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"Today's young talents aren't attracted merely by corporate presentations, perfect corporate identities, or impressive designs. They want to see real people—the personalities behind a brand. They want to understand their vision, values, and beliefs," said Zdeněk Peroutka, Dean of the Faculty of Electrical Engineering, University of West Bohemia in Pilsen (FEL UWB). These exact individuals and leaders shared their experiences with students from the Faculty of Electrical Engineering, University of West Bohemia in Pilsen on Tuesday, March 11, during the FEL Inspiration Day event.

Jakub Drahorád, Site General Manager at Valeo, provided students insights into managerial work in his talk titled Leadership vs. Management. He emphasized that being a manager involves not only technical knowledge, planning, cost management, and production oversight but also working closely with people—motivating, rewarding, and continually educating them. "If you want to work with people, you need to know not just how to communicate and motivate them but also understand their tasks. This isn't achievable just from an office; you must see everything firsthand in the actual operational environment. And most importantly, whatever you do must bring you joy," Jakub Drahorád explained.

Vítězslav Lukáš, Managing Director of ABB Czech Republic and Director of Robotics Division, discussed innovation as an essential element, not just a bonus. He explained that many countries today can manufacture high-quality complex products, but the path to true prosperity lies in new technologies. Using practical examples, he highlighted innovation as a never-ending process driving humanity forward in all areas, noting its growing significance amidst increasingly fierce global competition. "Even if a company is doing well, it can't stop innovating and developing new technologies and products," Vítězslav Lukáš pointed out, adding, "Innovation not only sustains a company's market position but enhances competitiveness and overall value. One approach we take is systematically increasing robotics and automation in production based on real customer needs."

Petr Šimáček, Branch Manager at Yamazaki Mazak Central Europe, advised students on how to enjoy work without becoming overwhelmed. Drawing from his experience, he highlighted differences between corporate structures and a Japanese family business. He provided practical advice for students transitioning effectively from university into professional environments: "Enjoy student life and utilize all it offers. Don’t hesitate to travel and study abroad, for example through Erasmus. Work on your language skills. This will significantly enhance your value in the job market. Once you start your professional career, all these experiences will enable you to fully harness your capabilities."

FEL Inspiration Day was held for the first time at UWB this year, and similar events are planned for the future. It connected academia with industry and provided valuable food for thought to students soon facing new professional challenges. "Inspiration can lead to personal growth, self-awareness, self-development, and innovation. After all, many great discoveries arose precisely from moments of inspiration," concluded Dean Zdeněk Peroutka.