Career Opportunity Day Guides Students to Professional Future

In the Small Assembly Hall of UL representatives of different companies and organizations such as AIESEC, the Baltic-American Freedom Foundation (BAFF), Rimi, Coca-Cola Hellenic, the State Employment Agency, Lattelecom, DnB NORD Bank and others offered students placement, job and study-abroad opportunities. At the fair students could meet their would-be employers, find out about companies’ expectations and job requirements, as well as submit CV and apply for a placement or job. Nikita, a third year student of the UL Faculty of Computing attended the Career Opportunity Day and was of the opinion that such an event is a much better chance of getting a job or placement; “if students have face-to-face contact to potential employers, it helps them decide whether they want to work for a particular company and to what degree expectations coincide with reality.” Lasma, Asnate and Krista from the Faculty of Physics and Mathematics came to the fair with a desire to get summer work or a placement in their field of study and were surprised to see so many IT companies there. “We thought that marketing specialists are not needed any more, but the Career Opportunity Day proved the contrary,” the girls said. Many companies provided application forms and the girls filled in them as beacons of hope. They were also impressed by great opportunities to study abroad. Erika Peipina, a representative of DnB NORD Bank, said that students’ interest towards potential job and placement’s opportunities was high. Ilmars Jansons, Coca-Cola Hellenic Baltics Sales Department Training Manager, also affirmed attendees’ activity and desire to work for a good and stable company. Moreover, Coca-Cola Hellenic offered a paid management trainee position for undergraduates. Similar to other companies, this position was also for all students of UL without required previous experience but with one important condition - desire and motivation to be responsible and active. Students also had the opportunity to listen to experts and professionals and received useful information for their successful career development. In the Small Assembly Hall of UL there were such lecturers as Kaspars Racenajs, a lawyer and labour rights consultant at the bureau of Free Trade Union Confederation of Latvia; Arta Biruma, head of Eiro Personals, experienced consultant and coach, a member of International Coach Federation (ICF); Ervins Labanovskis, Director of Entrepreneurship Coordination Centre, Riga City Council; Ilze Skrebele-Stikane, project manager, Investment and Development Agency of Latvia; Kristofs Blaus, founder and CEO, Creative Mobile; Reinis Zitmanis, founder and CEO, Mediaparks Internet solutions agency. Zitmanis’ lecture was particularly valuable, inspiring and motivating. For successful participation in business activities students were introduced to business particularities and rules. Telling about his first experience, Zitmanis encouraged young people to start their own businesses. He also revealed that the success factors are peace and inner contentment. “We must not be greedy and set unrealistic goals. We must be mentally happy and glad for what we have.” Do not fall into the trap of business! He also stressed that „your own businesses may not be an end in itself. It may be just an instrument for earning money morally, with your own ideas and work. If you honestly believe in your idea, it will be easy to convince others.” The fair and lectures gave the impression that many companies are ready to open their doors for students studying Economics, Business and Information Technology. As we know, highly qualified professionals are demanded in a crowded job market each and every time, so there is no cause for concern about their professional future in Latvia.

Translated by students of the professional study programme Translator of the University of Latvia.