From 2G to 5G - Sylwia Kobus, a graduate of the Faculty of Electrical, Electronic, Computer and Control Engineering, travels through technologies on the wave of progress. For four years, she has been participating in the implementation of the latest global solutions. Today she talks about his contribution to the improvement of the world and about the field of study, resistant to viruses - not only computer.
You have chosen one of the most popular fields at TUL ...
It is true. You see, I'm not only interested in the latest technologies. I like to be "up to date" with the possibilities offered by newer and newer devices, especially mobile ones. IT turned out to be a bull's eye. It is a very developmental field and always relevant.
What makes IT jobs available even today, when many industries suffer from the pandemic?
Nowadays, more and more industries base their solutions on IT systems, which is why companies from various sectors of the economy report the demand for IT specialists. My friends and I graduated from the same field of study, but each of us fulfills ourselves in completely different areas. Some create mobile applications, others complex systems for foreign companies, and still others - like me - co-create software for mobile networks. I would recommend this field to anyone who wants to contribute to the world around us and use the latest technologies for this, and who also likes challenges and continuous development.
Computer science students often start working while still studying. As a student, you took part in the "Mały Oxford" programme, which enabled cooperation with many companies from the IT industry. What experiences have you gathered during the project?
The programme allowed cooperation on many different commercial projects. I worked for the international ABB concern, where I created dedicated IT products for conference participants. For example, during a programming conference, we prepared a mobile application in which you could find information about the agenda, speakers, topics of speeches and lunch breaks. We have also developed a solution for quick registration - after scanning the participant's QR code, the ID was printed for him immediately. Yet another project was a system that displayed posts about the event on screens, posted at any given moment in all social media, during the conference. Such an experience is invaluable. Lodz University of Technology helps students to establish contact with future employers already during their studies, and in my opinion this is one of the greatest advantages of Lodz University of Technology.
During your studies, you took advantage of the Erasmus + student exchange programme. Where did you go and what did you learn abroad?
Yes, studying is not only a science, but also a fantastic adventure. I went to the University of Ghent in Belgium. It was a kind of life lesson. Belgians have their own specific culture, a different approach to various topics, including new technological solutions. Apart from accepting various views, I learned, first of al confidence in using the English language gained during my trip helps me in my current job in an international environment.
After graduation, you started working for a leading producer of new technologies and information systems. How did you find Ericsson?
Ericsson is developing dynamically and is looking for employees to prepare new products. I've heard a lot of good things about this company from my friends who worked there. I went to an interview for an internship and I have stayed that way until today. Currently, almost everyone uses cellular networks. It's nice to be aware that, at least in a small part, you can contribute to creating the reality around us. Above all, Ericsson gives me the opportunity to participate in complex projects, crucial for the entire telecommunications industry.
You worked on a 2G, 4G and now 5G network. How is the work on these networks different?
The difference in working with these technologies is that these products are at a completely different stage of development. The 2G network has been commercially available on the market for many years, so it focuses less on introducing new functionalities and more on product maintenance, i.e. solving problems reported by customers and creating specific solutions for specific customers. Work on 5G looks completely different, this product is just entering the market, so here we work on developing new functionalities.
What 5G functionalities are you currently working on?
I am now implementing one of the network nodes in 5G technology. The node decides whether a device can connect to the network or not, for example, because it is in the list of devices reported as stolen. Each of the operators has their own lists of "banned" IMEI (International Mobile Equipment Identity) numbers. When the number is on the list, it is not allowed to access the network. Working on the 5G network is very inspiring. The fifth generation of mobile technology is characterized by faster transfer and lower delays in data transfer. Thanks to it, it is possible to create solutions such as self-driving cars or new functions of smart homes.
Interviewer: Dr. Aleksandra Pawlik
Photos: Ericsson and the interviewee's private archive