Lasma (21)
Profession: Import manager in motorcycle service company
Education: Sociology studies in Stradins University of Riga

I was actively participating in different kind of youth projects in Human Rights office in my high school years.

After finishing high school I moved to Riga (capital) and started to study sociology in Stradins University of Riga . Now I am the last year student and at the same time - full time employee in enterprise “Autofavorits”. My job is not related to my studies very much. I am import manager in motorcycle service company. My everyday duties include organising orders and systemising and sending them to suppliers. I am also responsible for making and keeping communications with foreign suppliers, strategic leading as well as providing circulation of information between specialists working in my company and foreign partners.

How did I get this job? I started my career as sales woman in a bag shop. My friend offered me this job and I started working in three days after my interview. But already after half a year I quit this job because I had plans for summer to go to Germany to participate in student exchange program - to improve my German, to work a little bit and for sure to have fun. I honestly told my boss about my plans and I got an offer to accept higher position as import administrator after I return from Germany.

After half a year working in this position my curiosity and ambitions pushed me to apply for the same kind of position in a bigger company with more strict division and wider spectrum of jobs. And for surprise I got this job. I believe that in a successful job interview you have to show more than only your knowledge in specific professional field. You have to understand that employers are looking not only for good specialist but also for a good colleague he or she will have to work with. It is useful to find out before the job interview what kind of person exactly employer would like to see in this position. This includes dressing style, parlance, self-image, etc.

Concerning to my studies! I have understood that today it is more important to use your knowledge practically during your studies in university because you can value your knowledge only if they are used in everyday work. I don’t believe that I will ever work exactly in my speciality but I don’t regret my choice because the studies have improved my personality. The grade you get after university is like demonstration that you have been prepared to materialise your skills. Academic knowledge should be placed into reality and certain situation that’s why you have to be flexible and emphasise skills, which are based on your competence.