Pezhman – The Iranian student who settled in Norway
While studying for an industry Master’s degree in systems engineering, it was an ongoing student project that introduced Pezhman to Optime, with the project being the building of ROCS. Now, some time later, he has become an employee at Optime Subsea, and continues to work with the system ROCS.
Optime hired him straight from his studies, with him only being halfway through. At that time he lived in Kongsberg. Now, he is renting a house at Notodden while searching for a home of his own. The once student that lived in Iran, is now becoming a resident of Notodden!
What brought the Iranian Pezhman to Norway
The Master’s studies at Kongsberg lured him to Norway in 2018. The moment he received his spot at the school, Pezhman accepted, packed his suitcase and headed for Norway. Originally, the electro engineer, Pezhman, is from a town in Iran with a population of over 2 million people. It was in his home country of Iran he finished his Bachelor’s degree, while also working with IT and automation for 10 years. This experience would prove itself useful when moving to a different country.
The link between school and Optime
The school project at Kongsberg, was building a new system for Optime – with the system being ROCS. This was a cooperation between Optime and the University of South-East Norway, also called USN. Trond Løkka at Optime was mentor for Pezhman and his study group. The task: The students would make small prototypes.
– Last year we started building the actual, real ROCS. The design was ready in April, and the production itself was finished by December 2020. In January 2021 we started testing, making sure it was ready for its premiere in February 2021! This month was the first time we tested ROCS in the field – this time in the North Sea with our customer Aker BP. The operation was successful from A to Z!
– Here, I got to see how the system truly worked with my own two eyes. Even though everything went smoothly and as planned the first time, we still improved for the next operation with ROCS. After the adjustments, the operation went even faster the second time around.
It is quite marvelous, that a student can follow the entire process – from an idea, through prototyping and to the finished system!
Optime cultivates the joy of creation
We ask Pezhman what he likes the most about working at Optime.
– The work culture – for sure! Here at Optime you can pitch the most bizarre idea, and it is still welcomed. No questions or ideas are “dumb”. The business structure is flat, and the CEO is like a good colleague. Everyone at Optime is curious about each other and gladly shares their experience and knowledge. We learn so much across our different educations and work tasks. We are not just colleagues – we are friends that care about each other.
What do you think is Optimes advantage?
– Big companies are less flexible than Optime. Processes often take much longer in big companies, and you rarely go directly to the CEOs with ideas and solutions, whereas in Optime there is a short distance from idea to implementation.
What do you think about your work tasks?
– My work is thrilling, and far from boring. You do have to be engaged, though. I was so lucky to be part of the first ROCS operation out at the North Sea. I have followed ROCS from the drawing board to the operation itself. That is really cool!
To see how the drawings and animations work in practice is pure magic. Watching every piece of work fall into place; that feeling can hardly be described. Oh, how I love my job!
Pezhman
Did you know that Iran has a lot of snow?
It is not just us Norwegians that are born with skis on our feet. Actually, Pezhman grew up with a passion for snowboard – a hobby he had for 8 years before moving from his home country.
– Yes, Iran also has snow, but you must climb up to a 2000 meters altitude. By moving to both Kongsberg and Notodden, it was amazing having easy access to both snow and slopes.
Even though the access to snow weighs up for some homesickness, Pezhman misses his family. Because of Covid-19, it is 15 months since he last saw his family.
It all started in a roundtrip in Europe
How come that one from west of Asia finds a study in the small country of Norway?
– After a longer time of just where it all was focused on work, I truly needed new impulses.
– I have quite a few friends in both France and Germany. Beginning in 2016, I started traveling for 2 years around Europe. Amongst the places I visited were Spain, Italy, and Germany. I wished to see the countries, their cultures, and how they lived there. For 75 days I traveled completely without a plan which resulted in lots of coincidences and exciting meetings that brought me to new places. I loved being a tourist without commitments. To discover new places and new people was thrilling. Now I look back at it as a journey I truly am glad that I prioritized.
Too many people dream but don’t carry that dream out. Opportunities like that rarely come around. Make sure to seize it while you can!
Pezhman
Why did you stay in Norway?
– Norway is a tranquil place to live, and Norwegians are very kind. I felt really welcomed and taken care of; you Norwegians show a form of sibling-love. Since I came here in 2018, I have gained good friends and colleagues.
– On that note, I want to highlight the flat structure within Optime – it is quite unique. You get an extra spark and energy when you meet and talk to “the people on the floor” the same way you talk to the CEO. The respect is mutual. It is truly amazing to be a part of that.
The contrast is big; moving from a town in Iran with 2 million people, all the way to Notodden with a little over 13.000 residents. Now Pezhman lives in the street with the pleasant name of Kjærlighetsstien, directly translated to the Love Lane.
We cross our fingers that Pezhman soon can meet his family, in real life.
Sharing stories is a part of our success. Read more stories here.
