News from last Career Summit and its impact: a way leverage relations
We are excited to share highlights from our recent career initiative event – CAREER SUMMIT 2024 - which was a tremendous success. Career Summit aims to join companies and our community at the same place to network and explore career opportunities.
Over 150 students participated, engaging with industry leaders, and exploring various career opportunities. The approximately 20 participating companies exchanged contacts with our students and alumni, generating over 230 interactions! OU Around 20 companies were present and exchanged contacts with our community, resulting in over 230 interactions among the participants.
This event marked the kickoff of European Bank for Reconstruction and Development ‘s series of career fairs in Portugal, and we were honored to be their first stop.
Representing the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development- ERBD - we interview Tomás Ferreira Duarte to discuss their experience at our event, their impressions of our students, and the value of such initiatives.
CS: We are thrilled to have you here to discuss EBRD's recent participation in our career initiative event. Could you please introduce yourself, your role at EBRD, and give us a brief introduction to the Bank?
TFD: Thank you for having me. My name is Tomás Ferreira Duarte, and I currently serve as an Advisor to the Board of Directors of the EBRD, in the constituency office representing Portugal. EBRD is an international financial institution founded in 1991 with the aim of fostering economic development in its regions of operation, which span from Eastern Europe to Central Asia. Our mission is to support projects that contribute for the development of open market economies and the promotion of private and entrepreneurial initiative. EBRD invests in a broad range of sectors, including energy, infrastructure, financial institutions, and services. At our headquarters in London, we have over twenty-five talented and successful Portuguese staff proudly collaborating with us.
CS: ERBD chose Porto Business School to kick off your series of events in Portugal. Could you tell us what motivated your decision to start with our institution?
TFD: Our office has been working on a set of initiatives with Portuguese Universities with the goal of raising awareness for the work EBRD does for development and transition, and building stronger ties that can unlock value for our country from the Bank’s strong expertise and credentials. Choosing PBS Career Summit to launch our series of career events was natural, given your strong reputation for fostering innovation, entrepreneurship, and leadership among your students. PBS is known for its dynamic and diverse academic community, a robust faculty staff, and strong ties with the business community. These factors align well with EBRD’s values and goal of promoting strong and modern private sector-based economies.
CS: event saw 150 students engaging with representatives from various industries. What aspects of our career initiative event did you find most valuable for your organization?
TFD: For us, the most valuable aspect of Career Summit was surely the opportunity to engage directly with a highly motivated and talented pool of students. The event allowed us to share an overview of the EBRD mission and impactful work and provided an excellent platform to share current job openings and details about our attractive Employee Value Proposition to PBS current students and alumni. We were pleased to have received a meaningful volume of applicants and follow-up contacts and are confidence the leads can potentially drive an increase in applicants to our current and future open positions.
CS: In your opinion, what are the benefits of participating in events like ours for ERBD?
TFD: Career events at universities offer several benefits for EBRD. Firstly, these enhance our visibility and brand awareness among top-tier students and future professionals, positioning EBRD as valued employer of choice for graduate and undergraduate students. Secondly, it helps us foster partnerships with Portuguese academic institutions, facilitation collaborations that can lead to joint knowledge-sharing activities and other mutually beneficial projects. Lastly, engaging with the community helps us stay abreast of the latest trends and developments in business education.
CS: Our students were very enthusiastic about meeting with representatives from your bank. How did you find the level of our students compared to those from non-Portuguese institutions you have interacted with?
TFD: We were overly impressed wit the level of qualifications of Porto Business School’s students. Their enthusiasm and preparedness stood out significantly. As an institution focusing on executive education, PBS has a distinct advantage in cultivating a mature and experienced student body. The Summit attendants showed a good understanding of EBRD and asked many insightful and relevant questions that reflected genuine interest and spoke volumes about the rigorous academic training and strong emphasis on real-world business applications that PBS provides.
CS: What qualities do you think make our students stand out in the international job market?
TFD: We believe PBS students have several distinctive qualities that can help them stand out in the international job market, in particular for finance institutions. The high focus on real-world business case students equips them with practical critical thinking skills and the ability to apply theoretical knowledge to actual business challenges. Furthermore, the strong links PBS keeps with companies and the business community ensures students are well-connected and familiar with industry trends and expectations. Finally, the emphasis on practical group work fosters teamwork, leadership, and communication skills, all of which are crucial in a global business environment.
CS: Looking ahead, how do you see ERBD continuing to engage with our school and our students?
TFD: We are enthusiastic about deepening our engagement with Porto Business School and its students through a variety of initiatives. We are currently discussing a range of collaboration initiatives with the Innovation X Hub, where we will seek to leverage the Bank’s expertise and track record to support the interesting agenda developed by the Hub. We are also eager to participate in talks, panels, or debates on matters of relevance for the EBRD such as sustainability, corporate governance, or any other key development finance topic. Additionality, we would be pleased to develop cooperative projects that align with both our mission and the academic goals of PBS, creating opportunities for mutual growth and impactful outcomes. Through these initiatives, we hope to build a lasting partnership that can create significant value for both our institutions and for PBS talented students.
CS: Before we wrap up, is there any advice you would like to give to our students?
TFD: As you seek further career advancement and skill building through executive education at Porto Business School, my personal advice is to leverage the wealth of experience you bring to the table while remaining open to new perspectives and ideas. Use this opportunity to deepen your strategic thinking and expand your professional network. Engage actively with your peers and professors, as the diverse insights and experiences shared in your cohort are invaluable. Focus on developing your leadership skills, particularly in relevant areas such as change management, digital transformation, and sustainability. By doing so, you will not only be elevating your career, but also inspiring and leading your organizations to new heights and driving more meaningful impact. Wish you all the best of luck for your future!
CS – Career Summit
TFD – Tomás Ferreira Duarte, Advisor to the Board of Directors of the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD)
