Last year as part of our marketing theme 2020, The Year of The Designer, we interviewed structural engineers of our own, who are working at Peikko units all over the world. The Designers are still in focus for us in 2021.
This time we introduce Undine Vitola from Peikko Latvia's Wind team.
Why have you chosen to study civil engineering?
Since childhood, I have liked more cars and constructors than dolls. I would say that this is the way how I express myself. My dad also is an engineer more related to the inspection of buildings. Since my teenage years, he took me with him and asked, "What do you see?" pointing at ceiling cracks or soaked foundations. Then came a period in my life when I did an exciting but technically challenging sport called skeleton- my goal was to achieve more and more. So, I think my choice is more related to the lifestyle and the direction where life has brought me.
When did you start in Peikko, and what is your job in Peikko about?
I started to work in Peikko in May 2018 as a rock foundation designer. I was doing calculations and passing verifications by different third-party verifier companies like DNV GL, Sweco, Ramboll, Fröhling & Rathjen, EFLA. I have always liked to hear comments on how to improve, optimize the designs. Lately, at the beginning of this year, I joined to wind sales team as a part of technical support for our salespeople all around the world. Cooperating with them, I feel like I am traveling all around the planet. Each challenge has two components- stress and satisfaction.
What do you like most about your job?
The first project was like adrenaline - so many things to learn, understand, and then the verification process. I enjoy a lot cooperating with proactive people - always something new for me as well. Since I am in Peikko, each day has been full of surprises, meaning that not always life is fun, but receiving greetings from satisfied clients and good remarks of possible cooperation in the future makes me smile and forget all not the brightest sides.
What projects that you did in Peikko are you most proud of?
Peikko is now actively improving and expanding in the wind business all over the world. We are very proud as a company and individuals that cooperation in the hybrid tower field is developing so far very good. We have made a successful certification process in excellent collaboration with German company Max Bögl and third-party certifier company TÜV SÜD. In my opinion, if the company is improving and expanding successfully, this is good enough to be proud that my hard work has reached its goal.
What is the strangest/craziest thing you have had in your work or were asked by a customer?
So far, I haven't experienced such situations, what I could classify as strange or crazy. All clients and cooperative partners have been very reasonable and without any strange or crazy wishes. At least I would like to receive an invitation to see the erected towers from the top of those, but no such invitation so far…
What are your biggest interests outside working life?
As I said before, I used to do professional sport (as a fact I am Latvian, but due to some certain obstacles I was representing Azerbaijan for the last years in my career), I like to be active. If I have a choice to walk or use a car, I will always take a walk. I enjoy nature very much, especially long walks along the seaside. I have a son who will soon be four years old. He likes to be very active, as well. We are traveling together when it is possible, but not at these Covid-19 times.
You can read more employee stories at News & Stories
If you are Designer, check our softwares, tools and document which we have created for helping your work with Peikko’s solutions: Peikko for Designers