When Viktorija Speteliūnaitė began working as an Administrator in the aircraft maintenance hangar of “FL Technics” in Kaunas in 2016, she never dreamed that one day her career would take her thousands of kilometers away from home. Viktorija says that from the very beginning, she felt she had found her place – in a dynamic yet close-knit team, where she could witness the aviation world up close every day. Although her role at the time was mostly administrative, it became a springboard for steady growth, ultimately leading her this year to one of the most remarkable turns in her career – taking on the role of Head of People and Culture at a brand-new company branch in Punta Cana, Dominican Republic.

The Road to Human Resources

Viktorija recalls the start of her career with ease and a smile: “When I joined FL Technics, there were about 170 people working in the Kaunas hangar, and the administrator role gave me a unique opportunity to get to know many colleagues and clients. I was the main point of contact in the Kaunas office, so I immediately felt how dynamic the aviation industry is,” she remembers.

Her close connection with colleagues and involvement in daily operations sparked a growing interest in the field of human resources. Soon after, Viktorija was offered a position on the People and Culture team. “My initial steps in HR were more introductory – I worked on employee document administration and recruitment. But every month my responsibilities grew: I got involved in process development, employee well-being initiatives, training organization, and talent acquisition. As the company grew, I grew with it,” Viktorija explains.

Over several years, she progressed through multiple career stages – from HR Specialist to Project Manager, and later to People and Culture Partner. In this role, she led a team and became one of the lecturers at FL Technics’ internal leadership academy.

“What means a lot to me is that FL Technics always believed in my potential and gave me space to grow. I was allowed to learn, make mistakes, and move forward,” she says.

Trust Overcame Fear

Even with a strong professional foundation, the offer Viktorija received at the beginning of 2025 took her career in a new direction.“I was invited to visit the Dominican Republic, to Punta Cana, where FL Technics was planning to open a new hangar. I was supposed to meet the future team and the new local manager. When I arrived, I saw warm, friendly people, stunning nature, and a team that was truly eager to begin. Their enthusiasm was contagious. When I returned to Lithuania, I realized I had to seize this opportunity to lead the People and Culture department for this new team,” she smiles.

Still, she admits the initial offer scared her. “When my manager first suggested the role in the Dominican Republic, I thought she was joking – I had my life here in Lithuania, just finished renovating my home, my family, friends, and colleagues were nearby. The thought of leaving all that felt impossible,” she confesses.

Viktorija is glad she overcame her fears and says what she values most is the trust from her managers and colleagues:“If not for their belief in me, I probably would have stayed in my comfort zone. I’m deeply motivated by my amazing colleagues who put so much heart into their work – and by the industry itself. We work to make aviation safe, and that gives me energy.”

Cultural Differences That Enrich

Today, Viktorija is actively preparing for this new chapter. For now, she’s still in Lithuania – sharing her experience, mentoring colleagues, strengthening the local team, and working remotely with the Caribbean team. She’s already noticing cultural differences but sees them as enriching rather than challenging.

“Colleagues in Punta Cana work more calmly, take more time to respond to emails and make decisions, ensuring everything is done carefully, without rushing. At first, it was a bit frustrating – we Lithuanians are used to doing things fast and seeing results immediately. But it made me think: they seem happier, they value work-life balance. That’s a lesson we could all learn from,” she reflects.

She was also pleasantly surprised by how much the local colleagues appreciate the opportunities, involvement, and recognition they receive: “Sometimes it seems like we in Lithuania take good working conditions for granted. There, people are genuinely grateful. I notice the enthusiasm and curiosity of new colleagues in the Dominican Republic. There’s also a positive attitude toward having a diverse, multicultural team – they see it as a chance to learn from each other.”

Viktorija adds that in a company like FL Technics, an international career is no longer surprising:
“The company has already opened several hangars and branches abroad. More and more colleagues are willing to take on the challenge of working in a new location. The opportunities are huge – the most important thing is to have the desire. People are motivated not only by professional challenges but also by the chance to experience new cultures and the trust they receive from leadership.”

Confidence Is Key to Moving Forward

When asked what she would say to a young person dreaming of an international career but still feeling unsure or afraid, Viktorija is straightforward: “I won’t lie – it’s not going to be easy, but that doesn’t mean it’s not worth it. Step by step, everything is possible. The most important thing is to believe in yourself and realize that people everywhere have the same dreams and concerns. Once you understand that, fear fades, and curiosity takes over.”

Talking about confidence, she admits she, too, is currently stepping outside her comfort zone:
“My life has been quite stable until now, and suddenly I’m facing a completely new phase – from finding a place to live to driving in a country where traffic is very different from Lithuania,” she laughs. “These kinds of changes require more than professional skills – they demand personal growth, the ability to let go of control, adapt, and be flexible.”

Naturally, the changes involve not just lifestyle but also the scale of her professional responsibilities.
“My goal now is clear – to build a strong People and Culture team, ensure employee well-being, support a smooth launch for the new hangar, and make sure that FL Technics’ values are reflected in this new unit in Punta Cana. For me, this project is not just a new job – it’s a chance to help build a story from the ground up,” Viktorija concludes with a smile.