Seif Elsobky

What did you do before you started your studies? Why did you decide to study at the HWR Berlin?

I was working in Cairo, Egypt my hometown at a leading middle east investment bank

Having grown up in Egypt and the UK, I decided I wanted to continue my studies at a school that offers a more hands on and vocational approach to a master’s degree where the theory would be complemented by practice and real life experience. This is where I found HWR which offered this program for the first year in 2010 with a great curriculum of theory mixed with practical experience and learning from industry speakers and experts.

Which situation, person or detail at the HWR do you remember well and why?

I remember all my professors and specifically how they all had years of theoretical academic experience as well as industry knowledge and understanding that was fascinating to learn from.

I also remember my collegues and the excitement of befriending people from all over the world and learning about their lives.

I remember the student parties and celebrations which were quite fun followed by hangovers.

What experience/experience during your studies has left a lasting impression on you?

Interacting with the professors’ guest speakers who came to give talks from different companies and writing my thesis with Prof. Dr.  Zaby & Dr. Claas Junghans as my supervisors.

Which experience would you have liked to do without?

Theoretical exams that tested my ability to memorise things.

Which experiences from your studies at the HWR Berlin have proven valuable in your professional life?

By far the biggest and most valuable thing was the exposure we got to complete projects at Bombardier, Kraftheinz, Biotronik, etc and the tangible experiences we got from these projects that helped me understand life in a way more realistic fashion.

Were there any supporters, coincidences, key experiences that influenced your path?

Being at HWR Berlin I ended up meeting a lot of people who were interested in tech and tech development companies, which was an area I was always averse to. This helped me understand how much it would shape the future.

What does a typical workday look like?

Never the same day, every day I learn something new and I get new problems that need to be solved. Generally, I go to the office and I start by doing my reading, then I jump into the thick of things whatever the day brings me. It is always exciting and challenging stuff that comes at me.

What project are you currently working on?

I am building and developing the private label brands for Gorillas from product development to sourcing to marketing and launching.

How did you become interested in your current job? 

I have always loved food, whether it was cooking or eating and decided that I would like to build and curate new food products for our consumers that give them more than what is on offer on the market right now in terms of health benefits, taste, price/value and indulgence.

What do you particularly like about your current job?

That I get to create food products that will be bought and enjoyed by millions.

What will be your next career stop?

I am co-founding my own start-up in Berlin.

What are important skills that you need in your everyday professional life?

People management, motivational talk, commercial knowledge, negotiation skills, project management, & networking skills, Relation to the HWR Berlin- from today's perspective.

How did your studies prepare you for your current job? What experiences from your studies could you take with you into your professional life?

As mentioned before, at HWR I really learned how the real world works not just as the books describe it. Meaning I learned how to network & build relationships to help advance my ideas and performance as performance & theory alone are never enough. 

What advice would you like to give to students, also beyond your studies?

Always build relationships and networks with everyone you meet who you find interesting, if it doesn’t benefit you now then it will later down the line.

Do not be afraid to ask questions in any talk, lecture, conference, etc – people who don’t ask, don’t get the answer. If you ask 5 new questions every day from now till you graduate you will have much higher chances of success and landing a job or a start-up that you want.

Do not worry about landing a big salary when you graduate, land the right job that in 3-5 years from now leaves you with the most valuable experience & knowledge that you can utilize.

What would you do differently today?

I would invest even more time networking and staying in touch with my university colleagues and take more risks after university in entrepreneurship.

For me, the HWR Berlin is....

where my new life and career in Germany started!