Talent Bootcamp kicked off at 9:00 a.m. on May 12th. Miguel Gonçalves started the session by telling all the presents that, most likely, some would meet their future boss during the two days of the event. The sessions took place exclusively online in an intense work dynamic that promised to help Técnico students to integrate into the job market and to connect with the most diverse companies. With expectation, there were 173 people in the Zoom session ready for an experience that, according to the representative of Magma Studio, could provide to the Bootcampers very good tools that would make all the difference when making decisions in relation to their careers.

More than choosing a company, brand, or logo, “the big challenge they have at their hands is to choose an absolutely unique and extraordinary project. The supply in your area is greater than demand”, added Miguel Gonçalves, who made a point of praising the importance of conducting interviews in advance, to have a greater possibility of choice in relation to the several offers in the market.

With nearly 200 Bootcampers registered and 136 representatives from different companies, the event promised not to disappoint. The agenda of the day began with an activity that involved Pitch exercises among students (a brief presentation of up to two minutes, which includes a presentation about the candidate, his academic experience, hobbies and other experiences that could add value to a recruiter). Skills exercises followed, in which each student of Técnico was invited to talk about the experiences that enriched his life and, at the same time, reveal skills to recruiters. “Market value is the product or service you sell. You don’t have to sell yourself. You’re not for sale. You sell a product or a service”, added Miguel Gonçalves.

In the afternoon, a working session was followed with the 40 companies, who in interaction with bootcampers provided feedback on the wishes of students, who expressed the areas in which they intended to work and what their academic and professional objectives were. “The value of my career depends on how much I score in each of my skills. Companies invest in valuable people,” explained Miguel Gonçalves, saying that companies don’t buy qualifications or titles, but competencies.

“When you feel the difficulty, that’s confirmation that you have to get over it.”

If on the first day the environment in the Zoom rooms already had several participants and a lot of focus on what Talent Bootcamp had to offer, the second day surprised with 222 people online simultaneously. Several groups of Técnico, teachers, representatives of companies and even the President of Técnico, Professor Rogério Colaço was present and was able to say a few words to all the presents. “Seeing here more than 200 people present at Bootcamp makes the president very happy. More than just seeing the Noble Hall full of people. These kinds of initiatives… when I finished my course there was none of this. What do I like? What do I want? The spectrum of those who enter the job market now is much higher now,” he said enthusiastically.

Two rounds of pitches were followed by the students, who listened carefully to the observations and suggestions for improvement. Recommendations of greater assertiveness, objectivity and improvements in the narrative were some of the ideas that the students of Técnico integrated and applied immediately in the next round, confirming the effectiveness of this interaction dynamics, achieving immediate results. If the first round the students of Técnico have already managed to surprise, in the second round they did even more and better.

Each participant was evaluated by company representatives, subsequently shared assessments, as a feedback mechanism, to help students reflect on their performance and dare to make improvements in their approach to companies. The representative of Magma Studio explained to the Bootcampers that when they feel a difficulty, this is the confirmation that they must move on and overcome that same difficulty, expanding the comfort zone.

This was followed by a job preparation training, which included precise instructions on how to improve and develop a curriculum, how to make a cover letter for each application and what is the best way to do follow up and keep the contact with the companies.

The event ended with an exchange of ideas and clarification of doubts, regarding the tools content shared over the two days. In the 2022 edition were present students of 1st, 2nd and 3rd year and even finalists. If you didn’t have the opportunity to participate in this edition, stay tuned. The Talent Bootcamp promises to return again in September.