Gediminas Jotauta received a call from a Lithuania natural gas company that was expanding and six years later he still loves his job.
Aš gavau darbą Lietuvis randa mėgstamą darbą
Gediminas Jotauta’s future changed quickly one day six years ago when he was at university studying chemical engineering.
“I remember getting a call about a new project that was very fresh,” says Gediminas, 30. “They were recruiting a new team and it sounded interesting and challenging – a completely new field, new responsibilities and a higher purpose.”
The fun side of Lithuania natural gas
The call was from Klaipedos Nafta, which operates an oil and gas terminal in Klaipeda. After a couple years as an engineer with the company, Gediminas became technical operations manager and recently moved to business development. He hasn’t had one day of regret.
“Find a job you like and you'll never work again – there is some truth in that saying,” says Gediminas, who lives in Vilnius and trains during his spare time to compete in triathlons. “I believe energy – the liquefied natural gas and gas industry to be more specific – is one of the most exciting and interesting places to be in. New developments, different business landscapes and ever-changing projects is what drives me.”
Gediminas’s job was created after the European Investment Bank, the EU bank, signed an €87 million loan with Klaipedos Nafta to build and run a plant that imports liquefied natural gas in Klaipeda. The terminal includes a floating storage vessel for the gas and 18 kilometres of pipes that send the gas across Lithuania. Klaipeda has one of the few ice-free ports in far northern Europe. The European Investment Bank’s investment is critical for the diversity and security of Lithuania’s energy supply.
Road to success or failure in Lithuania natural gas
Gediminas’s job is one of millions created with the European Investment Bank’s support. By 2021, investments signed by the European Investment Bank Group in 2017 alone are expected to raise EU gross domestic product by 1.1% and to create 1.2 million jobs. Even in 2036, EU GDP will be 0.7% higher as a result of the EIB's 2017 investments, and 650 000 extra jobs will have been added.
For people struggling to find a job or those looking for more satisfying work, Gediminas believes determination and tenacity are most important.
“It’s important to work hard, apply discipline and keep your head above the water,” he says. “Good things will happen to those who do this.”
With a little help from the EU bank.
