Getting hired without having to leave your home – Virtual Career Day at St Petersburg University

In the opening speech, the University’s Senior Vice-Rector Elena Chernova said that regardless that traditionally we had held the Career Days offline, today we are pleased to be holding the Virtual Career Day at the University. ‘We have entered into a new world of remote working and distance learning. Acquiring new knowledge and skills has benefited us in many ways. These competences will definitely be searched for by employers, including those who actively engage in our Career Day,’ said Elena Chernova wishing everyone a successful Career Day.

Although the Career Day was held in distance mode, the companies were still able to deliver online lectures and hold open sessions to share the information about their vacancies and internships. Registering in advance gave you a chance to get in-depth information about the job requirements and recruitment process, and to receive personalised career advice.

We have entered into a new world of remote working and distance learning. Acquiring new knowledge and skills has benefited us in many ways. These competences will definitely be searched for by employers, including those who actively engage in our Career Day.

Senior Vice-Rector Elena Chernova

Throughout the Career Day, the University was broadcasting workshops from top-ranked experts. The broadcasts were available to anyone who was interested.

Igor Murashev, Deputy Chairperson and Head of the Department of Assessment and Talent Pool of the Committee of Public Administration and Human Resources Management in St Petersburg City Administration, dispelled the most widely believed myths about public administration and shared his views on how working in the public sector could benefit you. There are a lot of misconceptions and stereotypes surrounding public administration. Yet public administration is not a closed establishment. Today, there are as many as 8,500 people employed in public administration in St Petersburg. Yet the rising staff turnover will definitely add to searching for over 100,000 candidates a year. Even just after graduation, you can pursue careers in public administration. You do stand every chance of getting an entry-level job with no work experience as there are workplaces which are specially designed to appeal to this younger demographic. One in seven workers in the public service is under 30, while the average age is 40.

Working in the public sector is a rewarding start to your career as you can learn how to network and build relationships. What is even more important is that you can implement your own projects on how you see the city should develop. The graduates are the first-degree specialists. You can really make a difference. This is what makes the public administration attractive for those who are willing to engage in making good decisions, says Igor Murashev. The Early Career Talent Pool is a new way how the City Administration of St Petersburg employs graduates. All you have to do is to fill in an application form and pass a two-level assessment procedure.

Anna Bulatova, Acting Deputy Chairperson of the St Petersburg Committee on Arctic Affairs and Head of the Department of International, Research, Educational, and Project Activities, spoke about seeing the potential in widening the talent pool for St Petersburg and the Arctic zone. People aged 18 to 30 have a strong opinion that the Arctic zone has economic potential, the survey shows. Yet the work in the north is mostly associated with job sharing. Some of the respondents have a vague idea as to what regions make the Arctic zone in Russia. Yet these regions produce about 17% of crude oil and petroleum products, 83% of natural gas, and 98% of diamonds in Russia. Thus, among the key areas for sustainable economic growth are: ore mining, oil and gas industry, energy, shipbuilding, transport infrastructure development, civil and military building, and construction. Today, there is a demand for over 300,000 people from 2,000 professions to be employed to work in the Arctic. Over 70% of the most in-demand vacancies are blue-collar and non-degree jobs.

It doesn’t imply that there is no demand for a job with a degree. The Arctic is a science-driven region as well. A wide range of both non-degree jobs and jobs that require a degree is in large part due to a wide spectrum of what must be done in the Arctic. Ensuring success means a balance between science, engineering, economics, and management.

Anna Bulatova, Acting Deputy Chairperson of the St Petersburg Committee on Arctic Affairs and Head of the Department of International, Research, Educational, and Project Activities

Most investment projects on the Arctic development are long-term. For example, mineral exploration can take up to 30 years. This can explain the need for high-calibre staff who should be on a par with state of the art technology. As the Arctic zones are undergoing rapid development, seeing the potential of the human resources is vital. Among the future professions that will be, and even are in high demand are drone operator, systems mining engineer, environmental analyst in the resources industries, and specialist in maintaining the robot-based manufacturing to name but a few. Engaging in the Arctic projects does not necessarily mean that you will have to move to the north as there are over 200 companies in St Petersburg that focus on the Arctic development.

The Virtual Career Day also featured: a workshop delivered by Boris Grumbkov, General Director of the Publishing House St Petersburg’s Vedomosti; and a workshop presented by Irina Spirkina, head of the department of the endocrine and enzyme raw materials of Gerofarm Company. Switching to digital delivery increased the number of people up to 600 who participated in the Virtual Career Day.