After much deliberation, debate and discussion the Adzuna panel of experts have selected our Global Graduate of the Year finalists.
These representatives of the cream of the crop will now compete for the worldwide title, and the grand prize: £1000, a star internship, and a CV clinic with an expert entrepreneur.
Without further ado, here are the amazing competitors for Adzuna’s 2015 Graduate of the Year:
UK:
Name: Oliver Porter
Age: 22
University: Sheffield Hallam University
Category: Social
About Oli: Driven by his passion for sport, Oliver opted to study Sport Business Management, perhaps with a view to a career in sports marketing or a related field.
Beyond academic achievement, he prides himself on a full portfolio of altruistic activities, volunteering with UK Sport in Tanzania, at the Youdan Trophy, supporting the Rugby World Cup , acting as a Faculty of Health and Wellbeing Committee Member and Sport Departmental Board Student Representative at Sheffield Hallam University.
Proudest achievement: Having volunteered for a second tour of Tanzania earlier this year for UK Sport, Oli promptly took the opportunity to climb Mount Kilimanjaro, at short notice!. Having borrowed a wardrobe of appropriate clothing he rose to the challenge and, without any training, conquered the 5,895m mountain. Impressive!
Inspired by: Inspired by his close family and friends, Oli is glad to be surrounded by an amazing bunch of positive-thinking people, who are always therefore him when he needs them.
Poland:
Name: Monika Szołucha
Age: 25 years
University: University of Warsaw
Category: Scientist
About Monika: Passionate about many things, including dance, fitness, photography and Russia, Monika is driven by an overriding interest in nuclear energy, particularly nuclear regulatory issues and nuclear safety.
Monika completed a 5-year degree [BA+MA] in Chemical and Process Engineering at the Warsaw University of Technology, and Energy and Nuclear Chemistry degree at the University of Warsaw.
Her dissertation concerned the calculation of MARIA reactor neutron core and was prepared in collaboration with the National Research Center for Nuclear Studies. Monika has also completed postgraduate studies at the “Energy Academy” in the School of Economics, where her final work focused on the method of financing energy investments.
Even more impressive is that she simultaneously completed not one, but two programs of study (at the Warsaw University of Technology and the University of Warsaw) and worked in her field at the same time – during her studies Monika took a job at the Institute of Nuclear Chemistry and Technology in Warsaw.
She also has a long list of scientific publications to her name, and has taken part in a wide range of activities outside her academic achievements, such as being a member of the Scientific Association for Chemical and Process Engineering, organising “Science Picnics”, Open Days and holding membership in the Association of Ecologists for Nuclear Energy in Warsaw.
Dream job: Monika’s ambition is to ensure energy safety in Poland for the next century through safe, strategic implementation of nuclear power into the energy mix. Monika hopes to follow an MBA programme at a leading international university, before progressing to a managerial position in the nuclear industry and more specifically: in the field of nuclear power plant exploitation in Poland.
Name: Claudio Luciano Guimarães Florenzano
Age: 27
Category: Social
As well as successfully studying IT, Luciano created the Brazilian Community for Information Systems, with the objective of helping people to follow a career in tech, which he believes to be one of the most important career paths for the 21st century.
All the content in his community is free, making it available to everyone, from high school students to PHDs. With over 50 thousand users engaging in the community with over 850 thousand visitors to his site, the site’s success is impressive. In Luciano’s own words, “there is no bigger achievement than helping people to follow their goals and dreams”.
Luciano wants to forge a career in IT, focusing on internet and information security, having studied this field since 2008. His passion for the security area comes from his passion for solving mysteries, instructing and protecting people, and he hopes to follow a postgraduate program in this area.
Name: Bilal Ferchichi
Age: 20
University: ESC Dijon Bourgogne
French Muay-Thaï champion, Bilal prides himself on the values of respect for ones opponents, will to win and perseverance! Regarding his studies, he is currently studying for a Masters in Finance/Accounting. As well as simultaneously pursuing work and demanding educational pursuits, Bilal is a passionate traveler and prides himself on being very open-minded. Not content with moderate success, he is quadrilingual, and loves learning new languages and discovering new cultures. Keen to share his expertise and knowledge and expertise, he coaches others in Muay-Thai, when he isn’t volunteering in a youth centres or supporting young people in difficulty situations
Later, Bilal would like to work in finance and become CEO, perhaps within the world of microfinance.
Inspired by: His role model is Martin Luther King, because he represents the value of “living together in harmony”. King’s famous quotation “We must learn to live together as brothers or perish together as fools” perfectly captures Bilal’s life philosophy.
Name: Nikolay V. Vinogradov
University: Tomsk Polytechnic University
Category: Academic
Academically gifted from an early age, Nikolay graduated from school amongst the top 50 students, which entitled him to study for free in any university and any faculty of his choice. Instead of choosing a more traditional profession such as lawyer, banker or doctor, he elected to devote his life to mastering Chemistry.
Despite a great academic track record – cum laude BSc & MSc degrees – these are not the only achievements Nikolay has to be proud of. He is a co-author of two patents and has over 30 scientific publications under his name.His scientific achievements have not gone unnoticed, and have resulted in two additional scholarships and an invitation to study for a semester at Aalto University in Finland.
Being interested in economics, Nikolay entered a competition to join the most prestigious Economics Summer School (ESS) in Russia and succeeded, twice. He was the first non-economics student to attend the ESS.
Looking forward, he hopes to become a world-class professional in the Chemical industry and work for a well-known organisation, but only after he obtains a PhD from a reputable university.
Inspired by: Nikolay draws inspiration from his 90-year old granddad, who despite his age, is still working as a University Professor. “Both my mother and father hold a PhD in physics and chemistry respectively. So, probably my career choice may be in my DNA.”
Name: Rob Jansen
Age: 23
University: Wageningen University
Category: Academic
Rob signed up for the competition from his travels in Paraguay, which only highlights his biggest passion: exploring the world. He graduated with honours from both his Bachelors and Masters studies in Biology and also completed a minor at the Uppsala University in Sweden. His dissertation, for which he did research in the Himalayas, has been published in a book by the Cambridge University Press.
He did his internship with the Charles Darwin Research Centre on the Galapagos Islands. During his comprehensive travels he has encountered many spectacular sites and experienced amazing adventures such as going on a snow leopard track and a tiger safari. After his study Rob wants to work as a TV presenter, specialising in shows about nature, in the style of Steve Irwin.
Name: Carolin Pohlmann
Age: 23
University: EBC Hochschule Düsseldorf
Carolin studied Tourism & Event Management in Düsseldorf. She decided to study at the EBC Hochschule Düsseldorf because she had to complete an internship in Germany and abroad as well as an academic exchange. The internships and the semester abroad made university a memorable time for Carolin. She is proud to have completed her Bachelor of Arts degree.
Carolin loves to travel. She has traveled to many European countries, as well as visiting Canada, The US, Cuba and The Bahamas.
She did an internship in Palma de Mallorca and an academic exchange in San Diego. Carolin wants to start her Masters degree in Tourism & Hospitality Management in Miami next year before forging a career in the tourism sector,
Keen to hear which of these stunning candidates wins the title of Adzuna Graduate of the year 2015? Check back on Friday to meet the global winner!
