My academic journey at ZSEM has been shaped by numerous challenges and opportunities that have influenced both my academic and professional development. I would particularly highlight my experiences with internships and participation in the HANFA competition, which provided me with invaluable experiences and recognition.
I have completed internships at several companies, ranging from Bornfight, the largest venture builder in Croatia that develops startups, to PwC, one of the Big 4 firms specializing in M&A, tax, and audit consulting, and finally, the PE fund Invera Equity Partners. Each of these internships gave me a unique and valuable insight into the industries these companies operate in.
During each internship, I had the opportunity to work on various tasks, mostly related to ongoing company projects, analysis of future projects, or evaluation of new investment opportunities. Through these tasks, I gained a deeper understanding of each company’s operations and became familiar with different business practices and strategies. Every internship helped me develop analytical and practical skills while also enhancing my understanding of how business decisions are made.
Beyond acquiring new knowledge and skills, internships provided me with a clearer perspective on what I want to pursue in the future. These experiences, and surely more to come, have brought me closer to deciding where I want to start my career and what my first steps will be. Additionally, these internships introduced me to incredibly intelligent and inspiring people—connections I am sure to maintain throughout my life. I believe this networking aspect is one of the most valuable parts of student internships.
HANFA’s competition for student scientific and research papers is currently one of the most prestigious, if not the most prestigious, awards for academic papers in Croatia. While the award itself is motivation enough for some, I was particularly inspired by the topic of revitalizing Croatia’s capital market. I believe the market faces numerous challenges and has great potential for improvement, so I found researching this subject and drawing key conclusions to be extremely interesting.
Moreover, I would recommend that every student attempt to write at least one academic paper during their studies. The process is both fascinating and demanding—it taught me how to write a research paper, gather data, and analyze it effectively.
Regarding the award and ceremony itself, we learned that we had reached the finals in early October, at which point we were given the opportunity to refine our paper based on the feedback from HANFA’s jury. We received official confirmation of our award a few weeks before the ceremony, for which we then prepared a presentation on our research. Being part of this process and having the chance to present our work to industry experts was an incredibly motivating experience.
To students considering internships and extracurricular activities, I would say they are among the best opportunities that university offers. Completing the mandatory academic curriculum is something everyone will do, but it is the additional engagements and internships that provide depth and breadth to the knowledge one acquires.
In my opinion, extracurricular engagements are extremely important because they allow students to explore interests beyond the standard curriculum. These can include participation in student organizations, attending guest lectures by industry professionals, visiting companies, writing research papers, and more.
When it comes to internships, I believe they are a crucial part of the student experience as they enable students to explore different industries and sectors while also gaining a realistic understanding of what it is like to work in a company, take on responsibilities, and adhere to professional work ethics and schedules.
I already have several clear goals for my continued education, internships, and extracurricular engagements.
Regarding new internships, I prefer to keep my plans a secret for now. However, in terms of academic ambitions, I am already planning another student exchange. While I am still in Zagreb, my focus remains on maintaining high academic achievements and ensuring quality activities within the Finance Club, where I currently serve as president. Additionally, one of my goals is to publish a research paper in a relevant journal.
As for my long-term plans, I have been aspiring for some time to pursue a master’s degree abroad and to find my first serious job opportunity in the United States or the United Kingdom—ideally in banking. But who knows what the future holds? The key is to be prepared for opportunities and to make the most of them.
Roko Režić, a ZSEM student and co-founder of Trader, is building an app changing how traders learn.
Benjamin Koljanin on combining an MBA with a career abroad and expanding his professional perspective.
Enrino Škiljan is a ZSEM student who develops his entrepreneurial ambitions through AI projects.