Know Your Arekibian: Alina
Next up on our Know Your Arekibian series is Alina, Marketing Innovation Analyst at Arekibo with a passion for travelling and dancing.
What was your journey to Arekibo?
As Martin said to me: "You made a website to get you a dream job, and you got it! And fortunately for you, it was not even Ryanair!". I’ve always wanted to work for Ryanair because I strongly believe traveling is the best type of education, that makes people more open-minded and kind to each other, and Ryanair makes traveling accessible for all. So, shortly after graduation I made a micro-website which gained traction. In the end, Ryanair decided not to give me a chance, so I went on to look for another challenge. That is how I found Arekibo... and Arekibo found me. Originally I applied for the position of a Project Manager, but on the interview was offered a completely different role of Marketing Innovation Analyst. Now it feels like this role was drafted for me, because it involves creativity, strategic thinking and a lot of team work, and I feel like I am exactly where I should be.
3 things you have learned during your time in Arekibo?
- Planning is everything - You maybe fail 30% of meetings you prepare for, but you will fail 100% of meetings you don't prepare for.
- Little acts of kindness can have a huuuge impact on you and others.
- Alone we can do so little, together we can do so much!
One thing you can’t work without?
Pen and paper (notebook). I am very visual, so drawing and laying things out on the paper helps me understand complex problems, connect the dots and, eventually, find the answer needed.
Favourite thing about your job?
3 things: 1) I love that I was hired for who I am, meaning my strengths are celebrated in the challenges I get to work with, at the same time as learn and improve in the new areas I am interested in. 2) Autonomy and freedom I have to complete my tasks. 3) Curious, smart and passionate people I work with. I learn something cool from my team every day!
One thing most people don’t know about you?
Traveling plays a big role in my life. I went abroad for the first time in 1999 with my parents when I was 6, and from 2010 I have been traveling on my own, on average making 6 trips per year. By my 26th birthday I have visited every EU country (and the UK 😄), 43 different countries in total. My friends often turn to me for low-cost traveling tips and call me "packing queen". The craziest thing I did in my life was in 2013, when I went on an Interrail road trip through Europe with a complete stranger. We visited 7 countries together and are now married for 3 years.
Apple or Android? Why?
Apple (iPhone), for its great camera! But never a Macbook.
Personal motto?
The more we do, the more we can do! And no one remembers a coward.
Find out more about Martin and Matteo.
Alina has written a number of blogs: