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Alumni Stories: Wojciech Stromczyński

Alumni Stories: Wojciech Stromczyński

“Valuable experience can be gained anywhere. This is worth keeping in mind and much better than looking for that one job which we think would be perfect for us. The sum of the experience gained with time begins to pay off and then it is easier to find meaning and professional fulfilment. So you can achieve a lot of good with patience, consistency and commitment. One of the people I met on my career path liked to say “do your job and the reward will not pass you. (...)”

Name and surname: Wojciech Stromczyński

Place of residence: Rzeszów, Poland

Position: Vice-Chair of the Management Board, Director of Legal Services, Legal Advisor

Degree subject: Law


What is your best memory of studying at the Jagiellonian University?

A trip to a scientific conference organized by the University of Vilnius during the fourth year, chaired by professor Andrzej Świątkowski. I will always cherish the warm atmosphere during the trip and the pragmatic approach of the Jagiellonian University teaching staff to our ideas for how to approach questions in European labour law.

How did your career start? What were the turning points?

I can safely say my career seriously started with my training period at the law courts of Cracow in the third year of my college. This was the first time my theoretical education came up against reality. Then came the preliminary exam for admission to bar training, which I happily passed, followed by the bar training itself which I completed at the District Chamber of Legal Advisors in Rzeszów where I was supervised by a lawyer with over 50 years’ experience. I was lucky to get tips on how to handle myself in the difficult legal profession from a man who devoted his entire professional life to the mission of the Polish bar. Another important step was to start working in the Polish aviation industry, dating back to the pre-WW2 Central Industrial District. This work, and especially my contact with people who have aviation “running in their blood” allowed me to look at the role of a lawyer from a completely different perspective.

How has your education contributed to your career development?

The aviation and military industry in which I work is characterized by a high degree of formalism. Numerous licenses are required for export and military production and there is 24/7 supervision by supervisory authorities such as ULC, EASA or FAA. In such a highly regulated business environment, my legal education allowed me to understand the applicable requirements fairly quickly, as well as to support the business by effectively navigating through the maze of complicated regulations.

Tell us about your current job. What are you doing now?

I am responsible for coordinating legal support for the Polish branch of the American corporation Lockheed Martin Corporation. My company is the OEM (original equipment manufacturer) of the M28 aircraft and the S70i Black Hawk helicopter. It is safe to say that PZL Mielec is both the cradle and the proud continuator of Polish aviation production. As part of my work, I support all activities related to the company's operations, including sales campaigns carried out in the domestic and foreign arenas. My team is responsible for contracting (negotiating and concluding contracts), ad hoc legal support (including litigation management), export control (checking the necessary export licenses, including US ITAR and EAR licenses), protection of classified information, ethics and compliance.

What are your biggest challenges right now?

Rapid response to the changing business environment, both domestic and international. Due to such phenomena as the COVID-19 pandemic, interruptions in the supply chain, trade restrictions related to, for example, “trade wars”, it is extremely difficult to adequately support business from the legal side. The analysis of all possible risks must be carried out on a continuous basis, so that, it is possible to conduct business operation with appropriate protection of important areas, in a safe manner and in accordance with the relevant legal regulations.

What is life and work like in the city/country where you live?

The Podkarpacie region is strongly associated with aviation. It is home to the largest industry association in this part of Europe called “Aviation Valley”, associating the most important aviation manufacturers. Rzeszów, where I live, is constantly changing. Over the last 10 years, the city has undergone a real transformation. It is consistently leading in all rankings where residents rate their quality of life. Rzeszów is characterized by a large inflow of young people, which has a positive effect on its development. New housing estates, roads and public utility buildings are emerging. The city is well connected thanks to access to the A4 motorway or the Rzeszów-Jasionka International Airport. The advantage of this place is also the close location of the Bieszczady Mountains, which are famous for their beautiful meadows. Generally, the slogan promoting the Podkarpackie Province is “open space”. In my opinion, this slogan is true in every sense.

What is your definition of success?

For me, success is daily, responsible work towards an ambitious goal. It is a sense of fulfilment and self-actualization.

What advice/guidance do you have for current students who are just entering the job market?

Valuable experience can be gained anywhere. This is worth keeping in mind and much better than looking for that one job which we think would be perfect for us. The sum of the experience gained with time begins to pay off and then it is easier to find meaning and professional fulfilment. So you can achieve a lot of good with patience, consistency and commitment. One of the people I met on my career path liked to say “do your job and the reward will not pass you.

How do you imagine the cooperation between the Jagiellonian University and its graduates?

The Alumni Stories initiative is one of the good examples of this collaboration. In my opinion, graduates should meet with students more often and share their advice/observations. It would a good idea to consider such forms of cooperation and to promote them better. Graduates are the “hidden” resource of the university. Students and graduates should know that they can always count on each other.

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