Mohammed Arabi�s journey to project management came from an unlikely starting point.

�I don�t have an engineering background � I have a background in accounting,� Mohammed said.

�But I�m an outgoing person. I like to interact, solve problems, and talk to people.�

That openness to trying something new led him into project management, where no two days look the same.

This past August marked Mohammed�s first anniversary with Design Works. Like many who join the construction and design world, his early days were a whirlwind.

�When I first came in, I thought it was going to be meeting minutes, tracking deadlines, following up with the team. That was my expectation.�

Instead, he quickly discovered how dynamic the role really is � and how high the stakes can be.

�It felt like sink or swim when I started. A lot of times I found myself solving a problem while learning how to solve it.�

𝗪𝗵𝗲𝗻 𝗜𝘁 𝗖𝗹𝗶𝗰𝗸𝗲𝗱

Around the three-month mark, things began to shift.

�Things started to click once it slowed down. I could finally stop and ask: why do we do this? Is there a better way?�

By the end of his first year, Mohammed realized the job was far bigger � and more rewarding � than he imagined.

�I didn�t think a year in I�d be the most important person on some jobs. Clients now know me as Mo from Design Works.�

𝗣𝗼𝘄𝗲𝗿𝗲𝗱 𝗯𝘆 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗧𝗲𝗮𝗺

Even with his growth, Mohammed is quick to point out that success doesn�t happen alone.

�My success is driven by the people who put in the hard work. I just make sure things stay on track � the real work is done by the team.�

�Sometimes clients don�t even know who�s working on the job � they just know Mo made it smooth. I get recognized, but really I�m just the beneficiary of the team�s hard work.�

𝗟𝗼𝗼𝗸𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗔𝗵𝗲𝗮𝗱

As he looks to year two, Mohammed is focused on taking on bigger projects and stepping up even further.

�I learn best when I�m uncomfortable. When things get tough, that�s when you make the jump from coordinator to manager. I want to get to the point where leadership doesn�t need to get involved at all.�

That mindset � embracing challenge, building trust, and giving credit where it�s due � is what makes �Mo� such a valuable part of the Design Works team.