Introducing engineering chemistry students into the workplace: a qualitative study among general scientific and business companies in Bulgaria

Abstract

This manuscript reports the results of a qualitative study introducing engineering student into the workplace and increasing their job opportunities. Student Training Internship Programs funding by the European Social Fund have been started in Bulgarian universities (BG051РО001 – 3.3.07 – 0002) in order to increase the possibility for the student transition from educational institutions to the workplace as well as the successful realization of young people on the labor market. Students of bachelor’s and master’s degree at the University of Chemical Technology and Metallurgy took part in this initiative, in addition to a large number of business and scientific organizations. It was observed students distribution in two training programs - the first represented by a scientific institute (Institute of Solid State Physics, Bulgarian Academy of Science), and the second - by a private enterprise ( Bulgarian bank). Approximately 10 % of students who completed their internship programs subsequently gained employment at work positions announced after the end of the project. It appears that the proposed mechanism for practical training of students from engineering majors is in fact highly useful, as it leads to gaining new knowledge, skills and competencies thus serves as a solid basis for students’ future career development