Meet Paulius Zukas, a Developer in the Automotive industry, whose journey is marked by unexpected turns and relentless passion. What began as a simple internship has blossomed into a thriving career in automotive technology. From his early fascination with cars to his dedication to continuous learning, Paulius's professional path has been shaped by his unwavering curiosity and drive. In this interview, he shares his experiences, the challenges he's faced, and his visions for the future of this dynamic field.
I never anticipated a career in the automotive sector. However, during my Bachelor’s degree studies at Linnaeus University in Växjö, Sweden, a friend encouraged me to apply for an internship at the MINI Plant Oxford. This opportunity marked my initial foray into the automotive industry, and I have been engaged with it ever since. My enthusiasm for cars, fuelled by watching shows like “Top Gear” and later “Grand Tour,” further solidified my interest in this field. Vehicles play a significant role in our lives, and I take great pleasure in contributing to an industry that advances their development.
In general, the skills and qualities necessary for success in the automotive sector are similar to those required in other areas of IT. Good communication, a willingness to learn, and a strong focus are essential for advancing in any career, and this holds true for the automotive industry as well. Personally, I believe that as long as there is something new to learn in a position, one will not get bored. Continuous self-development keeps you engaged and less likely to seek new opportunities elsewhere. The automotive sector is at the forefront of innovative future solutions, and IT, being an ever-evolving field, makes it even more intriguing.
As mentioned earlier, I began my professional career by taking a chance on an internship before completing my degree. This decision proved to be invaluable, as it introduced me to the practical aspects of the industry, beyond the theoretical knowledge provided by the university. Upon returning to my studies, I felt much more confident, which helped me complete my degree successfully. After graduation, I pursued another internship in Germany, which not only enhanced my integration skills but also significantly improved my language proficiency.
These two internships provided a strong foundation that propelled me into a full-time professional role. Through these experiences, I gained insights into software, as well as some knowledge of hardware and firmware. I believe there is always more to learn, which is why my list of Udemy courses remains extensive. Despite completing many courses, the list continues to grow, reflecting my commitment to continuous learning. In my view, every problem has a solution, and those willing to learn and solve problems will advance quickly in their professional careers.
I don't think that what I do to stay informed is in any way unique. For passive information gathering, I subscribe to newsletters from automotive leaders and technology sources, such as "Morning Brew." In my free time, I watch videos from tech analysts on YouTube, which increasingly cover car reviews as the automotive industry becomes more intertwined with technology. Additionally, I make an effort to stay active by attending conferences, hackathons, and similar events to engage in real human interaction.
Through my experience, the automotive sector often appears rigid and sometimes struggles to keep pace with the fast-moving IT industry. It remains heavily reliant on outdated tools and processes and is resistant to change. However, I have observed that with the help of companies like intive they are moving in the right direction, albeit slowly. I recall instances where automotive companies, recognizing that the waterfall approach was not the future, desired to switch to agile methodology. However, instead of making a swift transition, they adopted a hybrid "WAgile" (Waterfall-Agile) approach due to their entrenched practices. This again prevents quick and efficient solutions locking processes in to using outdated tools.
The key lesson here is that delaying necessary changes can lead to larger issues in the future. I hope that automotive companies learn from these experiences and that the future will bring more innovative solutions and better progress.
I anticipate that the automotive industry will increasingly focus on renewable energy and electric vehicles. Some countries, like Norway, have already adopted electric vehicles to such an extent that by the end of 2024, they may surpass the use of petrol vehicles. I can foresee this trend expanding to other countries as well.
Many global companies have shifted to a more service-based business model, and I expect the automotive industry to adopt similar strategies to enhance scalability and performance.
Furthermore, with current advances in AI technology, significant progress towards driverless cars seems likely. Although there are substantial legal hurdles to address, particularly concerning liability when a vehicle is in control, I see the industry moving towards Level 3 autonomy, where drivers can take their hands off the wheel unless the system requests intervention.
What do these developments mean for professionals in the field? I believe they will bring more challenges but will also make daily work more engaging. Innovation and problem-solving are what make our jobs interesting, and witnessing the advancements and emerging ideas today makes me excited for the future.
What makes intive special to me is its start-up attitude. Founded by two OTH Regensburg students who identified a problem and knew how to solve it, intive embodies the idea that anyone with a focused mindset and determination can achieve great things. Despite being a relatively large company now, we maintain a flat hierarchy where everyone is friendly and helpful.
I enjoy the projects we work on, and am happy about numerous employee perks, such as events that facilitate idea exchange and new connections. The flexibility and work-life balance at intive are also significant advantages. Since my parents don't live in Germany, I greatly appreciate the ability to work from abroad without using my holiday days.
Lastly, at intive, I never feel stuck in my career. I can clearly see opportunities for personal development and career advancement through the various courses available to us, regular reviews with my superiors, and constructive feedback.