YSU launches "Career Compass: Find Your Path" career development program

Tatevik Hovhannisyan, Deputy Director of the YSU Alumni and Career Center, described the program as a continuously evolving initiative aimed at creating an effective platform for collaboration among YSU students, graduates, and HR professionals. The program comprises two main components: group consultations and individual consultations.

In the group sessions, HR specialists from partner organizations act as advisors, sharing industry insights and the skills most in demand in today's labor market. These discussions allow students to connect theoretical knowledge gained at university with real-world employer expectations and to receive answers to their questions. 

The individual consultations take a more practical approach, supporting each participant's professional development and self-presentation skills. Students undergo mock interviews, have their strengths and weaknesses analyzed, and get assistance in drafting and refining CVs and motivation letters. They are also guided in building their personal and digital professional image and developing individualized career roadmaps. These consultations involve students from YSU's "Human Resource Management" master's program, with professional support from the Alumni and Career Center team.

The program also provides a collaborative platform for participating organizations. Speaking during the panel discussion on the use of AI tools in interview preparation, Narek Hakobyan, co-founder of HR Drone and M-One, explained that AI can support both candidates and employers. According to him, responses generated by AI tools are often recognizable to employers, but what truly matters is how these tools are used. 

"If a candidate can obtain the right answers through the correct use of tools and instructions, it is entirely welcome. The key lies in how the tool is used," he said.

Emma Margaryan, Group Recruitment Manager at Soft Construct Holding, highlighted that thanks to effective cooperation with the YSU Alumni and Career Center, many of the company's vacancies have been filled by YSU students and graduates.

"When I receive a CV from a YSU student, I already have confidence in their solid professional foundation, both theoretically and practically. University education is not limited to a narrow specialization," she stressed.

YSU graduates successfully secure employment in their professional fields, as shown by data from Heghine Mikayelyan, Head of Talent Acquisition and Training Department at Inecobank, and Mariana Edilyan, Head of Human Resources Department at Viva Armenia. According to them, a significant proportion of employees at these companies are YSU graduates.

"At our company, we have around 1,000 employees, more than 25 percent of whom are YSU graduates or students. Over the past two years, more than 120 students have joined us. Each year, the number of YSU graduates we hire grows by roughly 50 percent, which demonstrates strong demand for specialists trained at the university," said Heghine Mikayelyan.

Before entering the workforce, YSU students also have opportunities for internships at partner organizations. Coca-Cola HBC Armenia offers multiple internship programs and has maintained long-term cooperation with the YSU Alumni and Career Center. 

"We have a longstanding partnership with YSU through internship programs. Many students join us as interns and successfully continue their professional journey within our organization," said Nelli Purtoyan, Head of Human Resources Department at Coca-Cola HBC Armenia. 

YSU graduate and HR specialist Gor Grigoryan emphasized the practical value of the initiative, noting that panel discussions and guidance can be highly beneficial for young professionals.

Armenuhi Hovakimyan, a fourth-year student in the "Cross-Cultural Communication" program at the YSU Faculty of European Languages and Communication, described the event as a highly engaging experience. She emphasized that expert advice—particularly on writing effective CVs, performing well in interviews, and taking the right first career steps—is extremely important for students, as it helps them better envision their career path. 

Rima Zakaryan, Head of HR at Armenian Card CJSC, said the program is truly a valuable initiative for both students and employers. "It contributes to the development and professional growth of young people, while also giving employers the opportunity to better understand future specialists and bring them into their teams. I am confident that students will bring fresh energy and new ideas to every organization," she said.

Anna Maksudyan, Head of YSU's "Human Resource Management" master's program, stressed the importance of continuity: "This is a pilot program, and I hope it will have a long-term trajectory, serving the professional development of the university's students and graduates." 

The program is expected to help students and graduates gain confidence in their professional fields, develop a clearer vision of their career paths, and provide employers with a stronger pool of young professionals who meet their needs.