Arnas Bozys’s path into construction began long before university.
He says the decision to choose construction engineering was not accidental — it was a natural continuation of what had surrounded him since childhood.
“From an early age, I was building construction sets. My father worked in the construction sector in Norway for many years, so we always had woodworking machines at home and construction magazines filled with all kinds of buildings lying around. What truly confirmed that I wanted to work in construction was building our family home with a timber frame. We spent long evenings after school working with different woodworking machines and completing each step together. That’s probably why I stayed what I jokingly call a ‘wood guy’. I already knew what I would study back in the 11th grade,” Arnas says.
Today, he studies construction engineering, building structures with a specialization in steel structures, and works at Gilesta.
When theory meets reality
At first, combining work and studies seemed difficult, but over time this combination became Arnas’s biggest advantage.
“Initially, it really seemed challenging to balance these two seemingly very different areas of life. But lectures became much more interesting when, in my fourth year of studies, I could finally apply theory directly on my construction site. Seeing how your knowledge turns into real solutions and helps the team achieve its goals was the best motivation for me. Of course, like any diligent student, I sometimes run out of time — so work still gets finished late at night,” he says.
From DIY work to a large‑scale project
Although Gilesta is Arnas’s first long‑term employer, he had already gained diverse construction experience before joining the company.
“I’ve personally mixed concrete and hammered nails in general construction work before. And there was quite a variety of it — foundation pouring, timber frame and roof installation, landscaping works, decorative brick façades, terrace structures and decking. I also had some hands‑on experience preparing plans and drawings for CNC machines,” the project engineer explains.
Arnas first learned about Gilesta through colleagues and fellow students, but the final decision was driven by the opportunity to work on a truly unique project.
“I first heard about Gilesta after a site visit they organized to the Tautos namai project under construction on Tauras Hill. I couldn’t attend myself, but the stories from colleagues and classmates really caught my attention. While looking for an internship, I noticed the phone number of my now‑colleague Jurgita. When I received an offer to join the Tautos namai team — where solutions are highly diverse and timber and steel structures play a key role — I didn’t hesitate for a second and have no regrets about my choice,” he says.
First steps: from uncertainty to confidence
Arnas remembers his first weeks as an intense but important stage.
“At first, it was honestly quite scary. The very first day was especially stressful — I thought: what can I, still a ‘green’ student who hasn’t fully digested all the theory yet, contribute to such a large team? But already in the first week, I was given clear tasks. No one pushed me to do things I didn’t know how to do, and help was abundant — every colleague was willing to support me. Because of that, integrating into the team was truly smooth,” he recalls.
What surprised him most was the pace and reality of construction work.
“I was probably most impressed by the speed of structural works. As construction engineering students, we rarely get to experience the real pace of a project, so practice gave me a new perspective. You realize that solutions which may seem simple and achievable on paper are not always easy to implement in real‑life conditions,” Arnas explains.
A job without a typical day
Today, Arnas works as a Project Engineer and is responsible for the project’s timber elements — from structures to detailed solutions.
“At the moment, I’m responsible for nearly all timber components of the project — from floors and walls to railings, the stage, and acoustic reflectors. Together with colleagues, we search for completely non‑standard solutions. I consult not only with Lithuanian companies but also with international partners, work closely with acousticians and the project’s architects — so there simply are no typical days.
Has a solution changed? Have we found an optimization? Is a subcontractor facing issues with structures, finishes, or documentation? Are samples arriving? Are company representatives or architects visiting? Every week brings its own challenges,” he says.
Why Gilesta?
Asked what motivates him the most, Arnas first mentions the team and the nature of the work.
“My biggest motivator has always been — and still is — working with a team on complex solutions. Breaking your head over problems, sometimes even getting frustrated, is what really drives me forward. Gilesta offers a great opportunity here — work that’s not ‘from the office only’. You can discuss solutions live with the production team and work on site throughout the entire project lifecycle — from foundations to final finishes,” he says.
Advice for those just starting out
Arnas doesn’t hide the fact that the beginning can be challenging — but practice is the fastest way to grow.
“Interesting projects, unconventional solutions, friendly colleagues, and highly experienced professionals who are not afraid to share their knowledge — I’m truly happy I had the opportunity to do my internship here at Gilesta. I think the best proof of that is that I didn’t hesitate for a second when I was offered the chance to continue working here,” he concludes.