I must admit that a woman in this position is rare. Hence the question: where did the idea to tie your future with automation come from?
Since I was a child, I have been curious about how things work. My parents really supported me in discovering the world and developing this curiosity, so I often helped my dad with various works and DIY projects. When the time came to choose my further educational path, I already knew that I wanted to pursue a technical career. First, I graduated from a mechatronics technical school, then I started working at JTI and at the same time I started studying Automation and Robotics. I decided to connect my future with automation because I see it as a stable and at the same time very interesting professional path. This is a field that poses many challenges, requires constant development and searching for new solutions, but also gives great satisfaction with the results of work.
During your studies, what most confirmed your belief that this was the right career path?
When processes and phenomena that previously seemed mysterious and difficult to understand began to gradually become clear. It was and still is very satisfying to see how theoretical knowledge allows us to discover and put in order what was previously a mystery.
Did you have a clearly defined professional goal from the beginning, or did your plans develop gradually with subsequent experiences?
My career plans began to take shape quite clearly when I was in technical school. When JTI representatives visited my school for the first time and conducted a meeting on preparing for a job interview and creating a good CV, I thought that this was the company I would like to start my professional path. I really liked the fact that the company meets the needs of young, often inexperienced students, giving them a chance to gain their first professional experience.
Do you remember your first day at JTI? How did your career at JTI start?
Even before I received my high school leaving exam results, in July 2016 I started an internship in the maintenance department. I remember my first day when everything was completely new – devices, procedures, people. After three months of internship, I received the position of Automation and Electronics Specialist. During all this time, there has never been a routine – the company is changing dynamically, and each day brought new tasks and opportunities. After a break due to parenthood, I returned to work. Coming back gave me a fresh perspective and another chance to face new challenges.
An automation engineer in a manufacturing company is often a “silent hero” – everyone notices his importance only when something stops working. What gives you the greatest satisfaction in this role?
The greatest satisfaction for me comes from the moment when, after removing the failure and starting the machine, I can breathe a sigh of relief and be happy that my and my team’s hard work has brought the expected result. Although it does not end at this point – after a failure, we always draw conclusions and take actions to prevent similar problems in the future.
Which projects or professional experiences had the greatest impact on your development?
It was a several-month delegation to Belgium related to the relocation of machines. This not only allowed me to gain valuable experience working in an international environment, but also significantly improved my English.
What competencies – technical and interpersonal – do you consider to be crucial in the work of an automation engineer? How do you assess the importance of diversity in technical teams?
From a technical point of view, the most important thing is logical thinking and the ability to connect facts – a machine is only as “smart” as a human teaches it. We must be able to draw conclusions from experience, analyze data and predict factors that may affect the smoothness of processes when implementing improvements. Diversity in technical teams is equally important. In the automation environment, each of us, despite extensive knowledge, has our own preferences and specializations. By having a diversity of viewpoints, brainstorming becomes much more fruitful than when everyone thinks the same way.
Do you feel that your story can be an inspiration for other women?
If someone feels motivated or motivated by my story, I will be very pleased. My advice to young women who are just starting their adventure with automation is simple: believe in yourself and your skills. There are no stupid questions – it is often curiosity that allows you to find the most important answers. And don’t be afraid to take risks – in the worst case scenario, the machine won’t work and we’ll still have to repair it, but it will take a little more time. The worst thing is to just throw up your hands and say it’s impossible – because with the right approach and determination, you can almost always find a solution.
So what? Finally, all I can do is wish you all the best for Automation Day…
Thank you very much.
