For many students, especially senior students, the topic of distribution causes excitement and even fear. Nevertheless, the preliminary distribution is approaching, and in this connection we talked to graduates who are already working and are ready to share their impressions and give advice to their younger comrades.
Yulia Prashkevich, FME graduate in economics and production organisation (mechanical engineering).
After graduation in 2023, the girl was assigned to Minsk Tractor Works as an engineer for labour organisation and rationing of the 2nd category.
-The word ‘factory’ was always something scary and frightening at university, but in fact it turned out to be quite different, everything turned out much better than it seemed. What pleased me most of all was the support of the enterprise for young specialists, namely financial support. Thus, having graduated from university with a diploma with honours, I receive two bonuses: as a young specialist and as a graduate with a red diploma. However, this is only valid for the period of work on placement.
Yulia, being an activist at the Belarusian National Technical University, came to the factory and was pleasantly surprised by the vibrant cultural life. She noted that she had already been to a tourist camp, various sporting events and dialogue platforms.
- What tasks did you perform during your distribution? Were they difficult?
-Initially, of course, it seems that there is a lot of information and it is impossible to understand it all. However, after some time, it all falls into place, and now, after 1.5 years of work, I can consider myself a fully-fledged specialist. My manufactory is complex, multifaceted, and there are a lot of tasks, but this makes it more interesting, and I will have more knowledge and experience.
Speaking about myths, Yulia told us that many people mistakenly consider distribution as an extremely negative experience. However, for most graduates it becomes an opportunity for development, career advancement, and gaining useful acquaintances.
Alexandra Mikhnyuk, FME graduate in economics and production organisation (instrument engineering)
The girl studied on a paid basis, but on her own initiative took part in the distribution of graduates and went to work at the ‘Niva-Holding’ - ‘Mining Equipment Factory’ in her hometown.
-- What were your job expectations before the distribution? Did they match reality?
- I was already familiar with the place of my distribution, as I had done my apprenticeship there. I expected it to be a good opportunity to put my theoretical knowledge into practice and learn new skills. In general, my expectations were met, although some aspects of the work were more challenging than I had anticipated.
Alexandra was pleasantly surprised at how quickly she was able to adapt to the workflow and receive feedback from her colleagues.
- At the beginning I was disappointed only by my own inexperience at certain points, but this problem can be remedied, and at the moment I can say that I have successfully got into the workflow. Colleagues are always ready to help and share their experience.
Alexandra Mikhnyuk deals with a wide range of tasks related to labour accounting and rationing of workers, as well as workplace certification. She noted that ‘the knowledge of business economics and labour standards acquired at the university proved to be the most in demand, and MS Office skills are also actively used’.
The girl shared that one of the most interesting tasks was to photograph the working day of the heat treatment and electroplating area. This required a deep dive into the working moments, which allowed us to better understand the production environment and gain valuable knowledge and experience.
One of the myths sounds like this: distribution work is just a routine job with no opportunity to show initiative. Many students-graduates on the threshold of employment are afraid of the future place of work, but their worries are exaggerated to a greater extent. Distribution provides an opportunity to gain valuable experience and apply theoretical knowledge in a real work environment.
- Often the first serious job is a personal challenge, allowing one not only to make a sensible assessment of one's strengths, but also to realise what knowledge and skills may be lacking. It is these factors that contribute to the development of oneself as a highly qualified specialist.
- How has distribution affected your plans for the future?
- The distribution pushed me to the idea of continuing my education in the economic field to deepen my knowledge. Therefore, this year I entered a master's programme in engineering business.
Olga Zmitrochenko, graduate of FMME, specialising in management of design projects at an industrial enterprise
After graduating from university in 2024, Olga was distributed to the marketing and corporate culture department of the state association ‘Capital Trade and Services’. The girl believes that starting something new is always quite scary, because you don't know what to expect, how to behave and what to do.
- I got acquainted with my current job in the middle of my fourth year, I learnt about it by chance. At that time, the first idea of my future duties caused some excitement, I felt a lot of responsibility and uncertainty.
At a completely new stage of life, in a new environment, Olga was surprised by the large number of opportunities that allow her to realise her ideas and apply the skills she has already acquired.
- The field of marketing covers quite a lot of issues that require certain skills, hence the level of complexity and number of tasks. Tasks have varied: from designing a poster or playbill, placing advertisements to the complete organisation and coordination of large events and projects. Of course, not all issues are solved easily, but you should not be afraid of it, it's life, everything happens.
At the time of starting work, the girl was still a student, and there were some worries that colleagues and leadership would treat her like a child. However, everything happened just the opposite.
- Despite the significant age difference, I was treated as an equal in the team from the very beginning. I was lucky with the leadership, who gradually brought me up to speed and trained me. They told me how to act, guided me, and, in general, did not leave me to my own devices. To this day, we have a very comfortable atmosphere in the team. Team building events, joint events, and working moments help us to get to know each other, which has a direct impact on our teamwork.
- What skills and knowledge gained at university have come in handy on the job?
- First of all, it is communication skills, without which there is no place. Active participation in the university's social activities, organising various events, working in groups at classes, speaking in front of an audience - all this helped to form a strong ability to find a common language with others. Also in such a sphere as marketing one cannot do without creative and imaginative approach and necessary knowledge of this sphere. For this, thank you to our teachers, who always presented the material in a very interesting way.
Olga considers organising large projects to be the most interesting task, because it is in them that you can prove yourself, improve your skills and gain experience.
- Such projects always remind me of my student years, when we used to sit down as a team and realise even sometimes our bizarre ideas. It's the same here: you go from idea to realization, picking up everything brick by brick, building something that will bring benefits and positive emotions.
- What common myths about distribution could you dispel?
- It's not as scary as it sounds. In the course of your work, you will understand exactly what direction to take next, and whatever the outcome, the distribution will bring a lot of experience and skills.
Distribution is not only an opportunity to put your knowledge into practice, but also an important stage in shaping future plans, career and educational paths.
Distribution advices
In the end, let us give some tips to the senior students to make the placement go smoothly:
These wishes can be applied not only to distribution work, but to life in general.
We thank the graduates for their feedback.
