Published on: 2026-05-07
Source: Saint Petersburg Polytechnic University of Peter the Great –
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At the Saint Petersburg Polytechnic University of Peter the Great, the “Zenit Day” took place. The event brought together students, teachers, and university alumni who currently work at FC “Zenit.” The meeting was held in the Polytechnic Tower and became a platform for open dialogue about careers, professional development, and employment opportunities in the sports industry. The organizers were the Institute of Industrial Management, Economics and Trade of SPbPU and the Center for Fundraising and Alumni Relations.
Valery Sushchenko, Director of the Institute of Physical Culture, Sports and Tourism of SPbPU, addressed the participants with a welcoming speech. He emphasized the importance of the university’s interaction with professional sports organizations: cooperation between the university and the country’s leading sports clubs opens up real opportunities for professional growth for students. It is especially valuable that our graduates return to the university already as experts and employers, forming a living connection between education and industry.
The central part of the program consisted of career round tables. At the first discussion, graduates of Politechnika, who hold leadership positions at Zenit, spoke: Director of Security Yuri Fedotov, Director of the Organizational Support Department Fyodor Lunnov, Head of the Volunteer Center Tatyana Nasalova, and Sales Manager Elena Khedrot. Together with the Deputy Director of IPMEIT Maksim Ivanov, the participants discussed career trajectories, requirements for modern specialists, and features of working in the sports industry, and also answered students’ questions.
Memories of youth were sparked — excursions to the Hydrobase and around my department brought many pleasant emotions. I would like to express special thanks for the photocopy of my personal file. I have already told the students and I repeat: it is not worth fixating on one field of education, it is important to broaden horizons and learn languages — this knowledge will surely come in handy in life,” Fyodor Lunnov noted.
The sports industry today is a highly competitive professional environment where initiative, flexibility, and the ability to work in a team are valued. Politics provide a solid foundation, but success depends on those who are ready to constantly develop themselves and take responsibility for the results, emphasized Maksim Ivanov.
The second session was dedicated to the experience of Zenit employees, recent graduates, and students of the Polytechnic. Elena Bibikova, Aleksandr Zhavrid, Aleksandra Filaretova, Ilya Uskornikov, and Evgeniy Islakaev, responsible for working with youth and graduates of IPMEIT, along with Tamerlan Tuganov, talked about the first career steps, professional challenges, and gave practical recommendations to the students.
Graduates of the Polytechnic who did not participate in the round table were also present at the event, including the chief specialist Elena Televka, specialists Olga Volkova and Anastasia Salkutsan.
What I remember most is the meeting thanks to the sincere atmosphere — live communication with teachers, a tour of the Hydro Tower, and a touching gift in the form of a copy of a personal file. I wish students not to wait for the perfect moment, but to create it themselves: to go on internships and meet with employers. And it is important to remember that grades matter, but do not define everything — during the learning process it is especially important to learn how to communicate and work with people,” Anastasia Salkutsan shared.
Teachers, scientific supervisors, heads of structural units, and university staff who worked with the guests during the period of study were invited to the meeting. Graduates were presented with commemorative copies and personal files, as well as other gifts.
What I remember most is the atmosphere itself: a multitude of students, teachers, and the energy of the auditorium — it was very pleasant to see and feel a lively interest in dialogue. It is especially valuable to observe how many motivated young people are already thinking about their professional path at the start. I want to wish the students courage in choosing their direction, faith in themselves, and readiness to use various opportunities: today and indeed more than it seems.Do not be afraid to start small, participate in internships and projects, gain practical experience and nurture your curiosity — this is exactly what helps you grow and find your own path in the profession, noted Elena Khedrot.
A separate element of the program was the HR master class “Football Manager: The Championship Path,” conducted by the head of the club’s recruitment and adaptation department, and also the organizer of the event from FC “Zenit,” Kirill Mazurenko. He talked about the specifics of personnel recruitment in a sports organization and the key competencies of specialists: Working in a football club requires not only professional knowledge but also high stress tolerance, team thinking, and readiness for a dynamic environment. We are looking for people capable of making quick decisions and sharing the club’s values.
At the “Zenit Day” participants also received individual career consultations from the club’s HR specialists.
In addition, the guests were given a tour of the Hydrotower and the Museum of the History of Politekh. The event concluded with a friendly tea party, which helped strengthen professional ties between alumni, students, and teachers.
“Zenit Day at Polite” confirmed the importance of interaction between the university and graduates as well as industrial partners. Such events contribute to the development of the professional community and the strengthening of career opportunities for students.
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