interviews: Maximiliano Crocamo
Interviews: Nicola Manfren, Central Directorate for Labor, Training, Education and Family; Donata Vianelli, Rector of the University of Trieste; Samuele Battistella, physics student and recipient of the Danieli Grant; Giuseppe Nugnes, civil engineering student.
Nearly 700 students and recent graduates gathered this week at the University of Trieste for JOBUniTS, the institution’s annual career day, where academic ambition met the practical demands of the labor market.
Now in its 15th year, the event has become a central fixture in the university’s calendar, drawing close to 70 companies and organizations from across the region as well as multinational firms. This year’s edition marked a modest expansion in corporate participation, reflecting a broader effort to strengthen ties between higher education and industry.
The scale of engagement was notable. Organizers reported more than 5,000 résumés submitted in advance, leading to approximately 3,000 job interviews conducted over the course of the event. For many attendees, the day offered a first direct encounter with recruiters, often in rapid succession.
A new feature this year, described as “speed mentoring,” introduced short, informal sessions between participants and alumni of the university. The format allowed students to receive last-minute advice from former graduates now working across a range of professions, offering practical insights ahead of scheduled interviews.
“It’s a way to bridge experience and expectation in a very immediate setting,” one organizer noted, describing the initiative as an attempt to humanize what can otherwise be a high-pressure environment.
Alongside recruitment activities, three students were awarded company-sponsored scholarships. Luz Marina Traetta and Samuele Battistella received prizes funded by the Danieli Group, while Diana Sofia Pacchione was recognized with an award for female innovation supported by Innova. Each recipient will also have access to internship opportunities.
Participating employers represented a wide cross-section of sectors, including finance, engineering, logistics, energy, and consulting. Among them were major Italian and international firms such as Allianz, Fincantieri, Generali, and PwC, as well as regional institutions and public agencies.
As universities across Europe continue to adapt to shifting economic conditions, events like JOBUniTS underscore a growing emphasis on employability and early career networking. For students in Trieste, the day offered not only a chance to secure interviews, but also a clearer view of the professional landscape awaiting them beyond graduation.
