Career Center as a Bridge between University and Labor Market Neda Bokan University of Belgrade Studentski trg Belgrade, Serbia Decowe Conference Ljubljana September 2009

UNIVERSITY OF BELGRADE

31 Faculties 10 Research Institutes Scheme of the Organisation RECTORATE 1 Faculties of Social and Humanistic Sciences 2 Faculties of Medical Sciences 3 Faculties of Sciences & Mathematics 4 Faculties of Engineering and Technology Groups: University Library Computer center UNIVERSITY OF BELGRADE Serbia PR service Career center Centre for strategic management of higher education Sport center Information center

The Center for Career Development and Counseling Services of the University of Belgrade The Foundation of Crown Prince Alexander for Culture and Education in cooperation with the University of Belgrade and the University of Nottingham has initiated the establishment of the Centre for Career Development and Counseling Services of the University of Belgrade. The Foundation of Crown Prince Alexander for Culture and Education in cooperation with the University of Belgrade and the University of Nottingham has initiated the establishment of the Centre for Career Development and Counseling Services of the University of Belgrade. This centre needs to support students and recent graduates in developing practical knowledge and skills, relevant for their further education and future employment and to connect them with the business community. This centre needs to support students and recent graduates in developing practical knowledge and skills, relevant for their further education and future employment and to connect them with the business community.

December 5, Main activities : Supporting the development of students’ capabilities, knowledge and practical skills relevant for employment; Supporting the development of students’ capabilities, knowledge and practical skills relevant for employment; Providing information for students on various opportunities: additional education, scholarships in the country and a broad, vacancies; Providing information for students on various opportunities: additional education, scholarships in the country and a broad, vacancies; Connecting students and employers through internship programs and trainings in the companies and organizations in the country and a broad; Connecting students and employers through internship programs and trainings in the companies and organizations in the country and a broad; Organizing presentations of the companies, and promoting their professional values and business policies; Organizing presentations of the companies, and promoting their professional values and business policies;

December 5, Main activities : Providing counseling services for students with dilemmas about their career choice or positioning on the labor market upon graduation; Providing counseling services for students with dilemmas about their career choice or positioning on the labor market upon graduation; Other activities of student counseling regarding career development such as organizing seminars and workshops on job search techniques, writing good CVs and cover letters, preparation for job interview, etc; Other activities of student counseling regarding career development such as organizing seminars and workshops on job search techniques, writing good CVs and cover letters, preparation for job interview, etc; The Service for Employers creates an effective connection between the students, the graduates and the business community.

The Centre for career Development and Counseling Services of the University of Belgrade offers: 1. Advertisement of vacancies and internships; 2. Promotion and presentation of companies; 3. Promotion of professional values and policy of companies; 4. Connection with the students and graduates of the University of Belgrade; 5. Connection with the academic world; 6. Assistance in building the image of companies, especially the image of a socially responsible company which aims to improve the employability, knowledge and practical skills of students and young graduates. It is possible to adjust the services the Centre offers to specific needs of a company.

Regulations of the Centre work The Rule Book, adopted by the University Senate. The director of the center coordinates its work, appointed by the Rector of the University, for a four- year term, with a possibility for re-election. The Center Council manages the work of the Center. The Council members are two University representatives, appointed by the Rector, and a representative of the Managing Board of the Foundation of Crown Prince Alexander for Culture and Education.

Financial support The Center is funded by the University of Belgrade, according to the decision passed by the body in charge by the University of Belgrade, according to the decision passed by the body in charge by the work of the Center itself by the work of the Center itself by donations by donations fees fees presents, etc. presents, etc. The fee in the amount of one Euro, is being paid by every student of the University at enrollment, following the decision of the University Senate.

Quality Assurance at the Center Research-poll conducted by the students representatives and employees of the Centre Portfolio The work of the Center is monitored by the University Council and the Student Parliament.

The achievements of the Center Establishing cooperation with educational institutions, economic subjects, cultural centers, media, NGO’s, the government, student organizations, faculties, libraries, etc. Projects: ’’Enhancing Communication between the Employer and the Student’’, financed by the Open Society Foundation; ’’Enhancing Communication between the Employer and the Student’’, financed by the Open Society Foundation; Gaining Work Experience – Precondition to a Good Position on the Labor Market’’, in cooperation with the Universiade company; Gaining Work Experience – Precondition to a Good Position on the Labor Market’’, in cooperation with the Universiade company; ’’Meeting Business First Hand’’, in cooperation with the American Chamber of Commerce in Serbia; ’’Meeting Business First Hand’’, in cooperation with the American Chamber of Commerce in Serbia;

Projects: ’’Alumni Organization’’ in cooperation with the Serbian Unity Congress; ’’Alumni Organization’’ in cooperation with the Serbian Unity Congress; ’’I Am Doing an Internship’’ in cooperation with Serbian Association of Managers; ’’I Am Doing an Internship’’ in cooperation with Serbian Association of Managers; ’’What is the Area Code for Europe – Employing Youth’’ in cooperation with NGO Initiative, SMART, Ministry of Youth and Sport. ’’What is the Area Code for Europe – Employing Youth’’ in cooperation with NGO Initiative, SMART, Ministry of Youth and Sport. USAID – Project for Developing Competitiveness – the representatives of the Center received training in the area of enhancing the working capacity of the Center and the process of selecting the candidates for a job and successfully applied for a three-week seminar in the USA, in March 2009, within the program Community Connections launched by World Learning. USAID – Project for Developing Competitiveness – the representatives of the Center received training in the area of enhancing the working capacity of the Center and the process of selecting the candidates for a job and successfully applied for a three-week seminar in the USA, in March 2009, within the program Community Connections launched by World Learning.

Providing useful information regarding professional development of students: workshops, workshops, lectures, lectures, presentations, presentations, round tables, round tables, simulations. simulations. The employees of the Center helped establish similar centers at state universities in Kragujevac, Niš and Novi Sad. The centers cooperate and are mutually interconnected. The Career Center of the University of Belgrade was visited by the representatives of the Career Center of the University of Ljubljana, for the purpose of exchange of experience.

Promotional Activities visits to faculties of the University of Belgrade visits to faculties of the University of Belgrade organizing Info-Days organizing Info-Days cooperation with the media cooperation with the media

Service for Employers announcing vacancies announcing vacancies  announcing training practices promoting scholarship programs promoting scholarship programs  analyzing candidate turn-out analyzing the implementation of training practices analyzing the implementation of training practices

Student informing and counseling promotional materials: brochures, posters, flyers promotional materials: brochures, posters, flyers  the Center Library short counseling services: writing resumes and motivation letters, continuing education possibilities in the country and abroad, scholarships, vacancies short counseling services: writing resumes and motivation letters, continuing education possibilities in the country and abroad, scholarships, vacancies  longer confidential meetings: dilemmas regarding the change of faculty, choosing the best job

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