The 2nd Annual Talent Week Encourages Professional Development for IQS Students

IQS recently held the 2nd Annual Talent Week, a week in which undergraduate and dual degree students in their final year participated in training and workshops with leading companies from different sectors to enhance their professional skills. The event culminated with the celebration of the 19th Employment Forum.

Organized by the IQS Career Services office, all activities were designed to inspire and prepare students for success in the workforce: “We believe that this event will not only complement their educational efforts in the classroom, but will also offer unique tools for students to interact with professionals and acquire a deeper insight into current trends,” department representatives stated.

The opening ceremony featured the presentation “What makes me unique? How to communicate my value,” by the communicator and educator Borja Nicolau, along with Esther Comín, motivational speaker, educator, and personal development expert.

Leading IQS faculty members presented the sessions “Exploring professional skills,” “Enneagram, as a knowledge tool,” “Cultivating my values,” and  “Discernment” and “Entrepreneurship.”

In addition, the event featured different workshops prepared by professionals from leading companies: “Effective presentations and elevator pitch” (Jotun, Ink, Michael Page, and Winche), “CV techniques” (EY, Michael Page, and GasN2), “Case interviews and competency interview” (Fragrance Science, Akzonobel, Agap2, Danone, and PWC), and LinkedIn (Lourdes Torices, consultant and educator with this professional network, and Hotusa).

The 2nd Annual Talent Week ended with the roundtable “Seminar about professions,” led by the companies Werfen, GSK, Technip, Hotel Manadrin Oriental, and Volkswagen.

19th Employment Forum

The 19th IQS Employment Forum was attended by 4th year undergraduate and master’s degree students who were able to connect with the 49 participating companies, belonging to a wide variety of sectors and industries. Out of these companies, 22 are also members of the IQS Business Foundation: Abello Linde, Banc Sabadell, Basell Poliolefinas Iberica, BASF Española, Carburos Metálicos, Catalonia Hotels & Resorts, CELSA Group, Croda, Damm, Dallant, Eurofragance, Grifols, Grupo AC Marca, Jori Armengol y Asociados, J.Juan, Lluch Essence, LyondellBasell, PWC, Quality Chemicals, Sandoz Industrial Products, Technip Energies, and Werfen.

Held on the last day of Talent Week at the IQS Retreat Centre, the professional meeting aimed to enhance student employability following the work done throughout the week through practical training focused on the matter.

Luis Víctori, a fourth-year student in the Bachelor’s Degree in Chemical Engineering, valued the training sessions very positively, specifically highlighting LinkedIn and Entrepreneurship and being able to get to know the companies: “many of the companies that we only know about through the IQS website come to the forum, and it’s a golden opportunity to really get to know them and for them to get to know us.  Connecting face to face greatly facilitates comprehension and understanding.”

Paula Niella, a fourth-year student in the Bachelor’s Degree in Biotechnology, also highlighted the opportunity that such an event represents: “in my case, I was able to connect with companies in the pharmaceutical sector, which I have begun to be interested in over the past year, and I think it’s a great opportunity to introduce ourselves to the job market.”

Alba Aranda, Head of Selection at Hilton Diagonal Mar, stated that willingness and attitude are valued more nowadays, even more than experience, and above all people who want to join a company to share values. Regarding the 19th Employment Forum, she added: “It’s a win-win. It gives us the opportunity to meet students who want to do internships or who are looking for work and to also know what they want. It’s really important for us.”

Talent Week is a key part of the Professional Development Plan (PDP) created by IQS Career Services to strengthen the unique professional skills of IQS students. This programme begins in the second year of all bachelor’s degrees and extends to graduate programmes to ensure continuous and progressive learning.