Turning knowledge into practice: Student initiative at YSU

Syuzanna is a fourth-year student at YSU Faculty of Law, yet she has already begun her professional journey, taking her first steps in the legal field as an intern at a court.

"I started my path from the most challenging point—a court. But if you want to gain deep legal knowledge, this is the best place to start. Every day here presents a challenge, but that is exactly what guarantees growth," Syuzanna says, recalling her first experiences with a smile.

According to her, balancing studies and work is not easy, but when one has a clear goal and faith, difficulties simply become steps toward success.

"When you know where you want to reach, even the hardest days become rewarding. Your efforts accumulate, and eventually, you start seeing the results," she says.

The "Put Your Knowledge into Practice" program is structured in several phases. First, skill-development workshops are conducted, followed by business English courses that also prepare students for the challenges of the international market. Subsequently, with the support of YSU's partner organizations, participants undergo professional internships where they learn to apply their knowledge in real-world professional contexts.

Syuzanna emphasizes that the program's main idea is for students to start gaining practical experience earlier—before their final year at the university: "By the time we graduate, employers need ready professionals. If we gain experience during our studies, finding a job becomes not a problem, but a natural continuation." 

Currently, the program involves over 20 YSU students from the Faculties of Law, International Relations, Sociology, Mathematics and Mechanics, as well as the Institute of Physics. The participants include both young professionals already working and those just beginning to explore their potential.

The first two workshops, on "Self-Confidence and Recognizing One's Strengths" and "Digital Tools and Modern Skills", have already taken place. Further meetings and arrangements are planned, and the team does not limit itself to the program's current participants.

"We plan to organize open seminars in the future so that students outside the program can also benefit from these opportunities," Syuzanna says.

Confident that today's employers no longer focus solely on the color of a diploma or grades, she points out, "Today, what matters is not what you have learned, but how you apply what you have learned in practice. Employers value teamwork, proactiveness, and practical thinking. And these are precisely the skills our program develops."

The initiative already has its own Instagram page, where students can register and follow updates. Some participants joined through social media, while others were recruited by YSU Career and Alumni Center through official invitations. 

Syuzanna is certain that YSU continues to be a university that not only provides knowledge but also connects students to the practical environment of their chosen profession. 

"YSU does everything to ensure that students become in-demand specialists in the labor market. We must turn our knowledge into a tool to shape our future."