With a good mood and high expectations, Nikita KEBIKOV, a young specialist, began his career in the Kostyukovich Forestry. The newly minted head of the mechanical repair workshops of the "Kommunary" logging point shared with the "GK" correspondent why he chose the forestry industry and what his plans for the future are.

Nikita entered the profession consciously. He grew up in the agrarian town of Rechitsa in the Cherikov District, where the forest was part of his life.

— Several factors contributed to my choice of future profession. First, I love the forest very much and have been going there since childhood. Second, my grandfather was a forester and worked in forestry. Third, my father is a hunter. He introduced me to this business. Therefore, putting it all together, I think the forestry sector is the best choice for me: I will continue the work started by my grandfather and will not betray the passion instilled in me by my father. My parents supported me, at least they didn't try to dissuade me, — Nikita recounts.

After school, the young man entered the Belarusian State Technological University, Faculty of Forest Engineering and Design. He chose a purely masculine specialty — engineer-mechanic of forest transport machines.

— At university, I liked everything, primarily the process itself, — Nikita Kebikov recalls. — There were difficulties during sessions, but I coped with them. The most memorable was the practice on the basis of BSTU at the educational-experimental forestry "Negorelsky", where we went for two to three weeks. There are garages with a variety of forestry machinery, where one could both practice and study in detail some nodes and aggregates, and also learn to drive a tractor, a forwarder, a harvester. I really enjoyed mastering new technology, which is very different from a regular tractor: a joystick instead of a steering wheel — that's cool!

The young engineer-mechanic was assigned to the Kostyukovich Forestry. He was pleased that Kostyukovich and Cherikov are, as they say, neighbors. The young man has a car, so an hour's drive and he is with his parents.

— Another plus is that there is railway communication in Kostyukovich, and the town is larger than Cherikov in population, and the infrastructure is perfectly developed, — the young person reasons.

I asked Nikita how he was welcomed at his first workplace.

— They welcomed me warmly, positively, — modestly says the new head of the mechanical workshops, who now has five workers under his supervision, among whom are those who are much older.

However, the young specialist has no time to get up to speed. He needs to adapt to his first workplace, get to know the team, and set up his life…

By the way, the forestry enterprise allocated and pays for a rented one‑bedroom apartment for him. The organization made payments, set the maximum allowances for job difficulty and intensity, and increased the tariff salary by 10 percent. The young specialist also received a scholarship for the summer month and material assistance equal to his salary. During a meeting of young specialists with the district head, he learned a lot of useful information about loan opportunities at minimal interest.

Mentorship is well developed at the Kostyukovichi Forestry Enterprise. Chief mechanic Alexey Alexandrovich Smolikov, an experienced specialist in his field, became a mentor to Nikita Kebikov. Such generational continuity helps in the work.

– I am grateful to work in a cohesive team of like‑minded people, where everyone understands that results can only be achieved together. I would also note that valuable knowledge gained at university, as well as the mentorship system that exists in the forestry enterprise, helps us cope with complex tasks, – added Nikita Alexandrovich.

Ahead of the young man is military service; after that he will return to the forestry enterprise to serve the required term. He does not yet make plans for his future life, saying that time will tell. Possibly, in the future he will consider working at the Kostyukovichi Forestry Enterprise.

The young specialist’s dedication to his chosen profession and his determination have also been noted by the enterprise’s management. Olesya Sazonenko, deputy