Wojtek Bartłomiejczak, a graduate of our school, is a perfect example of how following your passions and embracing change can take you far – both literally and figuratively. Although initially his career path seemed clearly defined, his passion for travel and openness to new experiences led him in a completely different direction. Wojtek is a surveyor by education, but today he works as a flight attendant, visiting the furthest corners of the world and fulfilling his dream of working with people and travelling. In a conversation with Nikola Grześkowiak, he talks about his career journey, the ins and outs of airline recruitment and his daily duties on board an aircraft. What is more, he proves that technical education provides a solid foundation – even when life takes an unexpected turn.
Nikola Grześkowiak: Can you share some of your school memories with us?
Wojtek Bartłomiejczak: I remember being surrounded by friends, doing schoolwork and studying together in the afternoons – after all, we were all working towards the same goal – achieving the best possible results on our final exams. I have really fond memories of the practical classes in geodesy, which were a welcome break from traditional classroom learning. Working in the field allowed us to get away from notes or theory and gain some valuable hands-on experience.
Nikola Grześkowiak: What happened after you graduated from secondary school?
Wojtek Bartłomiejczak: After graduation, I began studying Geodesy at Adam Mickiewicz University in Poznań. Studying part-time gave me the opportunity to combine education with my fascination with Asian culture – therefore I decided to get a job in a sushi restaurant.
I still delight in spending evenings with my family and friends, preparing and enjoying our homemade sushi together. It’s not just a culinary tradition for us, but also a way to build closeness and share something we truly enjoy.
Nikola Grześkowiak: What made you choose to study Geodesy?
Wojtek Bartłomiejczak: Choosing that field was an obvious decision for me – I wanted to continue my education in the area that had already become a passion of mine during technical school. Another big motivation was the chance to keep studying together with my closest friends from secondary school. It was a special time in my life, full of shared challenges and I look back on it with great fondness.
Nikola Grześkowiak: What were your first experiences working as a surveyor?
Wojtek Bartłomiejczak: Towards the end of my studies, one of my lecturers – who was working at that time in the Geodesy Department of the Poznań County Office – told our group about an open recruitment for a junior clerk position. I felt it was the perfect opportunity to start building my own professional experience. Working with documentation turned out to be a valuable and enriching experience that helped me understand the inner workings of public administration better and allowed me to gain so many practical, job-specific skills. The next step in my career – still related to geodesy – was a job at Polish State Railways (PKP), in the Department of Geodesy and Legal Status Regulation. My daily duties included preparing property division plans for state-owned land managed by PKP, located in the Lubusz and West Pomeranian Voivodeships. The job involved frequent field trips and measurements, which I particularly appreciated, as variety in daily tasks and every opportunity to work with people were very important to me.
Nikola Grześkowiak: What made you change your career? Was it a difficult decision?
Wojtek Bartłomiejczak: Despite finding satisfaction and interest in my work in the geodesy field, I had always had a strong passion for travel. The career change happened quite spontaneously. I had always been fascinated by flying – not just as an escape from everyday life, but also as a source of inspiration. Over time, I found myself increasingly drawn to the idea of linking my future to aviation. Although I didn’t consciously plan it at first, I gradually started paying more attention to learning English and worked steadily to improve my language skills. I applied for airline recruitment mostly out of curiosity, just to see what the process looked like, without any pressure or expectations. To my surprise, just a week later, I received a call informing me that I had been accepted. It was an incredibly pleasant and motivating surprise that marked the beginning of a completely new chapter in my life.
Nikola Grześkowiak: Did you have any previous experience in the aviation industry, or was it a completely new path?
Wojtek Bartłomiejczak: Aviation was a completely new path for me, but one that captivated me from the very beginning. Working with people, the friendly atmosphere, and the abundance of places waiting to be discovered bring me joy every day.
Nikola Grześkowiak: Can you tell us more about the recruitment process for the position of flight attendant? Was it a big challenge to get in?
Wojtek Bartłomiejczak: The adventure with aviation begins the moment you submit your CV. Then, only selected candidates are invited to participate in a full-day recruitment process, as there are lots of applicants. The process itself can be divided into three main stages. The first one is group work, during which candidates solve problems simulating real in-flight situations. Here, creativity, teamwork, and quick decision-making are vital. The second stage is a job interview, which focuses mainly on the contents of your CV. However, your diction and self-presentation skills are also evaluated, so you may be asked to read out some in-flight announcements. The third element is a conversation with an English-speaking instructor, aimed at evaluating your fluency and grammatical accuracy. The minimum required level of English is B2 and a command of additional foreign languages is a big advantage. It’s important to remember that candidates are being observed throughout the entire process – from the moment they enter to the moment they leave. It’s not only the way of speaking and behavior that matters, but also the appearance. Therefore, it is worth taking care of your appropriate outfit, impeccable appearance, and in the case of women, also makeup. From the very first moments, it is essential to take on the role of a crew member and show others that this is the space where we feel confident and natural.
Nikola Grześkowiak: What are the challenges, advantages and disadvantages of working in the aviation industry?
Wojtek Bartłomiejczak: Being a flight attendant is a job that requires a great deal of commitment, responsibility and ability to multitask in a fast-paced environment. Frequent flights often mean giving up your regular personal life, but despite these challenges, this job will allow you to fulfil your dream of travelling, meeting people and discovering new cultures. One of the biggest difficulties is the constant change in time zones, which often leads to fatigue and disruptions to your internal clock. While passengers are just settling into their seats, we’ve already completed numerous pre-flight duties. On the other hand, one of the greatest perks of the job is the incredibly varied schedule. It’s not unusual to have several days off mid-week or spend a few days in a faraway part of the world. The most special moments are the mornings in a completely new place—that feeling when you wake up knowing you’re about to go out and explore something unfamiliar. That’s the part of the job that gives you a sense of freedom and excitement which is hard to find elsewhere.
Nikola Grześkowiak: As a flight attendant, you have got a unique opportunity to travel the world and discover incredible places. Which destinations have impressed you the most and why? Is there a place you always love going back to?
Wojtek Bartłomiejczak: Without a doubt, I feel the strongest connection to destinations in Asia, with Tokyo holding a very special place in my heart. It’s my favorite destination, mainly because of my deep love for Japanese culture and cuisine. The flight itself and interacting with passengers is always a pleasure. The Japanese are known for their exceptional manners – they’re organised, polite and approachable. Boarding on these flights is often one of the smoothest and fastest of all, which speaks volumes about their travel discipline. Japan captivates not only with its hospitality, but also with its incredible range of tourist attractions – from picturesque temples and breathtaking landscapes to an unparalleled cuisine that amazes me every time. For me, it’s, hands down, number one on the world map.
Nikola Grześkowiak: Is there a destination you haven’t visited yet but would love to?
Wojtek Bartłomiejczak: One of my biggest travel dreams is to visit New Zealand. It’s a country with absolutely stunning landscapes that has fascinated me for years with its natural diversity and unique atmosphere. A bonus is that a lot of iconic scenes from well-known and beloved films like The Lord of the Rings, The Hobbit and other major productions were filmed there. Because of the distance and the time needed for the trip, I’d love to set aside a longer vacation for it – to really immerse myself in the experience and explore the country without rushing. It’s definitely a goal that ranks high on my list of travel plans and I want to achieve it in the nearest future.
Nikola Grześkowiak: Could you share some interesting facts or anecdotes from your job?
Wojtek Bartłomiejczak: Being a flight attendant teaches you to be extremely flexible in how you see the world. Over time, fewer things surprise you, and diversity becomes the norm. At work, we learn so many cultural nuances that highlight the importance of understanding and respect for foreign customs. For example, on flights to Japan, the rice served on the tray must always be placed close to the passenger’s heart – this is part of their tradition. In Arabic countries, pork is never served, and on flights to South Korea, we always carry a large supply of instant noodles, as they’re really popular among the passengers. Knowing these small but significant details – and being open to cultural diversity – is an essential part of the job. It’s through experiences like these that the world feels closer, and other cultures become more familiar.
Working on an aircraft also involves adapting to physical conditions – changes in cabin pressure cause the body to react differently. For example, a single glass of wine in the air can feel like two on the ground, so it’s important to be cautious with alcohol. Also, at 10,000 meters, a significant portion of your taste buds are knocked out by the pressure changes, so everything you consume taste different.
Nikola Grześkowiak: Looking back, do you think studying Geodesy was a good decision, even though you’re no longer working in that field?
Wojtek Bartłomiejczak: To my mind, the degree I did gave me a solid foundation and a sense of employment stability. Thanks to the experience I’ve gained, I know I can always return to that field and that gives me peace of mind.
Nikola Grześkowiak: Do you think you might return to geodesy someday, or are you planning your future in aviation?
Wojtek Bartłomiejczak: The pandemic period, when air travel was suspended and most aircraft were grounded, made it very clear that it was really important to have a solid professional background – skills that would let you find your way outside the aviation industry. If I ever faced setbacks in aviation or wanted to change my career path, my strong CV would allow me to return to geodesy.
For now, I’m fully enjoying the opportunities my current job offers – I’m living my dream, spending time with inspiring people and every day brings a new, fascinating destination. And what does the future hold? Time will tell.
Nikola Grześkowiak: What advice would you give to young people who are choosing a field of study or their first job?
Wojtek Bartłomiejczak: I believe it is crucial to understand your own strengths and needs. I’ve always known that I want to work with people – from office jobs where I was part of a big team to my current role where I’m responsible for the comfort and safety of travellers. I wouldn’t recommend choosing a degree or career path based solely on your friends’ preferences. While that might offer a sense of security, it’s important to remember that life will bring a lot of opportunities to meet new people and most of the time we can adapt quickly to new environments – even if we’re nervous at first. The most essential thing is to bravely pursue your ideas and future plans. Anything is possible with determination and self-belief.
Nikola Grześkowiak: Do you think it’s worth taking risks sometimes?
Wojtek Bartłomiejczak: That’s a very personal matter. Everyone has their own moment when they feel it’s time for something new. I believe that if you feel the need for change inside, you shouldn’t ignore it or be afraid of it. What matters most in such moments is making the decision and having the courage to take that first step. The changes in my life came from a desire to follow the passions that had been waiting in the background. Now I know how much I would’ve missed out on if I hadn’t taken that risk. Today, I feel I’m exactly where I’m supposed to be – both professionally and personally.
Nikola Grześkowiak: What do you wish for?
Wojtek Bartłomiejczak: In our line of work, we always wish each other a smooth flight – and that’s exactly what I need in my daily life as well. In this fast-paced world, I value peace, balance and being around kind, positive people. That gives me strength and makes each day feel unique.
Nikola Grześkowiak: May all your dreams and wishes come true. Surround yourself with people who motivate and support you. May your travels be smooth and your experiences unforgettable. And hope to hear all about your trip to New Zealand soon.
Wojtek Bartłomiejczak: Thank you very much.
Journalism Club „Pinezka”
Interview conducted by: Nikola Grześkowiak
Photos: Jakub Przybyła / Wojtek’s private collection
Translation support: Ilona Król
Editorial supervision: Katarzyna Maciocha