PETOŠEVIĆ PEOPLE: Q&A with Pinelopi Voko

After joining our Tirana team in 2018 as an Administrative Assistant and becoming a Paralegal in 2020, psychologist Pinelopi Voko obtained the qualification of Trademark and Design Attorney in 2021. Pinelopi prepares, files and prosecutes trademark and industrial design applications, as well as customs watch applications. We asked her about her work, her hobbies, her favorite food, and much more.

1. How did you start your career in IP?

   My career in IP started unexpectedly when I came across a job announcement in the newspaper. The requirements of the position matched my qualifications at the time and after a quick online search, the field of IP seemed interesting and challenging.

2. What is the most challenging aspect of your work?

   Handling many tasks at the same time and prioritizing the most important ones.

3. What do you most enjoy doing at work?

   Working in an international environment and successfully completing my tasks.

4. What would you be working in, if you weren’t working in IP?

   Probably in the tourism sector, considering that I am very passionate about traveling and organizing trips.

5. What was the first job you’ve ever had?

   I was a part-time assistant at the Hellenic Foundation for Culture in Tirana while I was at university.

6. What is your favorite thing to do when you are not working?

   I like going out with friends, meeting new people, traveling and cooking at home.

7. What book did you read last?

   “Thirteen Candles in the Dark” by Greek author Menios Sakellaropoulos.

8. What is your favorite song/music at the moment?

   You will find all sorts of genres in my playlist, from traditional Albanian songs to Vivaldi, but “Makeba” by Jain is stuck in my mind at the moment.

9. What is your favorite dish of all time?

   That’s an easy one. I’m a pasta lover! You can create so many combinations and never get bored of it.

10. If you could meet anyone in the world, from the past or present, who would it be and why?

    Luís Figo, a Portuguese football player who also played for my favorite team, Real Madrid. Because of him I became very fond of football when I was a teenager, and even considered becoming a sports journalist.

11. What was your favorite subject in school and why?

    My favorite school subjects were English, because I liked learning foreign languages, and Literature, because I enjoyed analyzing literary texts.

12. What did you want to be when growing up?

    Journalist or psychologist. I eventually decided to study psychology.

13. Tell us three things most people don’t know about you.

    One of my eyes is black and the other one is brown (heterochromia); I used to sing at my university’s music club and have performed live concerts in various clubs in Tirana; and I am a Real Madrid fan.

14. If you could learn to do anything, what would it be?

    Programming because I like computers, I want to understand technology, and it is creative.

15. What is your biggest frustration about the world around you?

    Rude and arrogant people.

    16. What is the most important thing you have learned in the last five years?

    That life is too short and that you should live every single moment to the fullest.

16. What do you wish you could have told yourself at age 13?

    That life can be so unpredictable but eventually everything works out in its own way, despite all the struggles and difficulties.

17. What cities/countries have you lived in?

    I have lived in my hometown Berat, in central Albania, for seven years, in Thessaloniki, Greece, for 12 years, and I have been living in Tirana, Albania since 2008.

18. If you could live in another country of the 30+ countries where PETOŠEVIĆ operates, which would you pick and why?

    Budapest, because I loved the city and the people when I visited in 2009, but if our company opens a branch office in Spain – count me in!

19. If someone came to your city for 24 hours, where would you take them?

    I’d take them around the city center where you can find many sights, such as the Albanian history museum Bunk’Art 2, the Pyramid of Tirana, and the Clock Tower. Perhaps a quick cable car ride to Dajti Mountain would also be refreshing. Of course, I wouldn’t miss the opportunity to show them Tirana’s nightlife and a taste of our local cuisine.