My Emergn journey: Arturs’ path from Junior Tester to Head of IT Operations

Meet Arturs Alberings, Head of IT Operations at Emergn. Arturs began his journey with us while still at university, growing together with the company through periods of change, technological advances, and organizational transformation. His career is a story of embracing opportunity, adapting to change, and finding purpose in both teamwork and technical challenges.

Tell us a bit about your backstory and how you got started

I had a fairly clear path into IT from the beginning. I enrolled in a bachelor’s program at university and, by my fourth year, was already doing an internship at a company called Dati, which, through several changes over the years, eventually became part of Emergn.

After my internship, I joined the company as a Junior Tester. About a year later, I had the chance to transition into a role focused on quality management. And from there, I became progressively more involved in administering internal systems – a focus I have maintained ever since.

What’s your role at Emergn, and how long have you been with the company

I first joined the company back in 2005, and today I’m the Head of IT Operations, a role I officially stepped into in August of last year. I still work hands-on with our systems, but a major part of my job now is leading the team – making sure we use our resources effectively and deliver strong, reliable support to the rest of Emergn.

The position comes with more responsibility, but I view that as a welcome challenge. It’s no longer only about keeping the technology running. It’s also about helping people grow, improving our ways of working, and constantly moving forward together as a team.

Tell us about the work you’re most proud of

In some ways, the best sign that we’re doing our job well is when no one notices us – if there are no support requests, it means everything is running smoothly. Still, there’s a lot of unseen work involved: maintaining and upgrading systems, keeping them secure, staying aligned with new technologies, and being ready to respond quickly to unexpected events.

Right now, one of the most interesting challenges is keeping up with the rapid changes in technology, especially around virtualization. With market shifts, acquisitions, and rising costs, we’re actively rethinking how we’ll shape our infrastructure over the next few years. It’s a complex task, but planning and driving these larger changes is something I genuinely enjoy.

How would you describe culture at Emergn

To me, Emergn’s culture is defined by its people. I especially appreciate those times when we gather in person. Whether it’s for a company-wide event, a celebration, or simply spending time together as a team. Since many of us work remotely, these face-to-face moments are invaluable for building real connections and strengthening our sense of unity.

It’s a place where friendships develop naturally and where helping each other is simply part of how we work. There’s a genuine spirit of collaboration, and it’s incredibly rewarding when colleagues take a moment to recognize your efforts or share positive feedback. Those “thank you” moments make the work behind the scenes feel seen and appreciated.

I also value the pride we take in how we present ourselves as a team. Clear communication, a professional attitude, and even small details like how we show up in meetings all contribute to building trust and confidence with others. These shared standards and values are a big part of what defines Emergn’s day-to-day culture.

Outside of work, what’s one thing people should know about you

Even outside of work, I like to keep learning. I regularly renew my technical certifications and stay up to date with developments in different areas of IT, often spending extra time studying for exams. I genuinely enjoy the challenge of studying and see it as key to growth in my field.

In my free time, I also love reading. Especially books on inspiration, leadership, and personal development. They offer fresh perspectives and motivate me to keep improving both personally and professionally.

What advice would you give your younger self or someone just starting out

My advice would be to focus on what genuinely excites and motivates you, rather than simply following what’s considered practical or lucrative. Discover the kind of work that you truly enjoy and let that guide your path. When you’re passionate about your work, you’ll naturally put in your best effort and are much more likely to achieve success.