From Faculty straight into Practice: Faculty of Arts at UWB Connects Students with Business

Business negotiations, corporate culture and innovations in logistics — young people at the Faculty of Arts had the chance to experience all of it in a single day. Nearly one hundred students took part in the Day with Practice event.

The aim was clear: to make the transition from university to employment smoother and to show how academic skills can be applied beyond campus. According to the organizers, the event exceeded expectations.

“We are thrilled by the positive feedback and strong interest, which shows how much students value linking theory with practice. This success encourages us to prepare even more diverse and hands-on programmes in the future and to become a bridge between the faculty and the career paths of our graduates,” said project coordinator Jana Krucká from the Faculty of Arts of the University of West Bohemia in Pilsen. The high attendance confirmed, she added, that cooperation between academia and real-world business is in demand.

Throughout the day, students attended lectures focused on essential soft skills and modern workplace environments. Lecturer Tomáš Bršlica, a banker and corporate client advisor at UCB, spoke about business negotiations, covering strategic preparation and the BATNA concept (Best Alternative to a Negotiated Agreement). In the final survey, participants appreciated above all the practical approach and the reminder that compromise is not always the optimal outcome.

Markéta Willis, developer and programming mentor, demonstrated how to communicate one’s experience and story confidently within seconds — skills she considers vital for networking and job interviews. Eva Mizerová and Hugo Peñaloza of BlueLink International CZ discussed how multicultural teams enrich the workplace and showed that even call centre work can be meaningful and offer room for growth.

The Day with Practice, however, was not only about lectures. Participants also met with representatives of various companies and discussed industry-related topics directly. Alongside BlueLink International CZ, several other firms from different market segments presented themselves. Alllog Group showcased innovations in logistics and 3D simulation while highlighting the importance of German as a working language. NOVEM Car Interior Design offered insight into automotive interior manufacturing — here too German was described as indispensable. The Czech Statistical Office demonstrated why verified data and transparency are crucial for decision-making in both public and private sectors.

According to the final survey, students mostly valued that the event helped them better understand corporate environments, encouraged active participation in discussions and provided concrete negotiation techniques. "The lecture on negotiation was the best, I want to continue practicing these techniques. The Day with Practice gave me both new professional information and very specific ideas for personal development," said an unnamed participant in the questionnaire. For the next edition of the Day with Practice, students would welcome larger spaces and involving an even wider range of companies.