This month, Patryk Szablowinski shares where he grew up, the strongest influences in his life, and how and why he became a dental technician.
Please introduce yourself and where you work
Hi, my name is Patryk Szablowinski. I am a dental technician specialising in prosthetics. I work in a private dental laboratory in West Yorkshire.
Tell us about where you grew up and what your family was like
I grew up in a small resort town called Lazy on the coast of Baltic Sea in West Pomerania.
My family ran a hotel and a night club, so my childhood felt like a never ending seaside holiday! They are a bunch of loving and caring people, who take great pride from their work.
What led you to a career in dentistry?
The underlying force was a desire to make people happy, which I probably inherited from my parents.
I wanted to do something that matters and makes a change for the better in someone’s life.
Also, dentistry combines science and art which I consider to be my two strongest subjects.
What do you like the most about it?
It interests me and it challenges me every day. The fact that I can work utilising my artistic skills to help people only makes it better.
I feel accomplished when I achieve a harmonious balance between functionality and aesthetics designed to match with patient criteria.
Who/what have been the strongest influences in your life?
The most influential people have always been my closest family.
My mum taught me to work hard, aim high and respect others. She always encouraged and inspired me to achieve.
I moved out from family home when I was 16 to study, work and live in the UK. It seems like a crazy idea to me now, but thanks to her I became a very independent individual early in my life.
I live by the motto: ‘Its the journey that matters, not the destination.’
How would friends and acquaintances describe you?
They would probably describe me as organised, hard working, creative and stubborn.
Share with us something about yourself that you want to improve
This could be a long list…
I would like to improve my guitar skills. Every day I promise myself I will practice tomorrow.
How do you unwind outside of lab technical work?
I like to cycle and exercise at the gym to unwind from work.
Due to the nature of the laboratory environment, being stationary puts me into work mode. So I like to do the opposite to relax.
I also like to cook something fancy from time to time.
Where’s your favourite holiday destination?
Home. There’s simply no better place than home for me.
I love to go back to visit my relatives, eat delicious food and sunbathe on the beach.
What’s your favourite film?
Forrest Gump – masterpiece.
What music do you listen to?
I like almost any kind of music. But if I had to pick something that I could listen to every day, it would be Michael Jackson.
What was the last picture you took on your phone?
A mama snail carrying a baby snail on her shell in my garden. But 90% of my phone gallery is surprisingly taken by teeth!
Sum yourself up in three words
Curious, driven and free.
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