From Diverse Experiences to IT Success: Katka Olejová's Journey at EmbedIT

Katka Olejová, an IT Service Desk Operator in Brno, whose journey exemplifies the possibilities within our company. At just 24, Katka has achieved more than many do in a lifetime. From event management and financial advisory to marketing, she has built a robust professional portfolio. But her journey didn’t stop there. Katka embraced motherhood and successfully transitioned into a career in IT, all within a year at EmbedIT. Join us as we dive into her remarkable story, exploring how she balances her career and family life, and the supportive environment that has enabled her to thrive at EmbedIT.

Katka, you just celebrated your 1-year anniversary at EmbedIT. How would you summarize your year at EmbedIT?

I would summarize it like my first year at school. As a complete IT novice, people told me what to expect, but I didn't know what it would be like, how I would do, if I would learn everything, if I would fail, or if I would flunk out. In short, at the beginning, it was a big unknown, and I was scared. However, over the course of the year, thanks to my colleagues, I managed to catch up with the pace, and now I believe I'm keeping up with them, though there's still a lot to learn. It has been quite a ride!

As you have working experience and knowledge in several areas, how did it happen that you ended up in IT?

As a former Economics student, I calculated that it would be worth it. In my previous jobs, I spent all my time working, lost the desire to do anything extra, and the salary and benefits were nothing special. I was lucky to make a few close friends directly from EIT, whose stories were similar before they started at EIT. I began to envy them for their better salaries, benefits, and the amazing prospects of the entire IT industry. For example, my partner was a warehouse worker, and he managed to break into IT, significantly improving his quality of life.

What attracted me was that in IT, you can't end up in the same position for 30 years, doing the same thing. It is the most dynamic industry I know; it is constantly expanding. A person in IT won't be short of work, won't have a poorly paid job, and can develop their skills with support from everyone around them. And I have to say, so far, everything mentioned above applies.

You are a working mom. How do you manage to combine work and caring for a baby? How does EmbedIT help?

Well, it is challenging, and I couldn't handle it alone. I'm lucky that both my partner and I work from home, so we can take turns caring for our one-and-a-half-year-old son. I am also grateful to my two supervisors, whose tolerant approach allows me to work from home. Thanks to them, I have never had to choose between my child and work. Even though I usually go to the office once a week, it's simply to spend time with my colleagues and chit-chat a little.

Tell us more about your work. What does your typical day look like?

I work at the Service Desk, which is an ideal entry-level position and incubator in IT for someone with little or no IT experience but a strong eagerness to learn. We work in shifts to provide 24/7 coverage, with 12-hour day and night shifts. It may sound daunting, but paradoxically, you have more free time. For example, after four days of work (2 days and 2 nights), I have five valuable days off. On a day shift, we start at 6 AM by checking Teams and email to catch up on the news from the previous days and nights. We always need to stay informed.

Our main activity is to serve our customers and colleagues as the first point of contact whenever they need something or if something goes wrong in the business. Our key strengths are communication and speed. Our main tool is Jira, where we handle multiple requests and issues that we either resolve ourselves or hand over to the EIT technical teams. Some days are calmer, while others can be quite demanding.

What do you value the most from what you have learned in this role and at EmbedIT?

I would generally say that I am grateful for the opportunity. I appreciate that I didn't need an IT education to work here and even advance. Besides the helpful colleagues, we have the opportunity to enroll in educational courses that have broadened my horizons. I value the communication, speed, and flexibility at EIT, as every request—whether it's for courses, technical equipment, or personal needs—is met without any issues. I also love our teambuilding events, offsites, and Christmas parties; they are always well-prepared and we have a lot of fun.

Do you remember your first day at EmbedIT? Anything in particular stands out in your memory?

In the morning, I arrived at our Brno offices. They are part of a business park with a romantic pond and a view of the Brno city center, where it is always windy. At HR, we took care of the paperwork, and then I was given a tour of all parts of our offices. I received technical equipment and joined the current SD shift, where I got a practical introduction to what SD does (I have to admit, it scared me a bit). Coincidentally, there was a company event for Children's Day that day, so I participated, and it was great.