“I participate in fascinating projects that actually bring change to customers’ lives – this combines my passions as a designer and a manager of change. The process of change is something we all face every day. Interdisciplinary knowledge and systemic thinking are important when you create a service designed to eliminate or alleviate resistance, fear and doubt about the new. It is something that a person gains, learns and practices all the time.(...)”

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

Definitely, daily activities on the Campus and hours spent in the library preparing for joint projects.

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

I started working in the first year of my studies, in the second term. I was looking for inspiration and practice. The most important turning point was the lecture by Dr. Kreft, who told us about the strength and potential of social channels in marketing. I worked in several agencies for a year, including one of the biggest social listening tools – Brand24. All the time, however, I was looking for a place where I would have contact with other people, the opportunity to share my knowledge. At the end of my second year of studies, I got a job at a Cracow-based consulting company, Socjomania, where I have been working until today (this is my 5th complete year).

How has your education contributed to your career development?

I treat my studies as inspiration to further expand my knowledge. Lectures, workshops and classes often left me unsatisfied – I wanted to learn more, research. Practical projects, the ones that tested your skills in project management, the ability to create from scratch – these were probably the most powerful drivers of my further career development.

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

I am a Service Design Lead, combining the skills of a process and service designer with those of a manager and consultant. For 5 years I have been conducting trainings, workshops and classes – I have over 1000 hours of workshops under my belt with fantastic clients and companies. I organize audits of communication, trends and customer services, as well as communication strategies. Based on my accumulated experience in consulting and strategic projects, I am able to provide clients with comprehensive support in the field of creating new communication, product and process solutions. I have extensive experience in consulting for clients from the publishing, education, FMCG, and fashion & beauty industries. I have been involved in strategic, communication, consulting and training projects for brands such as: PKO BP, DHL, EY, HPE, Orange, TESCO, Znak Publishing House, Nowa Era Publishing House, WSB, University of Warsaw, Gerda, Obsessive, Oriflame or Kupiec. I also have the pleasure to teach at universities – both MA and postgraduate courses at the University of Social Sciences and Humanities in Warsaw, the Jagiellonian University in Cracow, the University of Science and Technology in Cracow, the Higher School of Economics in Cracow and Collegium Da Vinci in Poznań. I am a founding member of the Service Design Poland association.

What are your biggest challenges right now?

Creating change processes for customers – I participate in fascinating projects that actually bring change to customers’ lives – this combines my passions as a designer and a manager of change. The process of change is something we all face every day. Interdisciplinary knowledge and systemic thinking are important when you create a service designed to eliminate or alleviate resistance, fear and doubt about the new. It is something that a person gains, learns and practices all the time. In recent months, my challenges have changed – I no longer have to get up a few times a week at 4:00 and rush for the train to Warsaw, where I conducted trainings, workshops or events for clients. Instead, I spend a lot more time in e-meetings, helping clients move through the change with them and guiding them in learning about new tools, new styles of work, and new communication.

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

I have stayed in Cracow, the city where I started my studies. This city inspires me and calms me down when I need to. I work right next to the Main Square, although I rarely go there. I love traveling and learning about the world, although I always miss Cracow.

What is your definition of success?

Chasing yourself and fulfilling your ambitions. I think that a successful person is a person who sets goals all the time, has a lot to do and never becomes complacent.

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

Experiment and test. It is worth testing what we like, what we would like to do. It’s best to write down your strengths and what we like doing. I have combined my love of speaking, making presentations and creating new technologies into a job that is tailored to me 😊 And I can say with satisfaction that I like what I do 😊

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

I work as a lecturer at the Jagiellonian University and I rarely see networking in action. In my opinion, it would be important to create a real community – a (virtual and physical) space where we can identify with others.