After 8 years at 'Nova Televiziya' – I continued in the field of communications

Introduce yourself in a few sentences..

My name is Natalia Gerdzhikova. I graduated from EГ 'Bertolt Brecht' in Pazardzhik with a French language, after which I continued my education with a major in 'Bulgarian Philology' at Sofia University 'St. Kliment Ohridski'. I have a master's degree in 'Business Administration' from the Francophone Business Institute (ESFAM), which was conducted in partnership with the University of Nantes.

My professional path began as a reporter in the news at 'Nova Televiziya', where for 8 years I gained experience in the vast and dynamic world of journalism. Today I continue to develop in the field of communications, but as an expert in 'Corporate Communications' at FANTASTIKO GROUP, where I have the incredible luck to work with friends and professionals.

What did you dream of becoming in your childhood years?

As a child, I dreamed of becoming a lawyer. I have always had a strong sense of justice – regardless of whether it was about school disputes or conversations at home, they always joked that I had an opinion on all matters. However, over time, life took me down a different path, without me even aiming for it - I became a news reporter. Working as a journalist taught me to tell stories, to ask questions, to seek answers and to be critical. I learned how important it is to listen carefully to what the other side says and to take responsibility for every word spoken. I may not have become a lawyer by profession, but the desire to defend causes, to stand behind meaningful ideas, remains and continues to guide me even today.

At what age did you earn your first money? Tell us an interesting story?

This is a very pleasant story with the scent of oil rose, which takes me back to my childhood years in the village of Rozino. When I was little, I spent a lot of time with my grandmother and grandfather, who grew roses. The roses bloom in May, we would get up at 4 a.m. and go to pick the fresh flowers, still covered in dew. After that, we would take the full bags with the scent of oil rose to the collection point. There, to avoid any hard feelings, everyone received their reward according to the amount of roses picked. Every adventure in the village ended with writing an essay about the experience - my grandmother was very keen on us having fun, but also teaching us about work and discipline. Over the years, I realized that the greatest reward was not the money earned for another ice cream or new clothes, but those shared moments in childhood with family that will never fade.

What are the main factors and examples that shape us as individuals at an early age and form our interests? What is your recipe for curiosity, sources and wells of information and inspiration at this stage of our human development?

First and foremost, the main factor for me has always been family. I grew up in an environment where reading was part of my daily life and it was not an obligation, but a pleasure. I remember how I insisted to my mother to start school at the age of 6, even though the backpack was bigger than me. In primary school and high school, my teachers also had a great influence, especially those in literature and foreign languages. They were true inspirers who awakened my interest in humanities, so later this became a professional path of development. The environment I found myself in and the friends I met also play an important role in shaping the person I am today. I cannot fail to mention my experience in the media, the reporting work sharpened my intuition, taught me to think critically and to accept the other point of view without judgment. My meetings with so many people with different professions and interests enriched me not only professionally but also as a person.

As for curiosity - we cannot know everything, but we can strive to learn more and more. As I mentioned above, I have loved reading since I was little and to this day, there is always something that captures my interest, be it a new book or a news article. The close people around me often note that I am always aware of the information flow and I rarely miss any news. I try to inform myself from different sources, not to take everything at face value of what is written, to check and compare information, to look for nuances in what I read, because sometimes they are of essential importance.

Has there been any significant change in your perceptions in a more mature age about what motivates you to do or not do something?

Nothing should happen at any cost. With experience over the years, what motivates me is no longer so influenced by external approval, expectations, or the desire to prove myself. My personal motivation is related to my sense of whether it makes sense. I do not do something just because I have to or because it is expected from the other side, I do it if I see value – for me, for the people around me, for the idea I stand behind.  

Whose decision was it where to pursue higher education and what to study? Was this decision correct, looking at it from today's perspective?

What to study and in which field to develop was my personal choice, and for all my decisions, I have been supported by the closest people around me.  I think that nowadays it is not particularly important what you have graduated in education, but what you can do, in what you are an expert. In my opinion, accumulating diplomas is not enough, experience and continuous development are needed.

Share more about your interests, knowledge, skills, and hobbies?

Although I no longer cover political topics, they still pique my interest and I continue to follow them with particular attention, because it is important for me to have a civic position on issues that affect our future. Sports and walks in the mountains are also among my favorite activities. Lately, I appreciate silence in nature more and more. Along with all this,  one of my greatest pleasures is to travel, I love to discover not only new cities but also different cultures, to learn new things, to combine the useful with the pleasant. Traveling inspires me and broadens my worldview, I strive to spend more time on experiences with my closest people.

Would you change your profession today and which fields of activity capture your interest?

Working in the field of communications brings me dynamism, gives me the opportunity to be in contact with different people, to tell their stories, in this way I continue to build on the experience I have so far. Whatever I work on, I will always seek that variety that I have had so far in my daily life, because it energizes me.

They say that personal branding is everything that people say about you when you are not in the same room with them. What would you like to hear today?

I would like to hear that I am a professional in what I do – a person who approaches work commitments with responsibility and persistence. It would be valuable for me to hear that I uphold my principles and keep my word – not only in a professional but also in a personal sense. If after every meeting, conversation, or joint project, the people around me leave with the feeling that they have worked with an honest, open, and valuable person, then I have done my job well.

Emotional intelligence, adaptability, and flexibility, as well as our soft skills are key conditions for success in recent years. How do you cope with daily life challenges to stay in good shape and mood?

There is no universal formula for dealing with daily challenges, but I am definitely not one of those people whose work commitments end with the end of the workday. Over the years, I have learned to prioritize tasks in my notebook. I try to focus on things that depend on me and to adapt quickly to new situations, without unnecessary stress. Sports, walks in the mountains, and escaping for a few days from the city also keep me in shape, and sometimes even serve as a source of inspiration for new ideas.

What are the most important conclusions you have drawn so far for maintaining proper communication considering the different characters of the people you meet daily  – colleagues, friends, close ones?

Every day we communicate with different people who have their own temperament, thinking, and communication style. What works with one person may create tension with another. One of the most important things is to listen to each other and accept the other point of view, not to approach prematurely and not to rush to conclusions. Honest and open communication in relationships is essential, whether it is a conversation with colleagues, friends, or close ones.

What do you think about money? What is their influence on your life? What is your advice to people who often ask themselves questions related to money and how sufficient they are?

Money is a means, not an end. They cannot bring us either inner harmony or lasting happiness, but they can give us security and freedom. Security, so that we can meet our basic needs, and freedom, to choose how to live, what professional or personal decisions to make. The problem is that society instills the opinion that 'more' means better. In fact, everyone invests a different meaning in the word 'enough', so it is important for a person to often ask himself the question: 'How much is enough for me?'.  

What is the most valuable career advice you would give to people?

Positions in the labor book are not important, try to accumulate skills in different areas. If you are not sure in which field you want to develop – try, do not stop challenging yourself and do not be afraid to change direction. And when you find yourself at a crossroads and have to make a choice - think about what the environment is like in a company, who you work for, and whose dreams you are fulfilling. Orient yourself towards employers whose values match your own.