The event was organized by the Competency Development Office (former Career Office). The office has been supporting students and graduates in their professional and personal development for more than 15 years. The Medical Job Fair is one form of this support and a response to the dynamically changing needs of the labor market.
What are the possibilities?
- When choosing a career path, students are increasingly paying attention to the values represented by companies and the environment in which they will work - stresses Dr. Jakub Sokolnicki, Head of the Competency Development Office - They want to combine their passion with the opportunity to develop and have an impact on their future.
Representatives of 32 institutions answered questions and concerns of young people about their careers - during and after studies. Among them were pharmaceutical companies, medical centers, diagnostic laboratories, pharmacies, hospitals, among others.
The qualifications and knowledge of the students and graduates of our university are highly valued, so there was no shortage of current job, internship and apprenticeship offers.
What students think
The vast majority of our graduates, as indicated by studies of their career fate, are finding themselves well in the labor market. They came to the fair to see what is currently happening in the market.
When asked if she is already thinking about her professional future, student Aleksandra Kowalska says:
- I'm heading towards the end of my studies, I'm already in my 5th year of pharmacy, and I think it's a good time to look around for possible jobs so that I have enough time to prepare and make the right decisions.
Aleksandra and her colleague Julia Górnicka, also a pharmacy student, look optimistically at what awaits them after graduation. Both are convinced that pharmacy is a promising field of study, offering many opportunities.
- I'm not afraid that I won't find a job after studies. I have the confidence that there will always be something - I don't know exactly where, but that it is waiting. Pharmacists have that comfort - Julia emphasizes.
Who employers are looking for
One element of the event's program was live interviews with employer representatives. A novelty in the fair's offerings, this proved to be a pill of useful recruitment information.
The interviews were conducted by students from the Polish Society of Pharmacy Students Warsaw Branch, IFMSA-Poland Warsaw Branch and the Scientific Circle of Health Managers. Among other things, they asked about the ideal set of qualities that a person applying for a job in pharmacy and clinical research should have.
- There is no ideal universal profile for every position - said Mateusz Rybicki, a representative of the NEUCA group - I think that nowadays, and certainly in the clinical research industry, I would put meticulousness and empathy plus communication competence first, because we have to work with different people: doctors, nurses, patients.
On the other hand, a representative of the Cosmedica pharmacy chain would add to empathy the desire for continuous development.
- Pharmacy is moving forward a lot - emphasized Magdalena Osiecka-Pepłońska - A lot has changed in the market since the entry of the law on the pharmacist profession, we can do more and more in pharmacies, as demonstrated, for example, by vaccinations.
When to start looking around for a job
And is the 4th year of study the right time to look for a job? According to Magdalena Iwanowska, a representative of MSD, everything depends on what kind of studies it is. On the other hand, at the end of each one, it is worth thinking about what direction you want to go in, and then start doing something in that direction.
- When recruiting whether interns or employees, we look at experience - said Magdalena Iwanowska - whether someone already during their studies wanted to participate in study circles, showed additional interests, did something more.
Paula Chmielewska from Molecure company pointed out the same thing. The participation of students in student organizations and study circles, their proactivity in the broad sense, the internships, trainings and courses carried out are, in her opinion, an important element in any resume.
- In this way they show us their potential, that they care. This is of great importance to us - concluded Paula Chmielewska.
How to build your brand
In the counseling zone, you could verify your application documents and LinkedIn account, as well as learn about the process of implementing the innovations you created. There was also the UW Incubator, which encouraged people to gain additional competencies by participating in their programs for students. The Doctoral School MUW encouraged students to choose a scientific path and continue their education in doctoral studies. Trainers from the Polish Pharmacy Students’ Association gave advice on how to develop their interpersonal skills. And pharmacy students were able to learn about the activities of the District Pharmacy Chamber and find out why it is worth becoming a member of the District Pharmacy Chamber.
A large number of students also decided to have their makeup professionally done and then to pose for a photo for their resume. A photographer from the Communication and Promotion Office MUW took care of making it a showcase for the biography.
Summary of the fair
The fair was very popular with students. From 10 a.m., when the event began, until its conclusion, hundreds of young people passed through the corridors of the Didactic Center.
- We are pleased that once again the fair is an important and attention-grabbing event. It continues to be the largest event of its kind in Poland for medical students - concludes Dr. Jakub Sokolnicki. He adds: - The name 'Festival of Possibilities', initiated in the previous edition, perfectly indicates the direction we are going in, showing a wide perspective of post-graduation jobs in institutions that are not always obvious at first glance. In this edition, it was important for us to cooperate closely with student organizations: the IFMSA-Poland Warsaw Branch, the Polish Society of Pharmacy Students Warsaw Branch and the Scientific Circle of Health Managers, thanks to which the offer of the fair hits the expectations of young medics as much as possible.
Prof. Zbigniew Gaciong, Rector, and Prof. Marek Kuch, Vice Rector for Student Affairs and Education, also visited the fair.
The next edition of the Festival is scheduled for spring 2025.
