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This blog post is an interview with a former coworker, Maria B., based on the key term SUCCESS. We worked together in the supply chain department at a manufacturing company in the semiconductor industry in Villach, Austria.

J: HI MARIA, THANK YOU FOR YOUR TIME AND INTEREST IN MY PROJECT. LET’S START WITH THE FIRST QUESTION. WHAT DO YOU DO FOR A LIVING?

M: I’ve been working for a trading company that operates in the market of mineral resources for a few months. My position is called Supply Chain Management Specialist. My responsibilities include operative and strategic procurement, as well as logistics.

J: HAVE YOU STUDIED AT ANY UNIVERSITY, AND IF YES, AT WHICH ONE AND IN WHICH PROGRAM?

M: After my graduation from high school I enrolled for an Enterprise Management Program (Specialist degree) at Irkutsk State University, Russia. During the second year of studying I decided to join one more program. That was a Bachelor of Business Administration Program at the University of Southern Queensland, Australia. To make it possible to combine both studies, I opted for a distance study at the second university. After my graduation from those two universities and couple of years of work experience, I proceeded with a master program. It was International Business Management at Carinthia University of Applied Sciences.

J: YOU MANAGED TO DO TWO UNIVERSITY PROGRAMS AT THE SAME TIME, WOW! HOW DO YOU DEFINE SUCCESS?

M: Success is an ability to reach the goals that a person sets for him/herself. It is about being in harmony with yourself. Culture, education, society and many other factors have a huge impact on our goals and the way we determine success. Some of us are practicing all days and nights long to win the Olympic Games, others are investing all their time and money into studies at various universities. For me success in broad terms is a good education, an interesting and well-paid job and a happy family.

J: WHAT MOTIVATES YOU? WHO IS YOUR ROLE MODEL?

M: My mom has always been a role model for me. During „The crazy 90s“ in Russia just the strongest people could survive. You had to be extremely diligent in reaching your goals and emotionally strong in order not to be broken by the chaos existing during that time. Whenever plan A wouldn’t work, my mom would go for plan B, C, D, and so on till Z. And in case Z wouldn’t work, she would try plan AB. She would never stop following her dreams. The emotional part is very important on that way. You can be sad and cry when you are down, but just for a few minutes, not more. Then it is time to start your journey once again, concentrated and motivated. The goal you set for yourself is the main motivator. That is why it is very important to be honest with yourself in identifying the true values, wishes, and the comfort zone.

J: WHAT ARE YOUR KEY STRENGTHS AND WEAKNESSES?

M: I believe that one of my biggest strengths is that I know my weaknesses. Knowing them is the first step on the way to defeat them or use them in your favor. For instance, I am a shopaholic. But I am happy to be one as it helps me in my work. I am a supply chain manager and before I was a buyer. Looking for the best match of quality and price, ensuring on-time deliveries, working with customs are the things that I truly enjoy. Stay honest with yourself and set the goals accordingly. Know your weaknesses. Think how you can turn them into the strength. Be passionate and diligent in what you are doing and never give up. Success is not outside, it is inside you.

J: WISE WORDS FROM A WISE WOMAN. THANK YOU ONCE AGAIN FOR YOUR TIME AND THE OPEN AND HONEST COMMUNICATION. I APPRECIATE YOUR DETAILED AND PASSIONATE RESPONSE TO EACH QUESTION.