Career Guidance Meeting with Political Scientists

As part of the pedagogical internship of the 2nd-year master's students majoring in "Political Science", Aidana Bolatbayeva and Dilyaram Khamitova, an educational event in the format of a career guidance meeting was held for 3rd-year undergraduate students majoring in "Political Science" (curator – Candidate of Political Sciences, Professor E.L. Nechayeva).

The main purpose of the meeting was to familiarize students with the real professional opportunities of a political scientist, various directions of career development, and the practical experience of the master's students. The meeting was aimed at helping students form a more conscious understanding of their future profession, potential workplaces, and essential professional skills.

During the meeting, Dilyaram Khamitova presented her professional experience and spoke about her activities at the Center for Urbanistics. The students learned about work in the field of urban policy and urban environment development, as well as the interaction among specialists from different fields. It was shown that the knowledge and competencies of a political scientist can be applied not only in the traditional areas of civil service and analytics but also in interdisciplinary projects related to urban development, interaction with government agencies, experts, and public organizations.

Aidana Bolatbayeva shared her own professional experience and talked about the internships and training programs completed during her studies. She paid special attention to her experience undergoing an industrial internship at the Ministry of Education of the Republic of Kazakhstan, as well as her internship and activities within the "Ak Zhol", "Auyl", and "Amanat" political parties. The students were informed about the tasks performed during such internships, the professional skills that can be acquired, and how participation in such projects helps build practical experience while still studying.

Within the career guidance segment, various directions for the professional development of a political scientist were also presented: civil service, analytics, Government Relations (GR) and the corporate sector, media and PR, NGOs, and the civil sector. Special emphasis was placed on the fact that a political scientist's career trajectory can be shaped gradually, even during the study period. Internships, training programs, participation in projects, volunteering, and acquiring additional skills allow students to better understand their own professional interests and build competitive experience. Students were encouraged to reflect on their own professional goals, necessary skills, and the concrete steps they can take today.

The event generated lively interest among the audience and contributed to the development of professional motivation, a conscious choice of career direction, and an understanding of the practical value of higher education in "Political Science".