Beyond the Game: How A Basketball Player Found Victory in the Language Industry

Inspired by many industry #leaders and seeing how people are surprised when I mention that I am a former #basketball player, I decided to share my story and how I “ended-up” in the #translation industry.

When people hear that I work in the translation business, they often ask me: "Can a basketball player work in this industry?" And my answer is always the same: absolutely.

Growing up in #Lithuania during the Soviet era, I dreamed of #freedom, and language became my key to unlocking it. I knew that if I learned a second or third language, I would have the opportunity to travel and explore the world. That's why I pursued a degree in Translation and Interpreting of Technical Language at Kaunas University of Technology .

But I also had a passion for sports and spent 13 years playing basketball and even represented my country on the national youth team.

While others saw me as a future star athlete, I knew that my love for language would be my guide. From the age of 10, I became captivated by the intricacies of different tongues and their ability to connect people across cultures.

When I graduated from school, I had to choose between sports and #languages. Probably you can easily guess what I chose next??

After #graduation, I started working as a #freelancer, helping others communicate across languages and borders. But it wasn't until I landed a project management position at a translation agency that my career really took off. I was scared to leave my comfort zone, but taking that risk turned out to be the most fun and rewarding experience of my life.

As I continued to climb the ranks, I became a Key Account Manager before joining Baltijos vertimai, UAB as the Business Development Manager in 2020. But it was my years on the basketball court that instilled in me the determination and never-give-up attitude that has carried me through both victories and defeats. Those skills served me well when I was entrusted with the role of CEO of Baltijos vertimai, UAB and even acquired shares in the company.

And in 2021, I was #elected to the Board of Directors of the European Language Industry Association (Elia), where I have used my expertise and vision to revamp the Elia Exchange initiative and help shape the future of the industry.

Looking back on my journey, I am #proud to say that I have been able to combine my passions for language and sports in a way that has allowed me to excel in both. And I hope that my story can inspire others to follow their own passions and embrace the opportunities that life presents, no matter how unlikely they may seem.