The Humans of smrtPhone
Our “smrtie of the Month” is a versatile team player who brings boundless energy, curiosity, and a love for helping others.
Name
Andrei Budan
Title / Role in the Company
I am part of the First Level Support team. My job is to be there for people who need us. I help them to understand the system better or to fix issues they may encounter.
How long have you worked for smrtPhone?
I started working at smrtPhone in July of 2023.
What’s your background?
Right now, I am studying Industrial Design and Engineering during the day. Coming out of high school, I enrolled in another university that was focused on Electrical Engineering but then COVID hit and I stopped attending my classes. I wasn’t that interested in the subject, afterall. So, I took a gap year and started working for my sister’s friend who owned her own clothing brand.
She did all kinds of customization, and because I was the only employee besides her, I was running the embroidery machines, printers, and presses. I would use software programs to upload the designs to the machines and manage all of the apps. I learned I really liked that side of things, so I applied to design school. I’m in my last year now.
During the first year of my current school, I met Alessandro and we became good friends. Then he joined smrtPhone and introduced me to the company.
What was your first job?
When I was 14, I wanted to earn my own money, so I started delivering magazines. I walked from building to building with 20 kilos (44 lbs) of magazines in my backpack. I stopped after a while because it was too hard for me as a teenager.
What do you like about working for smrtPhone?
I like the culture at smrtPhone. People are open, friendly, and take a human approach to work. Everyone does their own jobs, but we all also work together well as a whole.
I like that I can work from home and I like the schedule. I’m not a morning person; I like to start my day slowly. Because of the time difference to the U.S., I start work at 4 PM, which is a good match for me. It gives me time to focus on everything else, like my schooling and taking my dog out.
Describe smrtPhone in 3 words:
- Friendly.
- Efficient.
- Innovative.
Is there a particular moment/project at smrtPhone that stands out and makes you feel proud?
I like to look back at how we handled the initial A2P 10DLC requirement. The rules were enforced but also changing all the time. It was a big shift for our clients, and it was out of our control and we only had a little bit of information. I look back at that time, and I feel proud of how we, as a company, were able to keep our heads up and keep going. Especially for the Support team, who was dealing directly with the affected clients every day, we were at our lowest, and yet we managed to look toward the future instead of being blocked there.
What do you like to do in your free time?
I don’t have much free time because of school and work happening at the same time. On the weekends I usually hang out with my friends, explore different parts of the country with my girlfriend and my dog, enjoy some nice coffee in the sun, walk around Brasov, etc.
I was born in a city much smaller than Brasov, so I still enjoy exploring here. I love being surrounded by mountains, walking everywhere, and taking in the beautiful views.
I like meeting up with my friends and having fun. It recharges my batteries for the week.
Name something that is on your “bucket list”
Currently, I just want to finish my bachelor’s degree. After that, I want to start traveling and maybe learn other languages. I want to learn about new cultures firsthand.
And, if I’m really thinking ahead, maybe get rich.
What is a fun fact people might not know about you?
Before I got my driver’s license, I used to ride my bicycle a lot. I used to climb a hill in my hometown and then go downhill racing as fast as possible. I’m a little bit of an adrenaline junkie.
