First, flowers and bees, now the roar of a machine and the smell of fumes. Jelena Socharczuk, who has been working as a beekeeper throughout her life, tells us why she changed her job after becoming a grandmother. And it’s not because of earnings.
Jelena comes from Belarus, from the area of Stolpce in the Minsk region. She is a beekeeper by profession. Was she happy? She never complained although the work did not bring her satisfaction.
I’ve always been desperate. I needed to move, I love speed” – says Jelena in an interview for tut.by.
Accidental discovery
She soon got married, gave birth to two children. Home, family, and work in an apiary – the whirl of everyday life drew her in for good. Years passed, her children became adults and Jelena became a grandmother. Everything seemed to have worked out well, but the sense of emptiness did not leave her. She felt something was missing. What exactly – she learned quite accidentally.
I once came to a gas station, where a truck parking lot was next door. I saw a young couple coming out of the store and walking towards a truck. The man opened the door to the lady with such gallantry that my jaw dropped. I followed them for a long time. Then it dawned on me – I want to sit behind the wheel of such a vehicle and go on the road” – recalls Jelena Socharczuk.
She registered for the training to obtain a driving license the very next day.
One year of preparation
Jelena was preparing for a new profession all year long. She received a driving license and became a qualified international truck driver. She also obtained the right to transport dangerous goods.
She faced a chill wind while looking for a job.
It turned out that no one wants to hire a woman for such a position. All the more without internships and experience” – says Jelena.
In the end, she managed to get hired by a Russian company. Perhaps because the recruitment was also carried out by a woman. She got the engagement the same day.
“Prove them, girl, that a woman can do this job even better than the guys” – she heard from the deputy general manager who had interviewed her.
The first route
Soon, she set out on her first 3-week tour: Belarus – Czech Republic – Kazakhstan – Russia. Was she afraid? Of course. However, driving the huge machine, she felt more and more proud that she could do it.
I felt like a queen. I drove as if I was swimming on an endless road” – says Jelena.
Today, she has 5 years of work behind her, 900 thousand kilometers traveled and 19 visited countries. She often feels tired but never unhappy.
– I will work as long as my strength and health allow me. I will keep flowers and bees for the old age – assures Jelena.
Photo: Private archives of Jelena Socharczuk
