Behind the scenes series – Marta Adžgauskaitė
Hello Marta! How did you start your career in Civitta?
Can you share your journey to becoming a Senior Project Manager?
I started my career at Civitta with a summer internship and was thrilled to be hired as a Junior Project Manager just two months later during my fourth year of university. Although I wasn’t a coder, my programming knowledge from university gave me a strong foundation.
I focused on IT project management, which perfectly aligned with my studies in Management Information Systems.
My hard work was recognized, and I found Civitta to be a supportive environment where my efforts were valued, allowing me to grow and continue advancing in my career.
While studying in Lisbon, you also continued your career with Civitta – what academic and professional experiences did you gain there?
Balancing work and studies in Lisbon was tough but so rewarding! It taught me great time management, and I’d recommend it to anyone who gets the chance. My master’s thesis, inspired by my work, was even published in a scientific journal — a proud moment that made all the hard work feel worth it!
This experience taught me that true innovation comes from deeply understanding what you’re working on. I’m passionate about continuous improvement because I believe learning and growing are key to making a real impact!
Congratulations on your PRINCE2® certification!
What keeps you motivated daily and how do you stay inspired through challenges?
Balancing a full-time job with a weekend course was tough but rewarding, like managing my master’s and work in Lisbon. Now that I’ve earned my certification, I’m excited for the Practitioner exam in February! Staying motivated means setting goals, celebrating wins, and embracing challenges for growth and success!
You mentioned something about a personal development plan.
Could you share more about how it works and what’s included in it?
At Civitta, Senior Project Managers aiming for Associate Partner work with a development advisor to create a growth plan. My plan includes earning certifications, hitting sales targets, and strengthening my business development skills, such as selling projects with specific partners.
Since October, I’ve achieved two out of five goals, including my PRINCE2® Foundation certification, and have made progress in teamwork. While sales targets are challenging, I’m confident I’ll hit them soon!
Can you share a standout project from your 5+ years in IT project management and its impact on your career?
A key project for my growth was a two-to three-month initiative that sharpened my skills in communication, documentation, alignment, and risk management, even though it didn’t launch.
One unforgettable moment from the project was when a team member took a bold, unconventional approach to secure payment from a client — showing me that sometimes, stepping outside your comfort zone and thinking differently is the key to navigating complex situations.
How would you describe your professional philosophy and how has it shaped your career?
“You are on your own, and no one is coming to save you — you must take full responsibility for your actions and projects.” As a project manager, my goal isn’t just to finish tasks but to make sure the project succeeds.
Success is about taking ownership, asking questions, and putting the project first. Facing challenges and seeking clarity helps me grow, build teamwork, and achieve great results.
What’s something about you that your colleagues might not know?
I’m generally an open book – if someone asks me something, I’m always happy to share. But one thing they might not know is that I like to joke that I can predict project outcomes like a weather forecast: “It might be cloudy, with a chance of… it depends.”
In project management, so much is unpredictable, and sometimes you just have to acknowledge the uncertainty. I think that sense of humor, combined with the ability to forecast potential outcomes, even if not always accurately, is what helps me navigate the complexities of projects. It’s all about expecting the unexpected.
Lastly, what advice would you give to someone joining Civitta – what qualities matter most?
If you’re considering joining Civitta, my biggest advice is to embrace the freedom and opportunities this environment offers. Here, you can be yourself, speak up, and bring your ideas to life without unnecessary restrictions.
The key qualities for success here are focus, boldness in sharing ideas, and a strong work ethic. Civitta gives you the tools to grow, but it’s up to you to take initiative, embrace challenges, and collaborate across teams.If you’re ready to put in the effort, this is a place where you can thrive!