From Classroom to Career: How Vilnius University Transforms Students into Professionals
At Vilnius University (VU), students gain a strong foundation for their future careers and are often encouraged to take the first steps on their professional path. One example is Gustavo Adolfo Mota Salinas, who came to Lithuania from Mexico to pursue a Master’s degree in Finance and Banking. While still a student, he was hired by ‘Western Union’, and later, during his doctoral studies, advanced to the position of senior data scientist. According to Gustavo, VU not only boosted his confidence but also equipped him with knowledge he could successfully apply in his job.
‘To be honest, Vilnius University significantly boosted my self-confidence. I was a good student back in Mexico, but I never truly felt that I had a strong academic background. VU helped me understand my abilities and showed me that there are meaningful challenges here for me to pursue. During my studies, we had genuinely interesting and complex course units, such as Economics, which proved very useful in my first job in Lithuania. In my view, the study programme aligns well with industry needs – especially for those aiming to work in the finance and banking sector,’ said G. A. Nota Salinas, a doctoral student in Economics at the VU Faculty of Economics and Business Administration.
He first came to Lithuania and VU as an exchange student, driven, as he says, by curiosity. Later, G. A. Mota Salinas chose to pursue his Master’s degree at VU EVAF because of the strong study programme and the rapid development of the fintech and banking sector in Lithuania.
While still a Master’s student, he joined ‘Western Union’ as a pricing analyst. ‘Interestingly, I had a very challenging course in Economics at the University. While it was tough at the time, I later found it extremely useful at ‘Western Union’, where I applied concepts like price elasticity and economic theory in practice.’
Gustavo says that he was promoted last year and now holds the position of a senior data scientist at the company. When asked about his future plans, the doctoral student mentioned that he envisions his life in Lithuania.
‘Over the years, I have built my own community here, in Lithuania, and grown very attached to the people. I cannot imagine living far from Lithuania – I see my future here. I also see this country developing in many directions,’ he added.
Job hunting, both in Lithuania and internationally, can be difficult despite the many opportunities available. The VU Career Centre, therefore, offers five key tips for success:
Target your applications
It may seem ‘safe’ to apply to multiple positions at once, but in Lithuania, employers tend to value targeted applications. Take time to read about the company and choose positions that genuinely match your skills. Targeted applications to one to three similar positions within a company help you stand out as a motivated candidate. However, applying to every open position in a company may demonstrate unclear motivation and result in your automatic rejection.
Make a strong first impression by email
A brief message like ‘Here is my CV’ will not convey who you are or how you can contribute to the company. Clear communication demonstrates professionalism and encourages others to take you and your CV seriously. Start with ‘Dear Hiring Manager,’ briefly introduce yourself, and explain why you are interested in the position.
Follow local professional etiquette
Lithuanians value punctuality and straightforward communication. Always arrive five to ten minutes early for interviews, confidently extend a handshake, make friendly eye contact, and maintain appropriate personal distance. People may appear reserved at first, but do not worry – trust will be built gradually.
Keep your CV and LinkedIn profile simple but strong
Use a clean layout, list your most recent experience first, and avoid including unnecessary personal details (such as gender or age). On LinkedIn, use a professional photo and a clear headline like ‘Business Student at VU | E-commerce.’ Enable the ‘Open to Work’ feature so recruiters can easily find you.
Be curious and proactive
Ask questions, join student events, and connect with classmates and professors. Networking is one of the most effective ways to discover opportunities in Lithuania. Just remember – contacting employers too often, such as sending multiple messages at once, can come across as impolite. Aim for a balance between showing your interest and respecting your potential employer’s time.
VU offers the following opportunities for students willing to test their skills with diverse organisations, develop business ideas, or discover their strengths:
The Smart Internship programme offers students from various fields of study the opportunity to work in teams of five to seven on cases provided by enterprises or institutions, under the guidance of both a University internship supervisor and a mentor from the host organisation. The programme is based on a creative thinking methodology, called Design Thinking, and includes optional training to help students strengthen skills in planning, teamwork, public speaking, and reflection. Open to all Vilnius University students, regardless of programme, cycle, or year, Smart Internship provides not only insight into how organisations operate but also opportunities to build professional contacts and gain practical knowledge that supports future careers. To discover more about the Smart Internship scheme, please click here. In addition to Smart Internships, VU students can also participate in a one-year Erasmus+ Traineeship and a range of other career opportunities.
Tech Hub:
VU students interested in testing their entrepreneurial skills can join the VU Tech Hub, a six-month pre-accelerator programme held annually. During the programme, teams develop their business ideas and learn how to present them to investors, supported by experienced mentors, workshops, and individual consultations. Highly motivated students are selected for the Accelerator, where they not only gain essential entrepreneurial skills but also meet potential team members, become part of the start-up ecosystem, and have the opportunity to pitch their ideas to real investors. The team with the most promising idea receives a monetary prize from SEB Bank to support further business development. For more information about this opportunity, please visit this link.
Future Skills Pentathlon:
VU organises a programme designed to help students discover their strengths across five competencies: cooperation, responsibility, intercultural understanding, problem-solving, and adaptability. Delivered in collaboration with partners and guest lecturers, the programme offers valuable insights and fosters a supportive environment for learning, communication, and personal growth. More information about the programme is available here.