VMU Connections Will Unite Pupils, Students, and Graduates

On 8 November, Vytautas Magnus University (VMU), celebrating its 35th re-establishment anniversary this year, will host a unique event: VMU Connections, in which pupils, students, graduates, and business representatives will unite for a common goal: to meet, talk, and share knowledge, experience, and career opportunities.

This is the first time the university will host an event of this format, bringing together current and former VMU students, the university's community, as well as future students—school pupils—in one space. Each group will be provided unique content relevant to their current stage in life. Pupils will receive guidance on finding their career path, students will be presented with initial job opportunities, and graduates will have the chance to return to the university and inspire others by sharing their experiences. For businesses, VMU Connections serves as a platform where companies and organizations can directly meet young talent, introduce their company, and connect with future professionals.

Inspiring success stories

During the event, pupils will be able to participate in the special programme Matuokis Profesiją (Try Out a Profession), where they will be able to meet with the university's community and graduates. Former students will share their experience, speak about their career paths, and provide valuable advice on how to find a future career. Pupils will meet and hear success stories from Jonas Lekšas, Živilė Mediekšienė, Julijus Grickevičius, Vaida Matijošaitė, Vytautas Valaitis, Mantas Karanauskas, and other VMU graduates.

"I am observing the evolution of VMU and I'm fascinated by the university's renewal and ability to keep in step with the times. As I return to VMU, I'd like to speak about the university I discovered and the legends I had heard about it. At the same time, I'd like to provide advice on how to make better use of one's time at the university, whose impact reaches further than just the chosen profession", Julijus Grickevičius, culture expert and communication specialist, notes.

Živilė Mediekšienė, a graduate of VMU Agriculture Academy and Marketing and Communication Project Manager at Agrokoncerns Group, has also shared her own experience: "Participation in Try Out a Profession is also a great opportunity for me to revisit memories of my study years, which I still consider one of the most beautiful stages of my life. I'd like to inspire pupils to aim for more than just the basics—because all the extra experiences and accepted challenges can pave the way for many more opportunities and help find one's true potential".

Jonas Lekšas, a sports commentator for TV3 Group, basketball journalist at Krepsinis.net, and VMU law graduate, remembers the anxiety about the future that he felt as a pupil: "There was a lack of information and a shortage of interesting examples around me. The main question was, "What kind of uninteresting job will I have to do to make money? I had a dream but I really didn't think it was possible - to work in a job that I love. As it turns out, everything is possible, and it's made easier with the right examples and information. So I'm glad that I have the opportunity to share my story and, who knows, maybe I'll help someone start the journey toward their dream".

Having returned to work at VMU after completing his studies here, Vytautas Valaitis, a freelance operator, producer, and video editing director, emphasizes that the university had a significant influence on his development both as a person and as a professional: "VMU provides the freedom to not limit oneself just to the subjects of the study program: you can choose additional courses, languages, or minor studies, and discover the things that interest you. It's not just an academic space but also the place where you can experiment, participate in various communities, and fulfill yourself. This freedom allowed me to develop my activities alongside my studies, to discover important connections and even to find my future wife".

Career opportunities for students

The Career Day, dedicated to the students, will provide the opportunity to get acquainted with representatives of over 30 companies and organizations, such as Kauno Grūdai, Rovaltra, Užimtumo Tarnyba, Hoptrans, Citco, Evolution, and others. At the career fair, students will have the chance to find out about the latest trends in the job markets, establish important connections and even attend in-person job interviews.

"The VMU Connections event is a great platform both for the students and the employers, which provides a unique opportunity to establish meaningful connections and discover future specialists", says Daiva Ulkienė, Selection Manager at Baltec CNC Technologies. "The Career Day and fair allow us to meet with the future specialists in person, to listen to their expectations, and to introduce them to the possibilities that we offer".

"Participation in VMU Connections is a great chance for us to meet with talented and motivated students who not only seek their first career opportunities but also wish to find employers who care about the growth and development of their employees. Our company aims to attract ambitious people who can contribute to our success and growth. Such events make it possible for us to not only introduce ourselves and our values, but also to directly communicate with future specialists, listen to their expectations, and introduce them to career opportunities in our organization. We invite students to come because this is a unique chance to meet the employers, learn about the job market trends and, possibly, discover one's own career path", Irena Aleksiūnienė, Human Resources Manager at Kauno Grūdai, notes.

Raimonda Liutkė, Human Resources Specialist at Hoptrans, which is another participant of the VMU Connections event, one of the key values at the company is cooperation: "The Career Day provides the opportunity to establish an open, sincere, and sustainable connection with students. We hope that this connection will combine the mutual desire to share and exchange not just experiences, knowledge, and perspectives, but also opportunities.

Festive concert

VMU graduates will not only share their experiences with the pupils but also will remember their study years and meet with their course mates and old friends during the Alumni Day. The VMU Connections event will culminate with a festive concert for the entire university community dedicated to the 35th re-establishment anniversary of VMU. The concert will feature the most popular songs of the 1990s.

Performers at the concert will include the VMU Chamber Orchestra (Chief Conductor Vytautas Lukočius), representatives of VMU Music Academy’s Jazz Department Adrijus Kudaba (guitar), Deividas Pileckas (keyboard), Julijus Sipavičius (percussion), and soloists Justinas Lapatinskas (graduate of VMU Music Academy) and Vytautė Tamutytė (student of VMU Music Academy). 

The programme will include songs by bands Antis, Foje, Rondo, Poliarizuoti Stiklai, Rebelheart, and Kardiofonas, as well as the most popular compositions by performers Kastytis Kerbedis, Ovidijus Vyšniauskas, Vytautas Kernagis, and Eurika Masytė. 

More information and full program: vdu.lt/jungtys