Personal & Professional Development
Knowledge gained at university is essential, but it’s not everything. It’s important to test your knowledge in practice and to develop other skills and experiences outside of class. This way, you can build a unique set of skills that makes you stand out and gives you an edge—not only in the job market, but in life in general.
Curious how to start and where to look for opportunities? Keep reading! You’ll also find various offers arriving regularly in your student email—club activities, invitations to lectures and workshops, announcements about study-abroad programs. At the very least, skim the subject lines so you don’t miss anything important.
Speaking in front of a class, communicating in a foreign language, managing group projects, coordinating with teammates, organizing deadlines and exams… At first glance these may seem easier than mastering complex technical knowledge, but often they’re not. Soft skills, as all these "minor" skills are collectively referred to, are and will continue to be an important part of your everyday life, so it's good to work on them constantly.
Lectures, workshops, and short courses are an easy and accessible way to broaden your horizons. Pick a topic you care about and grow in it—whether in a one-off event or through regular sessions. The best part? They’re free for students!
Where to find them:
- Counselling and Career Centre - especially soft-skills oriented courses and workshops taking place in school directly, such as communication and presentation skills, financial literacy, leading people, but also working with stress, relaxation techniques etc. Please note that not all events may be available in English
- Coursera - online courses from prestigious universities around the world, a wide range of topics and fields
- National Library of Technology – courses and workshops dedicated to writing academic texts, citing, searching and filtering information or presentation skills
- Life-long Learning Courses (LLL)- courses that will broaden your horizons in topics outside your field, such as project management or media communication. These courses are free, and you can earn a certificate for some of them. The regularly updated offer can be found on the Czech webpage here. Courses where language of instruction in English are written in English.
TIP! When considering external courses, always check quality—read reviews, ask around, and pay attention to the trainer, group size, time investment, and whether free trial sessions or individual consultations are offered.
Clubs are a fantastic way to develop teamwork, leadership, event management, budgeting, and organizational skills—all while making new friends. These experiences look great on your CV and show employers that you’re active, engaged, and resourceful. Future employers are looking for active and capable people! Were you a member of the UNI-ART club? This tells employers that you are a creative person with a sense of organization. Involvement in ESN indicates that you have experience working in an international team and want to help others. And so on... In addition, you will meet a bunch of great new people and can contribute to the pleasant atmosphere of the school.
Tip: You don’t have to commit to being a permanent member right away. If you’re interested, start by attending public events. Announcements are usually sent via school email or shared on social media.
Details on existing clubs and how to join can be found on the Active page.
If you feel something is missing, you can even start your own club! Check out the handbook Clubs: Step by Step for guidance (in Czech).
Through the mentoring program you can connect with professionals during your studies and get an insider’s view of different career paths. You’ll meet someone working in a role that interests you, learn what their job involves, and gain practical insights.
Mentoring is an effective way to clarify your career (or academic) goals while also building valuable contacts. Mentors can help with both professional and personal challenges. Even if you’re not ready for a job yet, mentoring gives you a low-pressure way to explore industries and roles.
Information about mentors, registration, etc. can be found on the website of the Counseling and Career Centre, which oversees the service.
Taking part in competitions or presenting at conferences gives you motivation, valuable feedback, experience, and new connections—and sometimes financial rewards.
Competitions
These are regularly published on the UCT Prague website in the Science and Research section, and you can find more on the Counseling and Career Center website.
Conferences
Don’t miss the annual Student Scientific Conference, usually held each autumn. You can present your bachelor’s/diploma project or research, win prizes, and network with industry partners.
Present your work outside of school! You can attend a conference with your paper anytime and anywhere after consulting with your thesis supervisor. Conferences can be a great opportunity to meet new people, learn about research being done at other schools, and try your hand at speaking in front of a larger audience. You can find a conference yourself or ask your supervisor where your topic might fit. Information on how to bill for conference participation can be found on the intranet.
TIP! To create a nice presentation, use official UCT templates for presentations or posters (available via e-learning or intranet).
Internal grants
Your projects and ideas can be financially supported through internal school grants as scientific, educational, or social projects. Information about the conditions, who the grants are intended for, etc. can be found on the IGA website under the individual types of grants.
Volunteering—whether within UCT Prague or elsewhere—is a great way to gain experience, explore roles you wouldn’t normally access, and give you a glimpse behind the scenes of an organization that interests you. And that is something that will never be lost.
If you are involved in any volunteer work at school or outside of school, you can obtain a certificate for your activities, which will help you document your efforts, for example in your CV! Employers are often interested in candidates who have a variety of practical experience and skills, as these demonstrate independence, proactivity, and a desire to develop.
For more information and a form for recording your activities, visit aktivni.vscht.cz. The website offers more details and a form to log activities, plus career counselling support to reflect on your development.
Studying or interning abroad is an excellent way to grow personally and professionally. Explore available programs and types of mobility here.