What specialists are most needed for tomorrow? This question was answered at the VILNIUS TECH GRAVITY career day. For the 20th time the university became the gravitational centre for science talents and leading businesses – it was led by content creator Paul de Miko and attracted almost 100 modern companies as well as about 10,000 students, schoolchildren, and guests.

The jubilee VILNIUS TECH career day attracted the largest and most promising business organisations, representatives of science, and students to the Sauletekis central buildings, who had a unique opportunity to get acquainted with potential employers and future career opportunities.
"This is the largest career day I have ever seen. Today, in the central buildings of VILNIUS TECH, there is a huge concentration of talents, competencies, ideas, and perspectives. This is the device of the future," said Paulius Mikolaitis-Paul de Miko when opening the event.

The greeting from VILNIUS TECH Rector Prof. Dr. Romualdas Kliukas emphasized the university's mission to enhance its leadership in technology, innovation, and engineering in the country as well as demonstrate its beauty and significance to society. According to the rector, our quality of life and even the fate of the world depend on engineering, so young people who choose this career path can expect their work to be meaningful, promising, and not boring work.

"It is very important for us that business organisations choose to strengthen their teams with our future creators and also encourage talent development by providing targeted scholarships to the most advanced students. I believe that the 20th VILNIUS TECH career day will become the space where talents meet opportunities and businesses find their future developers and creators," greeted the participants of the event, VILNIUS TECH Rector Prof. Dr. Romualdas Kliukas.

GRAVITY did not lack school students that would be interested in studying at VILNIUS TECH and the older participants that wish to change their career path or choose to further their academic qualifications with master's or doctoral studies.
What specialists does the job market need?

The theme of the 20th VILNIUS TECH career day - gravity - was chosen not by chance: it signifies the attraction of science and business leaders. The futuristic theme is a reflection of university values, the innovations created here, the education of future creators, and the most prospective professions.

The event's theme was also reflected in the entertainment area, where it was possible to try out smart simulators, robots, innovative games, perform a chemical experiment "Chameleon," and engage in discussions about market issues. Representatives of the most modern companies talked about the prospects of various sectors and identified the most desired skills in the job market.

Vytautas Bitinas, Director of Technology at LTG Group, stated that the importance of the railway transport sector is growing in Europe’s pursuit of Green course goals. LTG Group is currently implementing large-scale projects that will fundamentally change the experience of travelling by train - satellite "Starlink" internet is being installed, the main railway artery Vilnius-Klaipeda is being electrified, the European high-speed railway "Rail Baltica" is being built, which will open up opportunities to travel by train from Lithuania to Western Europe. Moreover, new, modern trains tailored to individual needs are being purchased. Therefore, LTG is currently opening up many career opportunities - IT professionals, engineers, technology representatives who not only seek to work on ambitious projects but also create value for Lithuania through their daily work, are welcome here.

The myth about the limited scope of the sector was refuted by Zilvinas Lapinskas, the CEO of the aircraft maintenance and care company "FL Technics". According to him, the stereotype that only engineers can find themselves here does not have much to do with reality.
"We need people of all profiles: we need programmers, business developers who can travel to other countries, represent the organisation, and establish contacts. We also trade in parts, engines, we have design and logistics departments. This is an opportunity for growth, travelling, meeting new people, cultures, and financial gain," Z. Lapinskas revealed in regards to career opportunities.

Talented and motivated specialists, especially in the fields of data analytics and engineering, are also sought after by the used clothing exchange and trading platform "Vinted".

"We offer various career opportunities - from the summer internship program 'Vintern' to full-time positions. Our team regularly works with the latest technologies and innovations, so it's a great opportunity to gain experience and improve your skills," says early career partner Goda Leseviciute.

What skills and qualities do employers value most in your specialists? According to Giedre Zlibiniene, the head of the IGNITIS group's program #EnergySmartSTART, the energy sector faces a significant challenge of employee shortage, so the company constantly offers at least 100 open positions. Most of them are in engineering, so specific knowledge and engineering education are a priority in this case.

"We cannot afford to value soft skills, but in other professions, it's important. I would highlight critical thinking, creativity, and leadership," listed Giedre Zlibiniene.

The importance of creativity was also emphasised by Darius Snieska, the general manager of "Scania Lietuva" and the president of the VILNIUS TECH Graduates and Friends Club.

"People who think creatively are more than welcome here. For example, at 'Scania,' having technical education is good, but creativity is the main driver and priority," stated D. Snieska.

The ability of humans to create and think will remain valuable even with the emergence of artificial intelligence (AI), said Ricardas Jascemskas, the project manager of the Lithuanian Game Developers Association. However, the ability to use AI technologies will be highly needed in the future.

"Although artificial intelligence will not replace humans, people who know how to work with AI will replace those who do not," added R. Jascemskas.

The VILNIUS TECH career day helps to find jobs

Vilte, a second-year student of Economic Engineering at VILNIUS TECH, also second-time participant of the career day, stated that this event helped her to discover her career path and understand how her goals could be achieved.

"It's great to listen to motivating stories and experiences of young employees. During GRAVITY, I realised that it is possible to find a place for myself in any company," smiled the student. "I also really liked the interactive activities that companies offered at their stands - they made me approach and chat with the representatives."

Meanwhile, Khaled Waleed, a VILNIUS TECH student who returned to the career day this year, still enjoyed the event, even tough, he found a job during last year's fair.

"Back then, I was a second-year student looking for a job, so I visited each company's stand and inquired about open positions as well as internship opportunities. I applied for several of them and got an internship position at a company which I later got hired by. At the moment, I'm an assistant accountant. At first, balancing work and studies wasn't easy, but it gradually got better. I highly advise others to do the same," encouraged the student.

You can find more moments from the event here.