How to become a shark of the «blue oceans»: what do professionals advise?

13:46, October 24, 2017

A traditional career orientation meeting was held for the students of the programme «International Economics and Business», as well as the meeting of the International Expert Council of the programme

A career orientation meeting for students of the programme «International Economics and Business» (EPAS accredited) was held on Monday October 16. Over 100 students of the programme came to learn about the opportunities for internships and employment in leading international companies operating in Ekaterinburg.

Within the framework of the career guidance meeting, the International Council of International Economics and Business also took plave. The decision on this format of the Council was made as a result of an animated discussion between corporate partners, students and alumni who took part in the Council in April 2017. There was a need for a more detailed discussion of the vision on the graduates’ competencies. Within the framework of the career orientation meeting, it was possible to invite both corporate council members and a wide range of students and faculty of the programme.

The Director of GSEM UrFU, Dmitry Tolmachev opened the meeting. He spoke about the development strategy of GSEM in general and noted the importance of the EPAS accreditation system operated by EFMD not only for the programme, but also for the institution as one of the components of this strategy.

The head of the programme «International Economics and Business», Zhanna Belyaeva presented the main faculty from 6 countries including Russia. Zhanna Belyaeva presented the characteristics of the competencies that are formed as a result of students' learning for "transforming" them into a world-class management elite. This is how the mission of the programme sounds. The main educational tracks presented for achieving the status of an "international business shark", as well as possible career tracks of the graduates of the programme interested not only students but also partners of the programme.

Within the framework of the meeting, honorable badges of distinction were awarded to 12 students of the programme «International Economics and Business» who achieved academic excellence.

Director of GSEM International Affairs Office, Liudmila Pliner invited students to participate in student exchange programmes with foreign partners of GSEM and told how to choose the country and university for the trip, how to prepare for the programme, and in which grant competitions students can participate.

The panel of corporate experts of the professional orientation meeting was more than representative:

• Maxim Matsiborko, Managing Partner of Ekaterinburg office, Regional Development Leader in PwCRussia;
• Roman Zubov (graduate of the programme) Deputy Head of Regional Business Development, Vice-President of «Raiffeisenbank»;
• Asya Nafikova, Brand Manager of «Unilever»;
• Andrey Tukh, Director of Talent Development of Sberbank Ural Bank;
• Alexey Baranov, Personnel Director of LLC «Philip Morris Sales & Marketing»;
• Maksim Kuznetsov (graduate of the programme), founder and Director of LLC «MGM-Group», Head of the Expert Group of the Regional Investment Standard by Agency for Strategic Initiatives (ASI).

All speakers agreed on the assessment of key competencies of a modern manager: leadership, the ability to create and develop teams, flexibility, innovation, self-development.

Let us dwell on the most striking statements of corporate experts.

Maxim Matsiborko, PwC:

«So-called "soft skills" can not be learned in 2 weeks like financial accounting in order to develop these competencies, it may take up to several years. In addition, passion is very important in what you do».

Roman Zubov, Raiffeisenbank:

«The student who determined their career interests in the second year, passed relevant internships and practices, where they met their future colleagues, has the greatest chance of a career success».

Asya Nafikova, Unilever:

«In the modern world of globalization and digitalization there are no borders, the coverage of the activities of various specialists, for example, brand managers, is constantly expanding and requires, first of all, flexibility and leadership; these competences can and should be trained in daily life; it is important to become an active participant, the leader of one’s life responsible for it».

Asya noted that this year, a graduate of the programme «International Economics and Business», who showed a high level of knowledge and skills necessary for working in the company, was accepted for permanent work at Unilever without an internship.

Andrey Tukh, Sbernank:

«Large international corporations need not only sharks who win in "bloody competitive battle", but also professionals who can find "blue oceans", niches without competition. It's important to talk about competencies, but right at the moment of our conversation the information grows old: do not forget to "synchronize your watches" when you are graduating from the university. Now, in the first place now there is the competence of team development and cooperation; in the modern world it is impossible to work alone, only in cooperation with a team of professionals».

Alexey Baranov, «Philip Morris Sales & Marketing»:

«Since 2018, our company is staking on innovation, as the tobacco business requires a new approach to maintain efficiency. Business is moved by dreamers, but developed by entrepreneurs. The most popular competence is agility».

Maksim Kuznetsov, MGM-Group, ASI:

«If by the time of graduation you haven’t done three internships, you will not be employed by my company; my fellow graduates are now entrepreneurs (about 30%) and top managers (about 25%)».

Students actively asked questions about the requirements of specific companies (to get on internship and practice), about strategic changes in companies and new technologies, about career prospects, and many other topics.

In conclusion, Professor of the Academic Department of International Economics and Lecturer of the programme «International Economics and Business», Elena Frolova presented the students with a surprise in the form of a story and photos about participation in the World Festival of Youth and Students.

We thank everyone for their effective work and proactive participation.