5 years ago, she hoped to become a perfect judge, but towards the end of her bachelor’s degree at the Faculty of Law at the University of Bucharest, she realized that she had to choose the path that suits her better, not what satisfies those around her. And she enrolled in the master’s program in Labor Law. This is the story of Lucia Prisecariu, our colleague, and legal advisor. Lucia started her first job in the BIA HR team, where she resonated with the values and with the people open offering them their knowledge and experience.
But the road to here was a well-worked and planned one. She didn’t have a recipe for success, but only allowed herself to know and listen to her wishes. She gave herself the freedom to experiment.
What were those experiences that mattered on his way to his current job? What skills and approaches helped her make a difference, but also how does she manage to recharge her energy after a day with many professional challenges? Lucia answers all these questions in the following.
What motivated you to choose a career in the legal field?
Ever since I was a child, I have been interested in observing how the community works, why there are rules, and how they should be developed so that all participants in social life live in harmony. Given my curious and always active nature, I chose to study law at the Faculty of Law of the University of Bucharest, considering that there I will be able to outline my personality and I will acquire useful information even in everyday life.
Tell us about your career as a Senior Recruitment Manager. What were those experiences that trained you for your current job?
The position of Legal Advisor within BIA HR is my first job, but I can say that I worked to reach this point all my adolescence being a volunteer in the World Vision Foundation, Save the Children Romania, Negrești Youth Center, and Student Council. I strongly believe that if I hadn’t allocated my free time for personal development, in addition to the hours spent in school, I wouldn’t have been able to figure out what suits me and what doesn’t.
If 5 years ago I hoped to become a perfect judge, towards the end of my bachelor’s degree I realized that I have to choose the path that suits me, not what satisfies those around me. This is what I had in mind when I enrolled in the Master of Labor Law. Labor and industrial relations (also within the Faculty of Law), following my passion related to the study of labor law issues (a subject I loved a lot in the fourth year of college).
How did you start collaborating with BIA HR and how was your adaptation?
Although I didn’t know anything about the company, the first contact I had with my colleague Cristina Scarlatescu (Recruitment Manager) was one that gave me confidence. From the first moment, I knew that my journey with BIA will be one based on mutually shared values, such as seriousness, thoroughness, support, and the desire to help others. Although the beginnings found us during the pandemic period, when we came to the office once a week, my colleague, Ioana, but also the others, did everything possible to feel “at home” from the beginning. When those around you want to pass on all their knowledge and know-how, and you are eager to “steal a job”, the results can only be positive!
Knowing that “you are doing well your job” is the greatest satisfaction that a professional, in my opinion, can have!
What are your current challenges in the business and how do you deal with them? Describe those situations that bring you satisfaction in your work.
Although from the outside it seems that the work of a counselor is quite static, in the Consulting department, in the context of the relations we have with the public institutions of the State, I don’t have time to get bored. Our work is always connected to the needs of the clients we work with, involves real-time answers, solving cases (sometimes ones hard to imagine that deviate from the standard form presented by law) and the attempt to be constantly updated with new changes in legislation makes each week different and brings a new lesson – which enriches our knowledge of law (and not only).
From my point of view, the challenges arise, in most cases, due to the faulty system in which public institutions work. Often, a procedure that could be completed without related problems is hampered by state institutions. When you can’t change the problem data for customers who urgently need support and answers, situations can become frustrating. However, the most important aspect I have learned so far is that any situation has a solution, and the teamwork in the BIA HR Consulting department has always brought, sooner or later, positive results.
Thinking about a specific aspect of the satisfaction in the activity I carry out, I can refer to the impact that our work has on people’s personal life. Whether we are talking about employment relations consulting, which often refers to the employees of our business partners and to the changes that directly affect their lives, or to the processes of local employment/family reunification of ex-pats from different Non-EU countries, it’s gratifying to know that thanks to your efforts foreigners/people, in general, can continue their lives without being worried/stressed about what will happen next. Knowing that “you are doing well your job” is the greatest satisfaction that a professional, in my opinion, can have!
What are those skills that help you in your job?
Patience, continuous learning, distributive attention, curiosity, and spontaneity. It’s also necessary to be a good communicator, to be able to communicate clearly in any situation, whether you are addressing a CEO, an officer, or a civil employee, and to be fluent in English. I believe that in order to become better and better at what you do, you must be concerned with developing in other aspects of life (financial aspects, relationships, industry development), not only from the perspective of law.
I think it’s essential to try to know ourselves, to be honest with what suits us, and to give up the idea of the “perfect recipe for success”. I don’t think there is a predefined path that brings you satisfaction and fulfillment, but you just have to look for the one that makes you feel calm and at peace with your own choices made every day. Although there are many desired professions in society with a lot of benefits, it’s important to answer the question “Does it really suit me?”.
What advice would you give to a young person who wants to work as a Legal Advisor? What steps should he follow and what should he know about this profession?
I think it’s essential to try to know ourselves, to be honest with what suits us, and to give up the idea of the “perfect recipe for success”. I don’t think there is a predefined path that brings you satisfaction and fulfillment, but you just have to look for the one that makes you feel calm and at peace with your own choices made every day. Although there are many desired professions in society with a lot of benefits, it’s important to answer the question “Does it really suit me?”.
Even if you can encounter many obstacles in the labor market in Bucharest / Romania, it’s important to give yourself the chance to experiment with ways that, perhaps, you have never thought of or that have not been explained to you by others. It’s essential to accept and want to start from the bottom (I did not even know how to use the printer), so that one day you can excel in a certain field!
First of all, you need the courage to step out of your comfort zone and apply for jobs! Find out about the companies that have jobs available, find out if they resonate with your personality and goals, and show your strengths! Treat everything with interest and seriousness and I assure you that you will find your way! Look around you, there will always be something new to discover!
What should customers who want to work with you know?
That I would never accept a project just for financial reasons – without being willing to complete it successfully, that I make every effort to increase my level of knowledge and that I love human interaction – I take my energy, most of the time, from the relationships.
„You just have to take that leap of faith!”
Do you have favorite mottos or certain books that have opened new perspectives on your career?
A book that changed my life personally and professionally is “The Courage to Be Vulnerable” written by Brené Brown, who reminded me, when I forgot, that it is perfectly normal to ask for help, that it’s okay if you don’t know everything and that life is a constant struggle to discover who we really are (this is only possible if we accept that we are humans, not robots, and that feelings guide us in any interaction, even in terms of work).
I like to try to see the full side of the glass, so no matter the situation, I like to remember that “You are exactly where you need to be!” At the same time, another English motto that helps me be courageous is “You just have to take that leap of faith!”
What do you like to spend your free time and what gives you energy for the job?
As I said, I am expressive, I like meeting people and occasionally, I like meeting new people with common interests (for example, in March-May 2022 I took part in the program She leads tomorrow by Leaders Foundation and the Group Renault, together with 50 other young women and I was the beneficiary of the GirlPower by OTP Bank mentoring program between November 2021 – March 2022).
However, in order to charge my batteries, I practice yoga, I go to the gym 2-3 times/week before the start of the work day, I ride a bike, I explore “on foot” with my friend Bucharest and I taste culinary delicacies (cooked by me or in a restaurant) that make me enjoy living in a free and so beautiful country. I am passionate about my personal development, and in order to get to know myself I participate in counseling sessions with a specialist and I often use mindfulness techniques, which help me maintain a harmonious relationship with myself.
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