Staff Spotlight: Jiří Buchar

 | 

Jiří Buchar is a business operations specialist at the NC State European Center in Prague, a unit of the Office of Global Engagement, a position in which he works closely with staff both in Prague and in Raleigh to maintain the center’s financial and functional operations.

Tell us a little bit about yourself.

I am from the Czech Republic (Czechia), located in central Europe, and I currently live in its capital city, Prague. Originally I come from the north of Czechia, which borders Germany, and I moved to Prague to study at the University of Economics, where I am now finishing my master’s degree in corporate finance. Before joining NC State, I studied in Austria for one semester, for which I had to leave my previous position as a junior accountant at Computer Sciences Corporation.

How long have you been with NC State and the Office of Global Engagement?

After returning from my studies abroad in Austria last year, I started to look for a new job. At first, I wanted to work for one of the Big Four accounting firms, but after having an interview at NC State Prague, I was absolutely charmed by the institution and I decided to join the university instead.

Tell us what you do in a few sentences.

As a business operations specialist, my job involves coordinating financial operations of the institute and ensuring its constant operative functionality and liquidity.

What’s your favorite thing about your work?

The reason why I joined NC State is to have the unique experience of working for a university which originated in the U.S. and became established in Europe, which can be rarely found anywhere else in the world. It has been great to be able to support this wonderful transatlantic connection.

Tell us one thing we might be surprised to learn about you.

I have a great passion for playing chess.

What do you like to do outside of work?

I practice prana vaishya yoga, which is a combination of yoga postures with the main emphasis on breath control.

What’s one thing on your desk you brought from home?

I brought a cereal container to keep my cereal fresh.

What’s your favorite travel destination?

The Alps.