Szymon Krysiński

Curiosity about the world, openness to new challenges, and the ability to thrive in a dynamic environment – these are just some of the qualities that perfectly describe Szymon Krysiński. Although he works in the travel department on a daily basis, he’s not afraid to think outside the box and willingly takes on tasks beyond his main responsibilities. Enjoy the interview!

You work in the travel department – what does your job look like, and what are the biggest challenges you face?

Working in the travel department means being in a constantly changing and dynamic work environment. Organizing transportation logistics, booking accommodations, being in touch with property owners and project departments – all of this ensures that Eryk’s employees can reach their accommodations, project sites, and modes of transport at the right time and place without any obstacles. The biggest challenges I face in logistics are the need to adapt and respond calmly to constant changes.

In our line of duty, I’m aware that nothing I, my colleagues, or even our customers plan is ever 100% guaranteed to go as intended, at least not in its original form. Many things are often beyond our control. However, such situations can lead to changes that require a new approach to logistics. From changing accommodations, switching modes of transportation, to attempting to recover funds spent during the process.

Still, that’s my job – I need to be ready for such situations at any time. In those moments, I remind myself: “We can only be certain of the future once it becomes the past.” And in the end, it’s exactly these kinds of situations that create what I like most about my work: diversity, no monotony, and constantly new tasks.

You’re our office “chameleon” –  how did it happen that you ended up going on a project as a technician? 

My colleagues from the project department offered me the opportunity to go on-site. Thanks to my familiarity with our operations and projects, I was able to support the customer on-site and help keep the project moving without delays.

 

Are there any other roles where you think you’d thrive? I know you’ve tried lead generation for the sales department – is that something you could see yourself?

I think I would do very well in a “hybrid” position that combines my travel duties with additional tasks, such as researching potential new clients or occasionally going out on projects.
I really value task variety, and I see these kinds of experiences as a valuable change of pace. Especially since I’m personally interested in areas like modern technology, automation, and energy – which form a solid foundation for these types of tasks. It means I enjoy doing them, not just because I have to.

Although, I don’t see these kinds of “adventures” as a full-time job. The travel department and the people I work with already provide everything I expect from my position on a daily basis.

Have these extra experiences taught you something new or influenced how you approach your daily work?

Above all, they broadened my horizons. Now, at almost 24 years old, my childlike curiosity about the world around me hasn’t faded one bit. That’s why project trips or collaborating with different departments give me exactly what I crave most – they satisfy my curiosity.

It’s great to see a small slice of another reality – what it’s like to work as a technician on-site or how customer research is done. Even though I’m still a beginner in these areas, they’ve taught me respect and understanding for others’ work. Often in conversations, we struggle to understand the other side – not because we don’t want to, but because we’ve never had the chance to see things from their perspective.

Where do you find the motivation to take on such a wide range of tasks?

I don’t. The thing is, if something sparks my curiosity, I just go for it. If I’m interested in renewable energy, I’ll look for a source that satisfies that curiosity – like a book. The same goes for learning a new language: if I’m curious about it and want to learn it, I don’t look for motivation – I look for a good teacher.

The lead generation example is a perfect illustration. I was always curious about what our technicians actually do on projects. What do our customers do? In my free time, I’d often browse their websites to learn more about operations. Helping out the sales department came mostly from that curiosity – wanting to understand what work on projects looks like and what goes into the technical side of our installations.

What gives you the most satisfaction in your work in the travel department?

Knowing that our technicians completed a project using the accommodation and transport I organized for them. The thought that a few clicks in a sleek, modern office in downtown Szczecin can get someone – or even a group of people – to the other side of the world, without me ever physically being there, fascinates and deeply satisfies me.
It might seem trivial in today’s tech-driven world, but it brings me joy. Especially when I hear positive feedback about the comfort of the accommodations or the journey from people who, thanks to my work – and the work of all my colleagues – made it to that far-off location.

How do you take care of your work-life balance? Any hobbies? What do you do in your free time? 😊

In my free time, I read a lot of popular science books on various topics, work out, and learn new languages. Like I mentioned earlier, I’m interested in many different things.

I read books and listen to podcasts on everything from modern energy, nutrition, biology, sociology, and geopolitics to physics. As for physical activity, it helps me keep my still-young body in good shape – mostly through strength training, swimming, and seasonal mountain climbing.

When it comes to work-life balance, I’m very grateful to the company for creating excellent conditions for my personal development, a friendly work environment filled with amazing people, and support in my professional growth. I don’t think I’d be able to speak positively about my work-life balance if I didn’t enjoy my job and the people I work with – because closing the office door would still leave me with a lingering sense of stress if I didn’t.