“Does it usually blow up a lot?” – David Fernandes, a final year student (Master’s Programme in Electrical and Computer Engineering – MEEC), can’t hide his enthusiasm when he asks the speaker questions. That’s exactly the point of the “Inside Talks” activity – several tables set up in a room to host groups that will discuss the day-to-day life of an electrical engineer within various companies. A huge screen shows the brief minutes that the Técnico students have to exchange views with the company representatives at their table before they have to switch to the next one.
Anyone entering the Técnico Innovation Center during those days would see a peculiar setting – arcade machines and a driving game simulator, dozens of stalls for exchanging views with electrical industry professionals and a prize draw that included rubber duckies. The Electrical and Computer Engineering Seminar Series (JEEC), held from 19th to 23rd February, brought together Técnico students curious to find out more about potential career options in this area of engineering.
MEEC final-year students Mariana Rato, Inês Pinto and Adrian Herta have attended JEEC for several years. “This year we are participating even more actively”, says Adrian. “Our colleagues from other schools probably don’t have this kind of event or, if they do, are on a smaller scale. They often say ‘Wow, I’d love to have this opportunity’,” he shared.
The group of friends took part in several activities, including the “InsideTalks”, and made contact with the various companies at the Técnico Innovation Center, which differed from day to day. “I think the most interesting thing is this contact with company representatives”, says Inês. “I want to become aware of all the opportunities around me”, she added.
António Morais, a 3rd-year Electrical and Computer Engineering student and a member of JEEC’s organisation, believes that the best thing a visitor can get from JEEC is knowledge – “they’ll realise what they want”. “An undergraduate student who has not yet decided what to do next can attend JEEC and make contact with friendly people, often company representatives who have already attended the Undergraduate Programme in Electrical and Computer Engineering at Técnico”, he explains.
João Neves, a Técnico student visiting JEEC with a group of friends, praised the event and shared “this is a much easier way to get in touch with companies”. The student believes that ” LinkedIn connections are more formal”, whereas at JEEC “you can talk directly to people and ask questions in a more relaxed way”. “This type of event is useful both for those who are starting university life and for those who are about to finish it”.
