1. Where does your name come from and does it have a special meaning?

The only thing I know about my name is that it means ‘prince’ in Arabic.

 

2. If you could change something about yourself, what would it be?

Thinking about it, I wouldn’t change anything about myself. I’m happy as I am and with all the decisions I’ve made, which have got me where I am, as far as and just like I wanted. So everything is okay.

 

3. What did you do before you came to Switzerland?

My parents both come from Kosovo, where I was born. When I was very small, my parents moved with me first to Switzerland and then to Finland.
I spent the largest part of my childhood and youth in Finland; that’s where I went to school, did my apprenticeship, started playing football and did my military service. In those days, it was my dream to become a professional footballer. But that wasn’t so easy in Finland. After coming to terms with this, I completed an IT apprenticeship. However, after a while I realised that it was difficult to find a good job in Finland as an IT specialist. So I asked myself what else I wanted to achieve in my life. And, as a result, I came back to Switzerland, where I also wanted to get involved in football. After this again proved difficult, at the age of 22, I started working at DPD as a temporary depot employee and that was the beginning of my journey at DPD. Just like the motto: ‘I started at the bottom and now I’m here.’

 

4. When did you start working for DPD?

I started at DPD in September 2014.

 

5. Tell us more about your journey with DPD – have you worked in several different departments?

To summarise, I started working for DPD as a temporary depot employee in September 2014. Then, after about four months, I became a driver for ten months. Following that, in November 2015, I took the position as route coordinator in (where?) and after a year, due to my prior knowledge in the field of IT, settled down as an IT specialist in October 2016. I am still in that position today. As you can see, I have already experienced quite a lot at DPD, for which I am very grateful.

 

6. Why have you worked for such a long time at DPD?

I am very happy here. In the past, I have even sometimes said that I would work for DPD until I retired. As things stand right now, I really could imagine doing that. 😄

 

7. What do you value most about your colleagues at DPD?

What I value most about my colleagues at DPD is their helpfulness and patience. As a Finn, I often have difficulty finding the right words and explaining issues in the correct context. When this happens, my colleagues are very understanding and give me the time I need. I am very grateful for that!

 

8. How old do you want to become?

Actually, I would like to live forever. But only if my family and friends could stay with me. If I had to say a number, it would be at least 90 years old, so that I have the chance to get to know the children of my children.

 

9. Hobbies that you are really drawn to and fascinate you?

A hobby that I am currently enjoying is watching Netflix and totally relaxing. I find it cool after work not to have to think about anything and to completely switch off. I also really enjoy listening to music and watching sport, such as Formula One on television.
Other things that I would definitely like to do more of are travelling and skydiving.

 

10. What must always be in your fridge?

Water and cola always have to be in there. Nothing else really matters that much.

 

11. What motivates you?

What motivates me most are my wife and my family. At work, it’s the work itself as every day brings new challenges and that’s what I love about it.

 

12. Is there a saying or quote that spurs you on?

That’s a good question. A quote that immediately occurs to me and which I always keep in mind is ‘Work until you no longer have to introduce yourself’. This comes from the series Suits by Harvey Specter and is effectively my life motto.