Romani community member Ladislav Péter leads a 20-member team: "Don't allow your fear of losing to keep you out of the game."

Such stuff was the bread and butter of all teenagers, Péter included. There would have been nothing strange about it – but he was different because of his Romani nationality, and he did encounter obstacles because of his origin; he talks about his working life in this interview.

Q: What was your motivation to study well and want to succeed in life?

A: For me, the motivation was that at the age of 14 I began to temporarily work as a manual laborer at a railway firm in the Most area to earn my living, and after half a year I told myself I did not want to end up there. What was really appealing to me was how the managers ran around there, de facto did nothing, but had power and respect. I told myself that I had to graduate from the school I chose at the age of 14, even if the Devil himself rode in on a goat to stop me. I was studying to be an “Electronics Mechanic” at the Educhem Secondary School in Meziboří.

Q: When you started the temporary work, weren’t you concerned that people would single you out because you are Romani, because you have a “swarthy” coloring?

A: Not at all. Many Roma worked there and I joined a group where the guys knew what I wanted to achieve in life. They knew me because it was my uncle’s firm. I worked there for less money than the other guys, of course, so nobody would think I was getting special treatment. The managers, the foremen and the guys accepted me no problem.

Q: When you completed school and passed the exit examination, what did you think of doing next? Had you decided to go work, or did you also consider attending university?

A: Toward the end of secondary school I considered university, but then I told myself that I needed money. I postponed the next phase of my studies because I told myself I could begin studying at any time. I needed money at that moment, so I remained with the firm where I had been temporarily working before I found my first official position in my own field.

Q: In the beginning you were like a “classic” mechanic, then you became a foreman for five people and now you are in charge of a team of 20. How did you achieve that position? 

A: To summarize, I began working at the Railway Administration in Most as a track repairman. It was necessary to pass expert examinations to do that work, and I successfully fulfilled that requirement. Later the management promised me that because I was demonstrating dexterity, I would soon be the foreman for my colleagues. Unfortunately, that never happened. After a time I gave notice and moved to Teplice to be near my girlfriend, who is now my wife. I began working for a German corporation, a job I got on the basis of my CV and experience. Originally I applied to be a repairman again. I had to leave the firm later even though I didn’t want to.

Currently I am working in a Czech firm producing archival supplies, office supplies, and since 2013 they also produce paper bags for groceries, including paper cups and lids. I am a manager in charge of 20 people. I’ve worked here for five years now and I believe my career will continue to grow. The owner is the only person above me, but the company keeps expanding and I have been promised a better salary.

Q: Do you plan to graduate from university in the future?

A: I don’t think so. To put it fatuously, a high school diploma is the limit for me. I think school isn’t for me anymore, access and experience are.

Q: What would you tell people who are considering their own career growth and self-development?

A: Do what I have done. Don’t be afraid of who you are, people will either accept you or they won’t. Ever since my primary school days my motto has been: “Do not allow your fear of losing to keep you out of the game.” Just participate, no matter the cost. Try, try, try, it just has to turn out at least once. Don’t be disappointed immediately by your first rejection, don’t say to yourself “Forget this! Is it because I am a Romani man? Is it because I’m like this or like that?” No! You may not suit a certain person, but you will certainly find another one who will be enthusiastic about you, which is what happened to me. It wasn’t ever good right away for me, everywhere I’ve been I have had to demonstrate my experience despite the conditions for me being worse than for the others, in my view.