"Everyone is born with some skills, you just have to discover and develop them. If you stop developing and try to live each day without trying to improve yourself, you will never be successful, you will just exist."

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

My whole time at university was the best memory for me because, unlike during my school years, I was able to develop my interests, gain knowledge and experience while having fun with great friends. Moreover, thanks to several subjects I finally understood that the school technique of ‘study, pass, forget’ was of no use to me. If I don’t think, I’ll never get anywhere in life. These five years have been a long lesson in learning to think for yourself, in forming your own opinion, and in realizing that you can’t get anything without hard work.

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

I started my first job in June 2015 at the District and City Public Library in Miechów, my home town. In this library I previously did my student internship. I worked in the Children and Young People's Department, conducted classes with children, and we cooperated with local kindergartens and schools at that time. But I never got used to working directly with library users. Maybe because of my personality, or maybe because I didn't see an opportunity for self-development. I started my current job at the Cracow University of Technology Library (CUTL) in 2017 with the European Technical Heritage project. Our library was tasked with digitising many old books, mainly of a technical nature. This gave me the opportunity to participate in the process of transitioning a book from traditional to electronic version. During my studies I was a volunteer in the Provincial Public Library of Cracow and the Jagiellonian Digital Library, my experience from the latter institution was also the reason for my acceptance into the CUTL. After the project ended, I stayed permanently in the Information Technology Department, where we continue to digitise books. Currently, these are textbooks for students of the Cracow University of Technology.

How has education contributed to your career development?

I graduated in Scientific Information and Library Science with a specialisation in Digital Resources. As far as my first job is concerned, I found the general knowledge from my studies useful. But at CUTL, my specialisation was crucial, because I was hired to digitise books and periodicals. As I already mentioned, I was a volunteer at the Public Library in Cracow for about eight months, and for four months at the Jagiellonian Digital Library. It was at JDL that I gained the most skills related to my specialisation, I learned a lot with the help of the staff, even though I only worked for a few months.

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

My work involves scanning and digital processing of old books, journals and PhD theses, which are then placed in the Repository of the Cracow University of Technology Library. My job is interesting in that we’re constantly learning new software. We have access to really fantastic collections which we can make available to users. Pandemic times have also forced our library to digitise textbooks for students, so that they can use the materials without having to leave their homes. In hindsight, this is the part of a librarian’s job that has a future. New technologies are forcing faster and more convenient access to collections, often without leaving home and on any electronic medium. It also helps to present the heritage of past generations without the risk of destruction or theft of works.

What are your biggest challenges now?

An Open Access team has been established in our library. I am also involved in this initiative, mainly dealing with copyright and licensing issues. It is a big challenge, but also a chance to develop my knowledge and skills in this area. For me every new venture in the library is both a challenge and an opportunity to gain experience. Moreover, I am taking a sign language course organised by the Cracow University of Technology, which helps me to understand people with disabilities and also to learn how to communicate with them.

What is life and work like where you live?

I live in a town about 50 kilometres from Cracow, and I commute to work every day by train. Working away from home can be a bit tiresome, especially as we take into account different weather conditions and random events. However, the distance is not a problem for me or my supervisors. I treat my hometown more as a place of rest from work, with cleaner air and lots of greenery. However, it seems to me that big cities have more to offer young people in terms of income and leisure activities. Besides, my closest friends work in and around Cracow, and work helps me to keep in touch with them regularly.

What is your definition of success?

Everyone is born with some skills, you just have to discover and develop them. If you stop developing and try to live each day without trying to improve yourself, you will never be successful, you will just exist. Maybe your work will never get a Nobel Prize, but that doesn't mean you should watch your life go by and let it slip through your fingers.

What tips do you have for students who are entering the job market?

Gain experience – sign up for volunteering, internships, training, courses, create interest circles, blogs, vlogs – whatever. Practical skills are very valuable, you also gain a network of contacts, potential employers can see what kind of person you are. I know from my experience that despite my very introverted nature, I had to do something. In my last year of university, I joined a group of students who were social media enthusiasts. At that time SM was in its heyday, lots of websites were created and companies and people were trying hard to reach as many people as possible. Even though my knowledge was quite narrow at that time, I learned a lot of important things. And that was also from people who were younger than me.

How do you envision the Jagiellonian University's collaboration with graduates?

Students do not always know how to start their careers, they do not always know how to look for a job or how to present their skills and knowledge. Graduates can share their experience with younger colleagues who are making their debut on the job market. Stereotypically less popular degree subjects can be more attractive thanks to such cooperation. The Jagiellonian University helps to promote these activities for the benefit of its students, graduates and employers, who can hire people who are more knowledgeable but not always experienced. Besides, sharing experience is also interesting and developing for graduates.