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You choose your own destiny
Despite coming from a family of doctors, I realized quite early that I do not have the most important quality of a good doctor – the ability and desire to immerse myself in the problems of healthy and sick people. Exact sciences attracted me much more – physics and mathematics, as well as foreign languages. So, in my dreams, I saw myself as a technical translator, who would combine a passion for technology and an interest in the English language. To implement this plan, I enrolled in language courses at the Faculty of Linguistics of the National Technical University of Ukraine.
Every month I would travel from my small town to Kyiv for classes, and I quickly realized that I wanted to only study here. Especially since my friend who was a year older had already studied at university and lived a bright and dynamic student life. Therefore, I decided to go to math courses, which became a kind of tutoring for me. As a result, even before the final exams at school, I, according to the points scored, already passed the Faculty of Heat and Power Engineering. If I failed the Linguistics exam, the results, which were enough for the heating system, would be automatically annulled.
Therefore, I decided not to risk in vain, especially since after obtaining a bachelor’s degree, there was an opportunity to enter the evening department of linguistics. So, I decided that I wanted to be a heat engineer. As a result, I graduated with a medal from school, already actually having a student ticket in my pocket.
I am very grateful to my parents, who did not put any pressure on me, but said to me: “You choose your destiny by yourself!” I had to make an important decision on my own about choosing a future profession and rely only on my strengths and abilities. After all, behind me, I did not have a “golden parachute” from my parents, who would pay for my journey of searching for myself. Everything was in my hands.
A promising path in energy
Of course, at that time I did not yet understand what profession I was choosing. And even came up with a joke that in the future I will be the boiler house director. However, it quickly became clear that this was a very promising business direction because it included alternative energy sources, for which there was a great future. Therefore, during the entire period of study and then work, I was never disappointed in my choice. I was not embarrassed by the fact that I found myself in one of the most “male” faculties of the university. Not to mention, of the five floors of our dormitory, only one was occupied by girls.
More opportunities for professional growth and career promotion
I wanted to build a career in an international company, where my knowledge of English would be needed. In addition, there was a clear understanding that a large corporation has more opportunities for professional growth and career-building than any domestic company. I was happy when I had the opportunity to start working at Schneider Electric as a marketing assistant where I had worked for two years. And when the company announced a new position of product manager for cable laying and cable organization, I eagerly applied. To do this, in just a month I studied all the available information and catalogs. Unfortunately, this position was given to an external candidate. The situation upset me to tears because morally I was not ready to lose – I spent so much energy and emotions to prepare for it. But then three weeks later, the position of product manager for electrical systems (sockets, switches, etc.) became vacant in the same department, and I was offered it without competition. The paradox is that over time, these two areas have been combined into one product offering. My former competitor left and I was offered the position I had dreamed of from the beginning.
Today I can say with confidence that my work at Schneider Electric is a great success both in terms of improving professional skills and knowledge, and belonging to unique corporate culture.
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