#myStart@Axpo – Meet Przemek

Przemysław Dudek – SME Senior Analyst in Axpo Polska

Przemysław Dudek joined Axpo Poland in October 2020 as an intern in the SME analytics department. Over the past years, he has been developing in data analytics, eventually taking the position of SME Senior Analyst. Daily, he is responsible for analytics and reporting in the SME (Small & Medium Enterprises) department. Privately a fan of board games, fantasy, and cooking.

How did your story at Axpo begin?

I found a job offer at Axpo at the beginning of my senior year of my studies. I wanted to gain work experience in a permanent job – I had previously been a casual worker – and make a smooth entry into the permanent job market. It was a rather peculiar period: the second wave of coronavirus infections was coming, the daily number of cases was increasing exponentially, sanitary restrictions were returning, and much of the activity, such as college classes, industry and scientific conferences and recruitment, was taking place via video conferencing. At the time, I found a job advertisement on LinkedIn, proceeded with the recruitment process, and then joined Axpo's SME department as an analyst intern.

Why was it at Axpo that you decided to start your career?

The company seemed attractive to me for several reasons: the position coincided with my field of study, besides, the description of the tasks performed interested me, as did the industry. I was also attracted by the fact that Axpo is an international organization, which for me implies stability and prospects for growth. Another incentive was the positive opinion of a friend who was already working at Axpo at the time.

What memories do you have of your first months in your new job?

The first few months passed mainly on learning. The structure of the organization, the functioning scheme of the department and my team, industry knowledge, databases and the relationship between them, the tools and scripts used... Such a large amount of information cannot be learned quickly, but that is not the point. The main thing was to look for answers to the questions I had and gradually deepen my knowledge, so I was able to do more and more things on my own and in a much shorter time. Processes in the company ceased to be incomprehensible, mysterious activities and began to arrange themselves into a sequence of specific schemes and procedures.

The biggest difficulty for me was working basically exclusively remotely, which meant that contact with others was only through instant messaging. At the very beginning of the job, when you don't yet know your co-workers, this can be a bit of a hindrance. However, as time passed, you got to know people better and better, and the epidemiological situation began to improve, so the problem disappeared. I have very fond memories of e-commerce support tasks from this period, where in a group of five people we saw firsthand the challenges behind selling electricity and gas over the Internet.
 

A few months after you started working at Axpo, there were some changes in the department you were part of. What did that mean for you?

That's right, in March 2021 we had a small reorganization and SME Analytics became part of a new unit: Business Development. There were more and more issues related to monitoring more business elements. As the department's name implies, the purpose of such analysis is to develop the business – just knowing the current state, for example, by creating an interactive online report downloading daily up-to-date data, is only the beginning. Essentially, two questions need to be answered: are there irregularities, and if so, how can they be identified and eliminated? How can the score of the designated indicator be improved? I admit that some projects have been and still can be demanding and time-consuming, but the satisfaction of discovering and eliminating a problem or developing a solution that realistically improves the business more than rewards the effort expended. Moreover, each such study is an opportunity to develop your technical skills and knowledge of the industry and organization. It is also an opportunity to demonstrate and propose an innovative solution. In turn, from the organization's perspective, more and more elements have started to be constantly monitored and under control, which, with such dynamically changing market conditions, makes it possible to detect both threats and emerging opportunities.

I currently lead a team of analysts at SME – we are a group of three. Together we make sure that we provide comprehensive high-level reporting and actively participate in business development by providing data and performing analysis.

Przemek, you have already been at Axpo for two and a half years. Tell us, what do you value most about working here?

I would primarily mention two things: the friendly atmosphere in the organization and the appreciation of the work being done. In the office I meet people who are good to work with, you can talk freely and joke, plus I feel like a needed person who is in the right place. I am glad that this is where I started my professional path.

Speaking of starting a career: what do you think Axpo can offer to all those who are just entering the job market?

First, the friendly atmosphere in the organization will certainly help you take the first steps on your professional path when everything is new. Second, the industry itself and the organization offer interesting positions in a business that is promising and will continue to grow. Moreover, Axpo provides opportunities for promotion and movements within the organization, so you can grow and have a chance to try something different. For me, an enticing offer – I made up my mind myself and I don't regret it.

Do you have any advice for people who are taking their first steps on the professional path?

Keep learning all the time and don't be afraid of new challenges. Often, especially at the beginning, many things will not work out, but that is what the process of gaining experience is all about. Over time, one will gain the necessary knowledge and skills, as well as self-confidence. On top of that, it is worth remembering that the world is evolving all the time – lack of development is actually regression.