Student and Alumni Career Issues in the Context of Present-day Labor Market was the seminar title, organized by YSU Alumni and Career Center with the participation of Armenian HEI career centers, as well as responsible state bodies and corresponding organizations.

According to YSU Rector Aram Simonyan the problem of youth employment in our country is not just social one, but also has got a strategic importance, as the lack of positions makes the new generation leave the country to get a job abroad, i.e., the brain drain takes place. In Aram Simonyans opinion the cooperation between HEI and employers is very weak. Armenian employer is almost indifferent towards HEI, which has got the opposite picture abroad, - says the Rector of Yerevan State University.

Chairman of the Board of Civil Service Manvel Badalyan was also present at this meeting and his cooperation with Alma Mater has got a rich background. Speaking of Civil Service Institute system, Manvel Badalyan noted with regret that no winners are recorded in 20-22% of competitions, which speaks of poor knowledge of the applicants. On the other hand, there are cases when dozens of the applicants compete for one position.

Most of all I would not like to see the disappointed young people. I know a case when the student was appointed only after the 23rd competition, - says Mr. Badalyan and adds that the new system will be applied beginning with September, according to which the applicants, who will overcome the exam barrier, will be awarded certificates which will evidence about the applicants professional potential.

Manvel Badalyan also acknowledges that young people, who value higher their knowledge and skills, do not prefer the state sector very often because of the low wages,. Being a state employee is also a human type, degree and even a mission, - believes Mr. Badalyan.

The problem of youth employment is also highlighted by the Employment State Agency where there is even a specific data, associated with it. Today, 21,000 young people are officially registered as unemployed. 14,000 of them are first-time job seekers. Whereas 56 percent of job holders are not employed in the area of their profession, - states Deputy Head of the Agency Artak Simonyan. He also points out the challenges and obstacles, which are more often met by the young people in this process - wrong choice of profession, education level mismatch with the employers requirements and most importantly, lack of the experience.

The alumni employment issue is solved in different ways in different HEI. Career centers function in the structures of some of them, and in others responsible persons are engaged in this process. Our main task is to develop a format for cooperation with one another, - said YSU Vice-rector on Alumni, Students and Public Relations Ruben Markosyan and offers to hold annual meetings at least once or twice.

The employment issue is solved easier at Yerevan State Medical University than other universities, since here the field of activities is narrower. University Vice-rector Gevorg Yaghjyan notes there are particularly close ties with the Ministry of Healthcare and medical institutions.

State Engineering University of Armenia Career Center was one of the pioneers in this area. Today they have published a manual, entitled Career planning process, which was kindly presented to YSU.

The organizer of the event YSU Alumni and Career Center has got no less rich history. The newly appointed Director of the Center Lilit Hakobyan focused on the previous activities of the Center. Founded in 2006, it has called to life various projects and established relations with state and private sector. Among the achievements we should highlight the cooperation with HSBC Bank, as many alumni have already got positions in this prestigious bank.

By the way, with the help of YSU Alumni and Career Center YSU students and alumni solve not only the employment issue, but also practice issue in various organizations, as well as participate in various courses and seminars.