Abstract
A paper on Valerijs Bitenieks, a graduate (1986) of the Faculty of Architecture and Civil Engineering of Riga Polytechnic Institute (RPI), reflects on the daily life of the Soviet students in the 1980s, the work of a young engineer while he was trying various opportunities in the labour market and the engineer’s growth as a successful contractor in the independent Latvia in the 21st century. It traces the life of V. Bitenieks from his childhood to the present day, paying attention to his professional activities. The research provides an insight into students’ internships and extracurricular activities during the Soviet era. Unpublished photographic material unknown to the general public has been obtained.
Highlights
Valerijs Bitenieks, a graduate (1986) of the Riga Polytechnic Institute (RPI) Faculty of Architecture and Civil Engineering, engineer and construction contractor, was chosen as the focus of the present research as one of the many students of the 1980s to describe how new specialists studied and trained during the Soviet era, how the study process took place, how specialists were allotted to their future places of employment, and how the career of graduate engineers was developed
Bitenieks became interested in construction and decided to study at RPI after returning from the service in the Soviet Army, when in June 1980 he started working in a construction team as a concreter in Western Electrical Networks (WEN)
Bitenieks was born and raised during the Soviet rule in the second half of the 20th century and was one of those who always tried to get ahead of time and define further goals. He was a typical Soviet student, he achieved his dream to gain a university degree and the qualification of an engineer. He has tried to bear the name of a civil engineer with honour both during the Soviet rule and in the restored Republic of Latvia
Summary
A paper on Valerijs Bitenieks, a graduate (1986) of the Faculty of Architecture and Civil Engineering of Riga Polytechnic Institute (RPI), reflects on the daily life of the Soviet students in the 1980s, the work of a young engineer while he was trying various opportunities in the labour market and the engineer’s growth as a successful contractor in the independent Latvia in the 21st century.
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Free) 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a call
