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Nuclear engineering is a field with high technical and safety demands. What do you think is key for someone to succeed in this profession?

A certain amount of patience, precision, and a solid understanding of what you’re doing. Because if you make a mistake in terms of safety, it can have huge consequences—ones you definitely don’t want to be responsible for. As Associate Professor František Hezoučký used to say: “You show respect to a reactor.” And when you have the honor of working on such technology—something you can barely tame—it’s truly worth it.

What was your path to ŠKODA JS? Did you join the company right away, or did you gain experience elsewhere first?

I chose a bachelor’s thesis with a different company, where I first worked and gained some hands-on experience, getting a sense of what real projects look like. Then I worked at another company, but it still wasn’t quite right—I wasn’t yet working in nuclear energy. Since February, I’ve been with ŠKODA JS.

What exactly do you do at the company, and what does your position involve in practice?

When people hear “designer,” they often think of paper, large drawings, and so on. But we do design work directly for production, which means we prepare documentation for manufacturing, ensure approval from the State Office for Nuclear Safety, and deal with things like packaging systems for spent fuel from Temelín or Dukovany.

Do you perceive changes in engineering in terms of more women entering technical positions? What has your experience been like?

It’s more about stereotypes. From a young age, girls often hear they don’t belong in technical fields. The irony is, they hear this mostly from people outside of the industry—within the technical environment itself, it’s quite the opposite; the field tends to be accepting. If some girls or women are hesitant, I’d say that’s nonsense. Yes, there will always be people who try to discourage women from certain jobs, but you’ll find that anywhere—whether you’re working in an office or in a technical setting.

You’re about to finish your master’s degree and are applying for doctoral studies. What drew you to this field at the Faculty of Mechanical Engineering and ultimately to nuclear engineering?

I saw the Faculty of Mechanical Engineering as offering real career prospects after graduation. I’ve always been fascinated by nuclear physics, and I liked how it combined with applied technology—bringing together the abstract (things you don’t directly see) and the concrete (technology and practice).

The Faculty of Mechanical Engineering at UWB is known for being demanding. Is that true?

Honestly, it’s not the easiest path you can take after high school, but I believe it’s one worth taking. As the saying goes: “Train hard, fight easy.” At FME, you have to manage your time, make some sacrifices. The studies teach you humility and how to communicate—with your team and in general. It might not feel great at first, but by the end, you’re grateful for it. It’s doable. Look at me—I'm about to graduate. So it’s definitely manageable.

Was there a particular moment, project, or teacher during your studies that confirmed nuclear engineering was the right path for you?

It was a continuous process with some defining moments. At first, I followed a more general path, but later I chose nuclear energy specifically—partly thanks to Jan Zdebor from UWB, who practically “sold” it to me. The way he lectured, with passion and love for nuclear power, was contagious.

What would you advise students in technical fields?

It’s naive to think your first job after university will be smooth and perfect. But school teaches you how to search for and evaluate information, how to communicate, and how to handle stress. Graduates shouldn’t assume they know everything right away—they should show a bit of humility, even in job interviews.

In one word, what’s the biggest contribution of the Faculty of Mechanical Engineering to your current career?

Adaptability. Because throughout your studies you learn to make the necessary compromises to complete it successfully.

What do you remember most fondly from your time at UWB?

Definitely the great group of classmates. Thanks to them, I managed to cope better with the challenges of studying—writing demanding term papers, preparing for exams, and tackling credit tests. One great thing about the faculty is how supportive and team-oriented people are—at least in my year. We constantly used the university library—whether the café or the study rooms.