offered a cloud-based payment chain management solution for construction. Zlien would later rebrand to Levelset in 2019 and be acquired by Procore Technologies in 2021.
After the job fair, I applied for a summer internship at zlien’s Cairo office but didn’t make it to the interview stage. I reapplied in winter because I wanted to land an internship and use the knowledge we were learning in the real world. I was selected and did my first internship for a month before returning to university. I called them the following summer to see if they wanted me to return, and they said yes. Then I did my third internship with them in winter, which was also when zlien rebranded to Levelset. Not long after, they raised a $47 million Series C round of funding. For me, it was so special to be part of something like this that was so successful. At the time, I did not even realize how big it would become.
When I graduated in 2019, I accepted a full-time role with Levelset, and it’s been a blast ever since. I’ve had the opportunity to move between several teams over the years—from those specializing in internal tools to data insights to community forums to integrations—this wide range of experience has made me a better engineer. Eventually, I started a side project with the Procore Pay team, where I helped create the APIs for Procore Pay on the Levelset side before I transitioned to this team full-time.
Nadeen with the team at a Christmas party in the Cairo office.
What resources have helped you build your career?
Part of what has made my experience so unique is that all my managers have always been very invested in my personal and professional development. If I ever wanted to develop a specific skill, they would recommend courses and books to get me to that next level. They would also encourage me to work on unfamiliar, challenging tasks to help enhance my existing knowledge.
My previous manager also had his own growth framework where, at the beginning of each quarter, we would brainstorm three goals for me to focus on. We'd set up an agreement on a personal goal, a long-term technical goal and a short-term technical goal, and we would have biweekly check-ins to measure my progress and discuss any resources I may need. This kind of trust and belief in me has been very empowering.
What energizes you about your career?
The software development and engineering fields are fascinating because you get the chance to solve problems in unique and creative ways. It can be challenging since technology constantly changes and improves—but I love that. It makes for a really unique community where we all get to put our heads together and figure things out as a team.
How have you found a sense of belonging at Procore?
Throughout my career, from zlien to Levelset to Procore, I have always felt that my opinions matter. The Cairo office is so inclusive, and even when I was only an intern, they still made me feel important. For example, after my very first internship experience, there were a few months when I wasn't in touch with the company, but they still invited me to a dinner they hosted on a boat on the Nile.
I feel that same belonging and support with my current team here at Procore. For instance, I work U.S. hours even though I am based in Cairo, but my U.S. colleagues are always aware of the time difference and ensure I feel included. They always let me know that if the timing for a meeting doesn’t work, they can record it or find a new time. There are genuine connections among us, and everyone cares about each other.
What makes Procore Cario unique?
People at the Cairo office get along so well, and we love to catch up whenever we get together. Earlier this month, we also had gatherings for Ramadan Iftar. It’s very common for everyone in the Cairo office to sit down and share a meal because we genuinely enjoy each other's company.
Nadeen and her friends after a yoga session by the Nile
What is the best career advice you have ever received?
When I had a big problem to solve, my previous manager encouraged me to break it down into the smallest possible achievable tasks while still keeping my eye on the bigger picture. Sometimes I can get overwhelmed, so this method has helped me complete what I want to do without losing track of where I am going.
What advice do you have for aspiring Procorians?
Procore has many opportunities for people to grow and flourish in their careers. Ownership, openness and optimism are core values that all Procorians embody, so if you’re interested in learning more about working here, don’t be afraid to reach out to someone who is in a role you’re interested in to learn more about their story, growth path and any advice they may have.
Conclusion
A big thank you to Nadeen for sharing her story!
We’re always looking for Groundbreakers like Nadeen to help us continue to improve the lives of everyone in construction. Explore a career with Procore today, or join our Talent Community to stay connected.
Kiersten Albert
Talent Brand Communications Specialist
- Engineering
- Groundbreakers
- Women at Procore
