Meet the Team: Ali Shah Sohail

How long have you been working for Cleverbit?

Just over a year.

What is your role at Cleverbit?

Software Developer.

How would you describe your job to someone without a technical background?

I create computer programs and apps that help people solve problems or make their lives easier.

What’s your earliest tech-related memory?

My earliest tech-related memory involves my parents purchasing a Pentium 3 computer for me to learn on. However, instead of utilising it for educational purposes, I predominantly spent my time playing games like Sonic the Hedgehog and GTA 2. Occasionally, I would open MS Word to create documents, mainly to give the impression that I was being productive. Unfortunately, this prolonged exposure to screens led to weakened eyesight, necessitating the use of glasses.

Did you always know you wanted to work in tech?

No, I didn’t always know that I wanted to work in tech. My interest in the field was sparked when a friend of mine motivated me to explore it further. At that time, many young boys were earning money through freelancing in tech, which inspired me to pursue it as well.

Describe your day-to-day routine if you have one

My typical day starts with my father calling me at 7:30 am to wake up, and although I always respond affirmatively, I often find myself drifting back to sleep. Despite setting four alarms on my mobile phone to ring every 15 to 20 minutes, I struggle to rise promptly. Eventually, I manage to wake up, make some coffee, get dressed for work, and head out to wait for the bus. Once in the office, I have a protein shake to kickstart my day.

During work hours, I focus on my tasks, occasionally taking breaks to do some pull-ups on the power station or play table soccer for a bit of fun. After work, I hit the gym for a workout session before heading home. Once home, I prepare and enjoy dinner before going out for an evening stroll to unwind.

People who work with tech can be superstitious. Do you have a favourite computer superstition or ritual?

Ensuring that the latest changes are always taken on the working branch.

Who is your professional hero?

My professional hero is Naveed Tejani, the founder of my former company. I deeply admire him due to having had the privilege of working alongside him for over four years. During this time, I witnessed firsthand his outstanding client management abilities, his strategic approach to architecture, and his unwavering support for the entire team in technical matters.

During the COVID-19 pandemic, when the government of Pakistan announced a relief package for those financially impacted, we embarked on a social volunteering initiative to register beneficiaries via a messaging portal. Leveraging my skills, I developed a web-based automation system for this purpose. Through our efforts, we successfully facilitated the registration of 12,000 beneficiaries, resulting in the distribution of approximately 40 million PKR. This experience exemplifies how I utilised my technical skills for the betterment of humanity.

How did you end up working at Cleverbit?

I had a long-standing desire to live abroad, so towards the end of 2022, I began exploring new career opportunities. It was during this search that I came across an intriguing opportunity with Cleverbit. This role involved working as a full stack developer, which was a new challenge for me since I hadn’t previously worked extensively with frontend development.

Is there a project that you’ve worked on at Cleverbit that really stood out to you for whatever reason?

Yes, throughout my time at Cleverbit, there’s been one particular project that has consistently stood out to me. It’s both challenging and extensive, offering continuous opportunities for learning and growth.

What’s the office culture like at Cleverbit?

At Cleverbit, the office culture is characterised by a strong sense of camaraderie and enjoyment. People are friendly, we share jokes, engage in games, and typically, on Fridays, we unwind by going out for drinks after work.

What profession other than your own would you like to attempt?

If I were to consider another profession besides my current one, I might explore the culinary arts. Since living in Malta, I’ve developed a passion for cooking, so perhaps becoming a chef specialising in a specific cuisine would be appealing to me.