Internship and Career Days coming to Kauno kolegija on 15 October
On 15 October, Kauno kolegija’s Internship and Career Days will bring together more than 50 organisations. Aurimas Galkontas, Head of the Student Affairs and Career Unit, says he is pleased that the event continues to attract a large number of organisations ready not only to present job and internship opportunities, but also to share their experience and help students plan their professional futures.
‘We particularly value the involvement of our event partners. Their support and willingness to contribute to the event show that organisations are interested not only in attracting future employees, but also in building long-term relationships with the academic community. This kind of collaboration enables us to develop the event consistently and provide students with an ever-growing range of opportunities,’ says A. Galkontas.
Focus on volunteering and international careers
The Head of the Student Affairs and Career Unit emphasises that this year the aim is to broaden students’ understanding of the career opportunities available to them. For this reason, the event will focus not only on businesses and the jobs and internships they offer, but also on volunteering and international careers.
‘We will welcome partners from abroad, and students will also have the opportunity to learn more about the opportunities offered by the UNINOVIS European University Alliance,’ says A. Galkontas.
According to him, it is no coincidence that this year’s event slogan, ‘Unexpected Connections’, remains unchanged. As A. Galkontas explains, it is intended to remind students that a career path does not always begin with a job advert or a CV being sent out.
‘Sometimes, all it takes is one unexpected meeting, a conversation with an organisation’s representative or a new acquaintance to open up an opportunity that a student had never even considered before. The Internship and Career Days are designed precisely to create opportunities for these kinds of encounters,’ notes the Head of the Student Affairs and Career Unit.
A new initiative at the networking fair: prizes for participants
The Head of the Student Affairs and Career Unit reveals that this year the aim is to encourage students to take an even more active role in the event and feel more confident about making connections with potential employers. To support this, an additional motivational initiative has been introduced: students who actively engage with representatives of participating organisations will have the opportunity to enter a prize draw and win Kauno kolegija merchandise.
‘This initiative directly reflects the slogan of our event, ‘Unexpected Connections’. We want to encourage students to step outside their comfort zone, approach organisations they may not have considered before, ask questions and discover new opportunities. Sometimes the most interesting professional opportunities arise precisely where you least expect them,’ says A. Galkontas.
He adds that the hope is for students to leave the event with more than just prizes or informational materials – with new ideas, valuable connections and perhaps even their first job interview already arranged.
Meetings with organisations can help students plan their careers
According to A. Galkontas, students often believe that it is only worth attending the Internship and Career Days when they are actively looking for a job or internship. However, he emphasises that the event is intended for all students, including first-year students.
‘The earlier a student starts exploring the labour market, the easier it is to understand what skills and competences are required for their chosen profession, what opportunities different organisations offer and how to plan their career with purpose. The networking fair is an excellent opportunity to have informal conversations, ask questions that you might not feel comfortable asking during a job interview and find out what organisations expect from future professionals,’ says A. Galkontas.
In his view, the greatest value of the Internship and Career Days lies in the connections students make, as these can lead to an internship, a job offer, mentoring opportunities or joint projects.
‘That is why we are especially grateful to our partners and all the participating organisations that devote their time, share their experience and contribute to the professional development of future specialists,’ says A. Galkontas, adding: ‘Our slogan, ‘Unexpected Connections’, best reflects what we want to convey to students: come along, connect with others, stay curious and do not be afraid to approach even organisations you had never considered before. Perhaps that unexpected conversation will become the beginning of your professional career.’
Date and time: 15 October, 12:00–15:00
Location: Pramonės Ave. 20, Kauno kolegija
Please note that photography and filming will take place during the event. Therefore, you may appear in photographs or video recordings from the event, which may be published in publicly accessible spaces, including social media, the media, and further event communication.