A jubilee, 20th edition of the Engineering Job and Entrepreneurship Fair at the Silesian University of Technology
Nearly a hundred exhibitors, job offers, internships and job placements, the opportunity to talk directly with employers and the opportunity to learn about the expectations of the labour market – the 20th edition of the Autumn Engineering Job and Entrepreneurship Fair took place at the Silesian University of Technology. The event once again combined the academic environment with business, giving students, graduates, and secondary school students the opportunity to learn about career paths.
The importance of the fair as a space of cooperation between science and the economy was emphasized by the Deputy Minister of Science and Higher Education Prof. Marek Gzik. As he pointed out, the 20th edition of this event is proof that such initiatives bring benefits to both young people and employers.
- The fair is a great example of cooperation between the economy, science, and higher education. Students can find internship and job offers here, and employers have the opportunity to present their expectations regarding the competences and needs of the labour market. This is a valuable initiative that benefits both parties, - said Minister Gzik.
The role of the fair in presenting the potential of the University was discussed by the Rector of the Silesian University of Technology Prof. Marek Pawełczyk. As he emphasized, the event allows to show both the activities of students and the opportunities offered by companies looking for future employees.
- I think that the key to the success of the fair is its offer, presented in two ways. On the one hand, we show the activity of student research clubs, which allows us to better understand the interests and potential of students. Thanks to this, employers can also see what staff the Silesian University of Technology educates. On the other hand, the fair gathers numerous exhibitors who offer students and graduates the opportunity to find an internship, start a job and, above all, establish contacts that may result in the future, after graduation - emphasized the Rector.
He added that the fair is also an opportunity for people facing the choice of further educational path to check what career prospects are associated with education at the Silesian University of Technology.
The importance of cooperation between the University and local enterprises and local government was highlighted by the President of Gliwice Katarzyna Kuczyńska-Budka. She stressed that the city is committed to the idea of young, educated people not only gaining knowledge in Gliwice, but also to associating their professional and personal future with the city.
- We care very much that young people, especially well-educated ones, find a job in Gliwice and connect their future with our city. That is why we are changing the city to become an increasingly attractive place for them to live. We want them to be able to get education, get a good job, settle down, and start families here - said President Katarzyna Kuczyńska-Budka.
The practical dimension of the fair was emphasized by Michał Szymanowski, Chairman of the Student Self-Government of the Silesian University of Technology. As he noted, students of technical universities often want to gain professional experience while studying, therefore direct contact with employers is of particular importance for them.
- The fair is of great importance for students of technical universities, who often want to gain professional experience while studying. They are looking for opportunities for internships, work during the holiday period or additional employment during their free time. Therefore, participation in such an event as a job fair gives them a chance to get to know different offers and find a suitable career path – he emphasized.
As he added, the fair allows not only to introduce oneself to a potential employer, but also to obtain information about the specifics of work, employment conditions, and possible remuneration.
One of the new participants of this year’s edition of the Engineering Job and Entrepreneurship Fair at the Silesian University of Technology was the European Space Agency. Jan Karolewski from ESA, working at the agency in the field of ground station software, explained that the presence of the Agency at the fair is connected with the search for young talent on the Polish market.
- As the European Space Agency, we are trying to attract new talents from the Polish market, because interest in space is growing. We promote such opportunities as internships, European Graduate Trainee, Young Professionals and Research Fellows. These are proposals addressed to young specialists, which allow them to start a career in the space sector - said Jan Karolewski.
The ESA representative also stressed that students of the Silesian University of Technology have potential that can be used in this industry. He drew attention to projects carried out by young people, including work on rockets and small CubeSat satellites.
- I have already had the opportunity to talk with students of the Silesian University of Technology. One can see the interest in space, and young people carry out really amazing projects. We want to give them a platform and an opportunity to establish cooperation with us so that they can further develop their skills - he noted.
Among the exhibitors was also Mostostal. Aleksandra Kuchowicz from the Employee Development and Communication Department stressed that participation in the fair is an important element of the long-term cooperation of the company with the Silesian University of Technology. The company participates in both the autumn and spring editions of the event, treating them not only as an opportunity to recruit, but also to build recognition among students.
- Participation in the fair is one of the most important elements in the process of acquiring employees. It is also an opportunity to present ourselves at the University and show that we are a stable company with a long history and an established position on the labour market. Last year we celebrated 80 years of activity - emphasized Aleksandra Kuchowicz.
As she explained, the contacts made during the fair can also bring effects after some time. Students who are just starting or are in the process of studying return to the company for internships, job placements, or job search.
The jubilee edition of the fair showed that the event has several functions at the same time: It allows one to establish contacts with employers, helps students plan professional development and allows companies to meet potential candidates. As Barbara Odoszewska from the Student Career Office of the Silesian University of Technology informed, this year’s edition was attended by nearly a hundred exhibitors representing employers, student organizations, science clubs and institutions supporting academic entrepreneurship and professional development.
- We also have organizations that support academic entrepreneurship, offer the opportunity to participate in courses and training, - she said.
The fair is not only about job offers and internships. Participants can use the advisory zone, get tips on application documents, and learn how to present themselves to the employer.
The event was accompanied by a conference “TOGETHER TO THE DIPLOMA. Modern advice in education, on the university and on the labour market,” addressed to school career advisors. Its aim was to present the realities of studying at the Silesian University of Technology and trends on the labour market, so that the acquired knowledge could later be addressed to students facing the choice of further educational path.
