Were you always fascinated by IT?

At high school, I enjoyed both the humanities and technical subjects. That's why I decided to take my state exams in maths and history. During my final year of studies, I took a class with students who were taking their finals in IT. It was then that I was first introduced to programming and various IT concepts, which immediately fascinated me. Our teacher was pleased that I decided to join and always praised my work. He used me as an example to show other students that a girl can program too. However, one day, he invited me to the cinema, which I politely declined. Since then, his classes have turned into a nightmare for me, and everything I did seemed to be wrong. He even tried to find reasons to prevent me from taking the final state exam altogether.

Did your teacher's behaviour make you lose interest in IT?

I was disappointed by the situation and began to doubt his praise.  As a result, I shifted my focus to humanities. I perfected my writing skills and worked as a journalist for several years. After gaining experience at Czech Television and Czech Radio, I received an offer I couldn't refuse. I became a spokesperson and later the leader of the press section at the Ministry of Labour and Social Affairs. In addition to my other responsibilities, I was in charge of preparing various sources and data for the minister, which required broad knowledge in multiple areas.

Did you feel that the role of a spokesperson was your calling?

For me, the most enjoyable aspect was the technical side. Eventually, I decided to transition into a councillor in the concept analysis department. There, I began processing various types of analyses. While the less complex ones could be handled using Excel, I wanted to expand my knowledge. I became increasingly interested in data analysis and sought help from my younger brother, who is an IT specialist. He provided me with advice and guidance on how to gain a deeper understanding of a programming language.

So, after several years, you took a turn back to the IT.

Precisely. Following data analysis courses, I realised that IT still intrigued me the most. I completed courses in SQL and Python and decided to pursue a career as a developer. I searched for a junior position, knowing that the beginning would be challenging.

Why?

Despite having a portfolio of my work as a developer, I never got a degree in IT, and I was repeatedly turned down by companies due to my lack of experience. However, at Skoda Auto, I felt listened to and I was given a chance to prove myself and pursue my dream job. They recognized my enthusiasm and potential.

How did your former colleagues react to your career change?

My new career path certainly surprised them. When a minister leaves, it is customary for everyone who worked with them in the cabinet to leave as well.  People from the press section cannot go back to media, so they usually transition to PR or marketing. I am probably the only one who completely changed fields. Some of my journalist friends were unaware of my interest in IT. It is surprising for a spokesperson to have such inclinations.

Did you have any specific expectations when joining a Czech car manufacturing company, or was it more of a new challenge?

From the outset, I expressed my desire to work as a developer. However, I was not familiar with the SAP interface and had to study it thoroughly at first. I am delighted to be working here as I have been given ample opportunities to work on projects that interest me. It has been a very quick start. From the beginning of my involvement in the Audi 1Finance project, which manages our client's systems, I was given the opportunity to perform development-oriented tasks, despite not having an IT degree. My colleagues created an environment that allowed me to study and educate myself, and even the developers from other departments are always willing to help when I have questions.

Do you believe that your previous job experience can be useful in your new role?

Yes, especially when communicating with clients, even though now the interactions are in English. As a spokesperson, I had to communicate with both the press, who would request information, and the technical team, who would provide data and sources. This experience taught me to communicate effectively to satisfy everyone involved and to make sure they had patience. I have also learned to see people as unique individuals, approaching each person in a way that suits them best. I now use a similar approach when dealing with clients or users that require assistance. Because I already know some of them, I can make sure that our interactions go as smoothly as possible.

Apart from the work itself, does your approach to work and tasks differ from your previous experiences too?

I used to work almost 24/7 and would process tasks as soon as I received them, always striving for the best performance. I have carried this work ethic over to my new job. However, I am aware of my lack of knowledge compared to my IT-educated colleagues and do not want to simply push work around without contributing meaningfully. I always seek additional activities outside of my client work. One such activity is self-education through various videos and platforms. Additionally, I have joined the Laura 2.0 project, which is a sandbox designed for newbies to try their hand at SAP during IT Camp without the fear of breaking anything. Laura 2.0 is an updated version of the sandbox that has been adjusted to reflect the development of SAP systems.

Does your new career allow for a better work-life balance?

Yes, and I am very happy about it. I can finally design my workdays in a way that works best for me. I'm an early bird, so I prefer to start working at half-past six and finish around three. Now I can fully adjust my workday to my needs. As soon as I close my laptop, my free time begins, and I don't have to worry about a single thing. Something like that was impossible at the ministry, I had to be available 24/7.

Do you feel completely confident in your programming abilities?

Personally, I still have some doubts. While I can handle certain tasks independently, SAP is such a vast system that I encounter new challenges daily. It takes years to fully master. While I understand the programming language and its logic, I lack knowledge of SAP's business side and the specifics of how transactions work. To effectively understand user requests and comprehend the internal logic of the code, I must thoroughly study it. Unlike my more experienced colleagues who can quickly identify the relevant code, I need to break down complex concepts into smaller parts. With increasing hands-on experience, I am gaining a better understanding of nuances that were previously unclear.

An IT specialist should possess the same level of honesty and willingness to admit mistakes as a spokesperson, right?

Definitely. As a journalist, I always made sure to verify my facts and promptly admit to any errors. In public service media, mistakes must be avoided as they can be perceived as intentional and biased. Therefore, any mistakes are dealt with by the editor or superior before the text reaches the viewers or readers.  Similarly, at Skoda Auto, when I encounter difficulties or uncertainties, I seek advice from my colleagues. As long as one is willing to learn and improve, everyone is happy to provide assistance.

Are people you work with important for you?

Personally, I find the team I am working with to be one of the greatest advantages. I often refer to our department as the dream team due to our strong relationships and mutual support.  In some companies that use SAP, senior employees may be hesitant to share knowledge with their junior colleagues. There is no sense of competitiveness or individualism here; instead, we work collaboratively as a team. When faced with a new task, we come together to find a solution.

Would you consider becoming a spokesperson for Skoda Auto, or is this role no longer of interest to you?

Personally, I feel that my time working with the media has come to an end. While I still assist my friends with press releases from time to time, I no longer find PR to be an engaging career.  However, I could see myself tutoring newcomers in the field of IT one day, as this is an area where I could leverage my communication skills.