Career Days PoliTO: a gateway to the job market

The most recent national and international rankings and reports confirm that a degree from Politecnico is a guarantee of employability. The university's employment figures have been well above the national average for years: according to the Almalaurea survey, 96% of master's degree holders from Politecnico are in employment one year after completing their degree (percentage of employed graduates out of the total workforce). These results are driven by the quality of teaching, with particular attention to the development of so-called soft skills through curricular and extracurricular activities (student teams, internships, student challenges, etc.), and are further supported by the range of placement services the university has long offered to facilitate the matching of job supply and demand.

To showcase the career opportunities that a Politecnico degree opens up, the Career Days returned this year on 19 and 20 May. Now in its 19th edition, it is the main "jobs fair" organised in the Piedmont region across the fields of engineering, architecture, design and spatial planning. Two days packed with appointments dedicated to graduates, students nearing graduation, PhD graduates and young researchers at Politecnico, who had the opportunity to meet around 130 companies, recruitment agencies and public bodies attending the event. The exceptionally high turnout from businesses confirms the strong employment prospects for Politecnico graduates and the keen interest the professional world has in the skills of the university's students.

The event, which was a great success with over 7,000 participants, aimed to connect job seekers with employers and provide guidance to those looking for their first position outside academia.

The Career Days are the perfect opportunity to meet some of the leading national and international employers, ideal for companies hunting talent and specialist profiles. Participants had the possibility to meet recruiters in person at dedicated stands, interact with them directly, submit their CV and explore the best opportunities for their career.

A series of professional orientation sessions at the Training Point enriched the programme. Participants could attend interactive seminars and informational sessions on the world of work, engaging with professionals from multiple fields. Topics covered included the traditional staples of CV writing and interview preparation, alongside a focus on the value of a Research Doctorate in building a career, another on managing your web reputation, and a third on offering practical tips for navigating the international job market.

The Career Days also strengthen Politecnico's ties with the business world. Facilitating talent acquisition is one of the many services the university offers companies, within the broader framework of collaboration on teaching, research and technology transfer.

A stronger focus in this edition was placed on PhD students and young post-Doc researchers: the university made a targeted effort to promote the skills of this group, in the belief that these are highly specialised profiles capable of bringing method, autonomy and innovation to business environments. PhD students and young researchers had the opportunity to take part in one-to-one introductory meetings by appointment in a dedicated area, where they could present their research background and explore connections, including potential employment, with companies that invest in research and development.

"Fostering dialogue between the university and the industry is an essential component of Politecnico's educational mission – says Fulvio Corno, Deputy Rector for Education – The Career Days offer students, graduates and alumni a concrete opportunity to engage with companies and organisations, discover the most in-demand skills and build their professional future with greater awareness, learning to make the most of their academic background. At the same time, our ongoing engagement with the business sector allows us to keep our educational offering up to date, innovative and aligned with the evolution of the job market, including by broadening the forms of collaboration".

"Politecnico di Torino, through its Career Hub, invests significantly in the professional development of researchers who wish to build their career path with awareness and determination – adds Giuliana Mattiazzo, Deputy Rector for Scientific and Technological Innovation – offering a wide range of tools, structured pathways and personalised services designed to enhance the professional profile of those who have begun their journey in university research and wish to explore opportunities outside academia. In this context, dialogue with the business world is a central element, fostering the meeting between advanced scientific expertise and the innovation needs of the business sector".