Jobshop: "I have an idea of ​​the profession I want, but I'm not closing the door to surprises."

The Jobshop Ciências 2026 opened its doors this Tuesday with the aim of attracting talent and awakening vocations within the community of the Faculty of Sciences of the University of Lisbon (Ciências ULisboa). The event, which brings together more than 70 organizations with work proposals in the business and scientific sectors between Tuesday and Wednesday, also offers an attractive glimpse into the future: "I already have an idea of ​​the profession I want to pursue, but I'm not closing the door to pleasant surprises that I might discover here.", says Inês Neves, Master's student in Medical Physics. André Unas, a Physics Engineering student, also didn't consider the time wasted: "I enjoyed coming here because we are presented with very diverse options that help in choosing an internship."

Inês and André are just two of the multiple visitors expected at this fair organised by Ciências ULisboa and the Students Association of Ciências ULisboa (AEFCL), which aims to give a professional "boost" to those who are about to graduate. "The main attractions of this Jobshop are our students; it is the quality of these students that serves as the fundamental attraction.", highlights Jorge Marques da Silva, Vice-Dean of Ciências ULisboa, responsible for the Teaching and Educational Innovation Area.

Already a tradition within the Ciências ULisboa community, Jobshop continues to incorporate the latest recruitment trends. In addition to allowing students to present their academic resumes, the event also features debates and training sessions, as well as more relaxed moments in the late afternoon that facilitate contact with professionals from different companies and scientific entities. The event will be attended by companies from the banking, industrial, logistics, consulting, and pharmaceutical sectors, as well as regulatory bodies, and several research centres from Ciências ULisboa.

“It's an open door to employability, without a doubt. We have companies here that present very concrete job opportunities, seeking to do direct recruitment (within the ULisboa Sciences community),"and there are also others that choose to be more comprehensive and showcase various possible career paths," describes Conceição Freitas, Faculty Dean of Ciências ULisboa, during a visit on the opening day of the JobShop.

For AEFCL, the event organization has the added value of facilitating contact with the so-called real world. José Fonseca, coordinator of the Department of Citizenship Entrepreneurship and Sustainability of AEFCL, he highlights the importance of multitasking and networking with companies as key lessons learned during the event. "We always try to invite companies from various sectors that encompass the courses and scientific areas of our Faculty", says the AEFCL leader.

In addition to careers in companies, JobShop visitors will also be able to discover scientific career opportunities. Ana Atouguia, technical at Employability Office / Student Mobility and Support Area of Ciências ULisboa, remembers that there are companies that use alumni as representatives to facilitate contact with graduating and final-year students of Ciências ULisboa. “This is the largest employability event at Ciências ULisboa and is also an opportunity to strengthen institutional relationships with companies and other entities. "It's an initiative where society engages with Ciências ULisboa, and Ciências ULisboa also reaches out to society," replies the employability specialist.

Those who are already familiar with the campus confirm the existence of a virtuous cycle that leads companies that already have professionals trained at Ciências ULisboa to seek... more professionals trained at Ciências ULisboa. "As a former student, I can say that it's always interesting to be able to show that these students can also follow a professional path like I did.", says Alexandre Santos, former student of Informatics at Ciências ULisboa, who today assumes the position of Talent and Processes Manager within the Information Systems Directorate of CTT.

As with other companies and organizations, the stall that CTT set up at JobShop was used to promote internship opportunities, training programs, and, importantly, to recruit ambassadors who represent the company within the Ciências ULisboa community. Alongside the company presentation, the presence at JobShop "is a practical way to gather new ideas and fresh blood," adds Alexandre Santos.

At another company stall, there are also those who cherish memories of past editions. “Jobshop allows you to connect with the real world and also allows students to realize that what they learn in class is useful in the job market,” replies Patrícia Calado, former Master's student in Chemistry who currently works at Suanfarma CDMO. "My visit to Jobshop is to showcase the company, but it's also a way of giving back to the new students by presenting career opportunities." Talent will do the rest.