Discussion “Managing Change: The Art of Transition” for VMU community
We invite VMU students and staff to participate in the discussion “Managing Change: The Art of Transition”, which will be held in the framework of Alumni Day’22.
The international VMU alumni will share the best practices among each other on the crucial today’s topic: transition. Transition is an ongoing process which involves adaptation to different contexts and changes in interpersonal relationships (Jindal-Snape, 2010).
At the same time, the university has developed throughout its history. Many transitions happened because of which VMU developed, improved, became better, and adapted to the modern challenges of the world and these changes also affected its students, graduates, and teachers.
The discussion covers 4 main pillars:
- The transition from student life to professional life (alumni share their career stories focusing on ups and downs after graduation and how they overcome or manage them)
- The transition from one job to another (alumni share their experience on career changes, personal stories, lessons, tips, etc.)
- Manage change and transition (alumni share their experiences at the workplace: how they act as a specialist/leader/head of the company in today’s world)
- Management of difficult life transitions (alumni share their experience about job loss, moving to another country or another related topic etc.)
What: Discussion “Managing Change: The Art of Transition”
When: November 11, Friday, 15.00–17.00
Where: VMU Small Hall, S. Daukanto str. 28, Kaunas
Format: In-person
Meet our speakers – international VMU graduates:
Alexander Samuel Hixson, an alumnus of Sociolinguistics and Multilingualism MA programme (2022)
Topic “Changing from a student at VMU to a teacher at VMU and moving to another country”
Current Position: English Teaching Assistant at the Institute of Foreign Languages (B2)
About speaker:
I am 24 and I am from the UK. I speak English as my native language but also I speak German and Russian quite well, and I am learning Lithuanian.
I graduated in 2020 in England with a bachelors in English Language and TEFL, and then a Masters in 2022 from VMU in Sociolinguistics and Multilingualism (SoMu). I studied in Germany and Sweden before teaching in Lithuania. My biggest research interests lie in how language affects the shape of the world around us. My master’s thesis was on the difference in coverage of the Ukrainian war by US and Chinese news outlets, and how their perspectives “frame” our world in different ways and lead to each country’s people having a different outlook.
Angelica Peccini, an alumna of Sociolinguistics and Multilingualism MA programme (2017)
Topic “Limiting beliefs, fears, and the versatility of skills: how to get the best from the unpredictability of life”
Current position: PhD student at Vilnius University and International Relations Coordinator at KTU (faculty of Mechanical engineering and Design)
About speaker:
My education and work experiences are very different. I graduated in Translation studies in Italy and completed my Master’s program at VMU in Sociolinguistics and Multilingualism. As a PhD student, I research migrants’ identities through Lithuanian language learning, and at the same time, I work as an International Relations Coordinator at KTU by promoting and supporting students’ and teachers’ mobility abroad at the faculty of Mechanical engineering and Design. In the last ten years, I have worked several jobs in a variety of fields as tourism, design, language teaching, translation, and event organization: I was feeling unsuitable and struggling to fit in where my skills were actually needed the most. When I understood I was not a job position title but the competencies I had, the job market did not scare me anymore.
Kayako Takagi, an alumna of Educational Management MA programme (2019)
Topic “Manage change and transition”
Current position: Lecturer at the Faculty of Humanity and senior coordinator of the Centre for Asian Studies at Vytautas Magnus University.
About speaker:
I received BA in International Communication from Kansai Gaidai University in 2012 in Japan and M.Ed. in Educational Management from Vytautas Magnus University in 2019. Since I completed the Japanese language teaching program in 2012, I have taught at various educational institutes in multiple countries. My work focuses specifically on the Community of Practice and extensive reading of the Japanese language (tadoku).
Lakshya Dave, an alumnus of Applied English Linguistics MA programme (2022)
Topic “Transitioning as an international immigrant”
Current position: Social Media Manager
About speaker:
Coming from India, been living in Lithuania for 6 years. I have also lived in Mexico, Spain, China, and Austria for long periods of time. I have travelled to over 40 countries, so I have had my fair share of transitions and I can tell you it’s a love-hate relationship.
Deadline: November 9
See you at the event!
VMU Centennial’s Alumni Day’22
On the occasion of the centennial of the founding of the University of Lithuania and the anniversary of the re-establishment of VMU, we invite graduates and VMU community to the Alumni Day, which will take place on November 11.
Programme
15.00–17.00 Discussion “Managing Change: The Art of Transition”
Where: VMU Small Hall, S. Daukanto str. 28, Kaunas
Format: In-person and online
The key topic of this year’s discussion is “Managing Change: The Art of Transition” and it has been chosen on purpose.
The international VMU alumni will share the best practices among each other on the crucial today’s topic: transition. Transition is an ongoing process which involves adaptation to different contexts and changes in interpersonal relationships (Jindal-Snape, 2010).
At the same time, the university has developed throughout its history. Many transitions happened because of which VMU developed, improved, became better, adapted to the modern challenges of the world and these changes also affected its students, graduates, teachers.
The discussion “Managing Change: The Art of Transition” covers 4 main pillars:
- Transition from student life to professional life (alumni share their career stories focusing on ups and downs after graduation and how they overcome or manage them)
- Transition from one job to another (alumni share their experience on career changes, personal stories, lessons, tips, etc.)
- Manage change and transition (alumni share their experiences at the workplace: how they act as a specialist/leader/head of the company in today’s world)
- Management of difficult life transitions (alumni share their experience about job loss, moving to another country or another related topic etc.)
Meet our speakers – international VMU graduates:
- Alexander Samuel Hixson, an alumnus of Sociolinguistics and Multilingualism MA programme (2022). Topic “Changing from a student at VMU to a teacher at VMU and moving to another country”.
- Angelica Peccini, an alumna of Sociolinguistics and Multilingualism MA programme (2017). Topic “Limiting beliefs, fears, and the versatility of skills: how to get the best from the unpredictability of life”.
- Kayako Takagi, an alumna of Educational Management MA programme (2019). Topic “Manage change and transition”.
- Lakshya Dave, an alumnus of Applied English Linguistics MA programme (2022). Topic “Transitioning as an international immigrant”.
17:30–18:00 Get to know VMU again! – LIVE EVENT
We would like to invite the in-person participants of VMU Alumni Days to see an exhibition “Vivat Universitas Vytauti Magni!” opened in the VMU Rector’s Office on the occasion of the 100th anniversary of the university. It is full of photographs and stories featuring the life of the university since its foundation, throughout interwar activities until its restoration in 1989 and today’s work. Moreover, it is an amazing opportunity to visit the renovated spaces of VMU.
Where: K. Donelaičio str. 58
Format: in-person, the excursion will be in Lithuanian and English for both Lithuanian and international graduates.
17:15–18:00 Quiz “Get to know VMU again!” – ONLINE EVENT
Quiz via Kahoot for those international alumni who will be joining online and can’t attend the Alumni Day in person. The quiz includes 10 interesting questions about the history of VMU, current developments taking place, etc. Three winners will be awarded with prizes. Registration is mandatory.
18:15–20:00 VMU Alumni Club’s Forum “For the University-City-State: VMU Artes liberales alumni movement and testimonies”
VMU Alumni Club’s Forum “For the University-City-State: VMU Artes liberales alumni movement and testimonies”. The main topics of the forum: Alumni identity, role and responsibility in the state and the academic community, experience, merits, initiatives. More information coming soon.
Format: the event will be in Lithuanian. More details are expected soon.
21:00–22:00 Alumnų dūzgės
This event includes stand-up and open-mic exclusive stories, during which there will be plenty of laughter, commotion, and the best emotions. The location will be confirmed. More details are expected soon.
Format: the event will be in Lithuanian. More details are expected soon.
See you at VMU Alumni Day!
“idialogue” platform grows: career mentoring activities will also be available in English
As mentoring is becoming more and more popular, where various professionals share their experiences, and young professionals growing up in different spheres strive to continuously learn, improve, and learn new things – the “idialogue” mentoring platform is also evolving and Vytautas Magnus University (VMU) has been cooperating with it since 2019.
After a long and complex process, the English version of the “idialogue” mentoring platform has been launched, and VMU was one of the few universities that supported the upgrade to the English version of the platform. From now on, professionals and students from different fields will have the opportunity to participate in or conduct career mentoring in English, thus engaging a wider audience and building broader connections.
This career mentoring platform is completely free of charge and brings together the entire university community: academics, non-academic staff, alumni, and students. Both mentors and mentees can register on the platform. Once registered, mentors create a profile on the platform, where they provide information about themselves – a short introduction, experience, and areas of mentoring that mentees can apply for. Students who decide to find a mentor contact one of the selected persons by writing a letter stating their motivation to work with the mentor. Within 48 hours, a reply is given, and students can agree with the mentor on further details of communication and cooperation.
The benefits of the platform are undeniable for both the mentor and the mentee. Mentors not only help younger colleagues to develop their careers but also improve themselves by passing on their experience. We, therefore, invite all VMU students and mentors to join and actively use this career collaboration platform.
More information about mentoring platform.
VMU Career Centre informal lecture series “Savęs link’22”: online event “Sell yourself! Why your CV and a job interview are so important”
Vytautas Magnus University (VMU) Career Centre invites students and graduates to take part in an informal lecture-discussion of the informal lecture series “Savęs link’22” in April as well as to make use of the opportunities offered by the virtual CV clinic.
The already traditional series of informal lectures focus on self-discovery, self-knowledge, and the career journey – processes that take up a huge part of life when you are creating or searching for your dream job. The theme of the informal lecture series “Savęs link’22” aims to remind us that the most important and ongoing journey is the one of self-discovery, which can help us to build our future, and that asking questions of oneself and of others is an important process to find meaningful and enjoyable activities.
In March and April, university students and graduates will have the opportunity to take part in a virtual CV clinic: to consult and review their CV with a career professional, to get observations, valuable insights and advice on how to prepare their CV to meet all requirements. Want to get advice and a consultant’s opinion? You can send your CV to: cv@vdu.lt
April 12th (Tuesday)
April 12th 04:30 pm. “Sell yourself! Why your CV and a job interview are so important”
When looking for a job, it’s important to know how to create a CV, what not to do when creating a CV, how to prepare for a job interview and what to avoid. During the meeting, hosted by Aistė Savičienė, Head of Talent Acquisition at CyberCare, you will learn about the most necessary skills that are important for every job, what are the future trends in the field of work, and at the end of the meeting, there will be a Kahoot quiz.
Support for the Ukrainian academic communicity
Vytautas Magnus University (VMU), continuing the initiative dedicated to the support of Eastern Partnership countries, has extended a helping hand to the Ukrainians. In 2020, VMU established a support fund dedicated to students who suffered from repression by the Belarusian government. Now, this fund will also support students who suffered from military operations in Ukraine. The university is also prepared to welcome students and lecturers who are fleeing from war in Ukraine. Like other higher education schools in Lithuania, VMU has terminated relations with higher education institutions of Russia and Belarus.
VMU Career Centre provides assistance to students regarding employment by email: karjera@vdu.lt
TRAINING ABOUT REFUGEE RIGHTS & CULTURAL DIVERSITY in Kaunas
Training duration: 10.00 – 18.00; training location: Kaunas Cultural Centre of Various Nations, Šv. Gertrūdos street 58, Kaunas.
New catalogue of Internship and Volunteering Offers
VMU Career Centre invites everyone looking for an internship and volunteering place to review the newly published, fifteenth VMU Internship and Volunteering catalogue for university students. In this catalogue, students will find internship and volunteering offers of enterprises, public institutions, non-governmental organizations. We are hoping that each of you will find something useful in the pages that follow!
Catalogue of Internship and Volunteering Offers you will find here:
Catalogue on Intership and Volunteering Offers No. 15 / January, 2022
For more information:
The Flag, Symbolising the Ideas of the University, Will Invite People to Gather in the Town of Šilalė
Initiative of the Flag Bearer’s Mission, launched by Vytautas Magnus University at the end of 2019, is gradually gaining the momentum and is contributing to the implementation of the University’s new 2021-2027 Strategic Plan, which focuses on the mobilisation, listening, and well-being of the VMU alumni community. Mrs. Samanta Ėringė, Alumni Coordinator, says that the University has a very important task in building an alumni community – to keep in touch and at the same time to maintain a connection and relationship with the successful alumni, who have graduated from the University.
“In order to implement this task, we are aiming to intensify the initiative of VMU Flag Bearer’s Mission, the aim of which is to hand over a flag, symbolizing the ideas of VMU, to our active alumni, who would be invited to gather and interact with other alumni who support and promote the ideas of the university, according to the territorial principle, outside the academic city or even the country,” says Mrs. Ėringė, VMU Alumni Coordinator. VMU Flag Bearers has become representatives of their Alma Mater in different locations, both in Lithuania and abroad, carrying the message about the activities carried out at the University, contributing to the organisation of events, and dissemination of information.
“The VMU Flag Bearers have a very important mission, which is to create VMU “micro” communities or VMU “islands” in different cities and towns in Lithuania and all around the world, to keep in touch with the University and spread the University’s message in their communities, to allow young people to discover their way to the VMU through their own unique studying and learning experiences, to become the direct link between the University and the hearts and minds of students. Accepting the VMU flag is a special commitment and important determination to continue to nurture and build our Alma Mater together. Therefore, we are very grateful to each and every one of them for flying VMU flags high,” – shared her thoughts the Vice-Rector of Communication, Dr. Mrs. Vilma Bijeikienė.
During this year’s “Alumni Day’21” event, Mrs. Rima Norvilienė, VMU graduate of German Philology study programme, who currently lives in town of Šilalė, has become the VMU Flag Bearer. Mrs. Norvilienė is an active public figure in Šilalė, well-known for her active involvement in social activities and initiatives. Mrs. Norvilienė is also a member of the Šilalė District Municipality Council, one of the founders of the Šilalė Guides Association, a pioneer of the mind-fight games in Šilalė District, the founder of the initiative “Unheard Facts About Šilalė”, and the author and initiator of countless other projects.
We invite you to meet the newest of VMU Flag Bearers, Mrs. Rima Norvilienė.
How does it feel to return to your Alma mater?
I graduated in German Philology 14 years ago. This number raises even my own eyebrows because it seems so long ago. However, I must admit that I don’t feel the passage of time because I remember my studies as one of the best times of my life. As I have already mentioned in my speech at the Alumni Day’21, that I really don’t need to be pulled by the tongue, because whoever has heard me talking about my years of studies, they must know that I always emphasise that VMU is MY university.
I was very happy to be asked to become the University’s Flag Bearer. I had a great opportunity to return to the place where I grew as a person, where I gained courage, and where I found a group of like-minded people who are still in my life today. I would describe the feeling of returning as nostalgically pleasant and warm because I have always felt like I belong here.
How do you see VMU today and how would you like to see it in the future?
I see the University growing and changing. For many years I have been observing from the side-lines the University’s study programmes and other activities, the variety of which is very pleasing. It is so great to see that students are given the opportunity to take an interest in different fields, to get involved in a wide range of activities, and to develop themselves. In my opinion, the University is moving in the right direction, responding to the changes of society and trying to be attractive to the younger generation. However, it is important to maintain its identity and face the changes as well as to be competitive not only with Lithuanian but also with foreign universities. Therefore, I would like to see the university in the future as a university that produces professionals their own fields and also personalities of the world.
How could VMU Flag Bearers, including you, contribute to the University’s activities, its’ growth and promotion in Lithuania?
In general, I applaud the initiative of the University’s Flag Bearer. It gives our university the opportunity to keep in touch with alumni, strengthen the alumni community, and at the same time it is a great area to share the good news about the university. In my opinion, Flag Bearers would be great intermediaries between the university, their neighbourhoods, the prospective students who are around them, and even the kind of career counsellors or advisors who can share their personal experiences, answer questions, or point out where to get the information they need.
It is also important for the Flag Bearer to be active in their communities and to be good role models. I also see possibility for the activities of Flag Bearers to be held in various types of events, such as organising lectures, exhibitions, participating in the University events.
What does this VMU Flag Bearer’s mission means to you personally?
Receiving the flag of the University is not only a nice gift, but also a commitment, so I take this mission as the Flag Bearer very responsibly. I will do my best to live up to the expectations and be an active part of the university’s community in my home region of Šilalė. It is also important to mention that I see this mission as personal development, self-expression, and an opportunity to be useful.
For more information:
Alumni Coordinator, Mrs. Samanta Ėringė
- Address S. Daukanto str. 27-303, Kaunas
- Phone +37064730143
- E-mail: samanta.eringe@vdu.lt
Join and participate in virtual event VMU Career Day 2021
Vytautas Magnus University (VMU) Career Centre invites all international students participate the VMU Career Day virtual event on November 29th, 5 PM, on the MS “Teams” platform. Estimated event duration – 1 hour.
During the Career Day, students will learn how to build their careers by using social networking, social networking in a targeted way, and how to build an online image of yourself to your future employers or organizations, we will hear about how to find and get a job in Lithuania, about Erasmus+ recent graduate traineeship programme which gives a chance to adapt to the labour market demands of the entire EU, improve professional skills, familiarize of a specific country’s economy, social system and culture.
Career day programme:
- “Peoplelink” Recruitment Consultant Akvilė Sabulytė will share some advice on how build your social networks and engage with employers, how to get noticed on social media.
- Society “Lithuanian Red Cross” Employment Specialist Toma Čekanskaitė will tell “How to find a job in Lithuania?” The ways and subtleties of finding a job, the need for highly skilled professionals, etc.
- VMU The International Cooperation Department representatives will talk about Erasmus postgraduate traineeships as a career and skills development opportunity.
We are encouraging all VMU students don’t miss this opportunity and participate in the VDU Career Day virtual event, meet with potential employers and the university’s community without leaving their homes.
During the discussion students will be able to engage in discussions and ask questions such as job options, internship opportunities or how to continue your studies at VMU. Registration is required to attend the event, and we will send you log-in information to the online event via the email address provided in your registration.
We look forward to seeing all of you, participate us and invite your friends!
Aiming to bring together and unite VMU alumni
Vytautas Magnus University (VMU), as part of its 2021-2027 strategic goals related to mobilising the alumni community, keeping in touch with and improving the university’s community through alumni experience, has established the position of VMU Alumni Coordinator, which will be held by Samanta Ėringė, VMU alumni who graduated with a Bachelor’s major in Creative Industries.
Vilma Bijeikienė, VMU Vice-Rector for Communication, has no doubt that this position is particularly important and necessary for the implementation of the new University Strategic Plan 2021-2027, which focuses on the mobilisation, listening and well-being of the VMU community.
“We are still underestimating the important role that alumni can and should play in the university’s community, and we are not yet finding ways to the greater collaboration. The new position has difficult and strategically important tasks: to initiate, coordinate and support the faculties in the implementation of activities that create and maintain connection with alumni, to offer mutually beneficial opportunities to alumni, to collaborate with the university and to develop ambassadorship,” says Vice-Rector V. Bijeikienė, adding that we all need to work together in order to achieve good results, and that the new coordinator will need the support and goodwill of all faculties and departments of the University.
Doc. dr. Vilma Bijeikienė
We invite you to meet the new VMU Alumni Coordinator, Samantha Ėringė, and find out about her work and goals, her personal experiences and the importance of alumni at the University.
Samanta, what are some of your own experiences that can help you in your work as an alumni coordinator?
I became a graduate two years ago and then began my winding journey towards my dream career and job. It all seemed simple, but in fact it was complicated. However, I took away information and experiences from the whole process that I can now share with others and facilitate the journey of current and future graduates.
I graduated from Vytautas Magnus University with a Bachelor’s degree in Creative Industries and completed the Entrepreneurship Academy’s supplementary study programme. The broad spectrum of the specialty and the values of the university and the opportunities given to me during the period of my studies have not only given me knowledge and a professional degree but have also brought me up and matured me as a creative, honest, and free person. In 2020, I became a co-founder of a coffee business. We started the business from the very beginning, with a lot of questions but very few answers, which we sought directly through experience. In this job, I learned how to plan my time, create services and products, manage finances, and also gained a lot of experience in marketing and communication. I think that these skills will be an integral part of my work as the Alumni Coordinator.
As VMU Alumni Coordinator, what are your goals in this work?
One of the main goals is to bring together a free, adventurous, and experience-sharing alumni community. To develop, improve, and communicate in a clear manner the benefits and services that the University can provide to alumni. One of the newest tools for alumni is the “VMU Identity” card, which will allow students to keep in touch with the university after the graduation and foster a sense of community. The next milestone is with the “VMU Alumni Club”, whose mission is to connect people who have studied at the university and maintain a close relationship with the university. The main tasks, that I have set to myself in relation to the VMU Alumni Club are to intensify communication between the club and student communities and to develop connection with alumni from different faculties of VMU, thereby creating a united community that will represent VMU not only in Lithuania but also abroad.
What are your main areas of activity?
My position is dedicated to coordinating, organising, and carrying out a wide range of activities related to VMU alumni and their communities and associations.
Why do you think it is important for the university to focus more on graduates and their integration into the university?
VMU alumni are an integral part of the university community. VMU alumni not only know the university, its culture, organisation of studies, but also have a wide range of professional experience. It is very important for VMU alumni to be more actively involved in the university’s community and in the university’s structural management bodies. And to put it simply but accurately – it is always a good thing when former students do not lose touch with their university and return to it in a different “amplua”, joining the community and working unitedly to promote and foster the university.
You are a graduate of VMU yourself what is your opinion: should a graduate continue to participate in the life of the university after graduation? What can this type of participation bring to both the university and the graduate?
It should, but only if one wants to. And to make sure that they want to and find value in it, my colleagues at the university and I are ready to work consistently. In my experience, it can be very difficult to get a foothold after graduation and to find the answers to both technical and professional questions. It is in this situation that the VMU alumni community could be of great value in providing answers, support, and encouragement. The value that a university can create for an alumnus is first and foremost education, the creation of the right conditions and incentives for lifelong learning, a space for collaboration and the opportunity to not only participate in the various activities of the VMU, but also to be involved in organising them, thus adding value to the university and to themselves. For the graduate, for the university, it is about feedback, community, representation and representation of the university, continuous growth.
If you are a graduate of VMU who is interested in communicating and collaborating with VMU, please contact VMU Alumni Coordinator Samanta Ėringė.
Alumni coordinator Samanta Ėringė
Address S. Daukanto str. 27-303, Kaunas
Phone number +37064730143 (inner 4603)
E-mail samanta.eringe@vdu.lt