The story of Zsuzsanna Judit Takács is not about spectacular career building, but about persistent, value-creating work and commitment to the community. The 70-year-old professional was born in Tata and has remained faithful to her hometown her whole life.
She began her studies with a focus on biology and chemistry, before graduating from the Faculty of Food Industry at the University of Horticulture. She started her career at the Tatabánya Abattoir and subsequently worked as a food hygienist for nearly a decade. This period was formative for her: it was here that she learned the fundamentals of communication, negotiation and cooperation, which accompanied her throughout her entire career.
A truly exciting phase of his career began in the late 1980s, when following a reorganisation he became the county executive director of METESZ (Federation of Technical and Scientific Societies). This position opened up new horizons: he had to organise, coordinate and develop all at once. Later he also managed the secretariat of the chamber of engineers and then the chamber of architects, creating a unique collaboration between the various organisations. This model not only resulted in more efficient operation, but also contributed to the resolution of professional conflicts.
Interestingly, Zsuzsanna never experienced it as a disadvantage that she worked in a male-dominated field. Although at the beginning of her career there were times when her professional background was questioned, working together and proven performance quickly brought her acceptance. „We learned this together,” she referred to the period when the chamber system was still evolving.
In her story, the community plays a prominent role. She has not only worked in professional organisations, but for a long time she also worked in the Által-ér Association—an organisation established in 1994 for the restoration and green-minded development of the Old Lake of Tata, its watershed and the wider region—and she is still active in the local climate community to this day. For Tata is not merely a place of residence, but an identity and an attachment.
Balancing family and work was a natural yet serious challenge for her. Raising her children, daily commuting and the period of building a house simultaneously meant physical and mental strain. She feels that her generation possessed extraordinary resilience, whilst at the same time she believes that the situation is easier for today's young people in certain respects thanks to more flexible working arrangements and technological advancement.
Among his personal experiences, he has especially fond memories of his daughter's graduation in Venice and his son's Hungarian championship victories, which brought him not only pride but also the fulfilment of his parental role. „It is a good thing to be a parent,” he put it simply, yet meaningfully.
She speaks in a balanced way about opportunities for women in the region. She believes that Komárom-Esztergom County is in a relatively good position: there are opportunities for both skilled and less skilled women, whether in production, administration, or the public sector. She highlights that an increasing number of women are also appearing in leadership positions, and that family roles are becoming more balanced within the younger generations.
Regarding the future, rather than formulating grand plans, he sets simple yet important goals: to remain active, to work for a while longer, to spend more time with his family and grandchildren, and to preserve the joy of movement – whether it is rowing or skiing.
Zsuzsanna's story shows that success is not always spectacular. Sometimes it lies in someone doing their job reliably, consistently and with humanity over many years – while building community, forging connections and leaving a mark on the lives of others.
The interview was conducted within the framework of the WIN – Interreg Danube Region project.
