The current epidemiological situation has influenced on business in difficult conditions. Based on the results of the survey conducted by the Career Center of the Graduate School of Management of St. Petersburg University (GSOM), only 50% of companies are fully prepared to transfer internships to an online format. 

Management Career Week: Autumn 2029

 

“At the national level, it is estimated that the areas most affected by COVID-19 are  HoReCa, tourism, event organization and domestic services. At such a moment, companies need both highly qualified managers who are able to think outside of the usual patterns, as well as additional “hands” during peak periods,” Elizaveta Troyanova, Director of the GSOM Career Center said.

 

However, not all business representatives are willing to accept students for internships in the current environment. According to the survey of 70 partner companies of the Graduate School of Management, only 50% are fully prepared to transfer internships to an online format. These are companies from the  FMCG (Fast-moving consumer goods), consulting and IT sectors. 30% expect normalization of the situation, although they do not reject hosting an online internship, and 20% of companies completely refuse to conduct practices online.

 

The Career Center has taken some measures in order to provide students with practical training and assisting alumni in finding employment. First of all, regular interaction with partner companies is an important element in the search for options for the implementation of internships under the existing conditions. The traditional career week has been transferred to an online format, and many large companies such as P&G, L'Oreal, PwC, MegaFon, Norilsk Nickel, MTS, Baltic, Mars, EY, Danone, Veeam, Bacardi, Uniqlo, Coca-Cola, BIOCAD, BAT, VTB, Tape and others will take part in the event.

 

“In general, it is now clear that summer internships will take place. Perhaps the dates and formats will change slightly. It is important that the current circumstances motivate us to be more flexible and to take an individual approach to the situation of each student at GSOM. It is important for everyone to understand that the Career Center is determined not to leave a single student without an internship,” Elizaveta Troyanova emphasized.

 

In May 2020, the Career Center plans to introduce two more initiatives. The first is the Career Center Online Room — live counseling on issues of practice and employment, as well as regular live broadcasting on social networks. The second is a seminar on searching for the first job — a series of webinars and information support for 2nd-3rd year students on strategies for finding suitable job-offers and internships.

GSOM SPbU is a leading Russian business school, established a a faculty of St. Petersburg University, one of the oldest classical universities, and the largest center of science, education and culture in Russia. GSOM is consistently ranked among the 50 best business schools in Europe, and it is a recognized center for research and teaching in management. The GSOM Advisory Board includes leaders from business, government and the international academic community.