The job market is constantly changing, and everyone wants to know one thing – what are current recruiters looking for, especially from graduating students. What skills would fill the gaps in today’s companies, and what should students prioritize?
The answers to these questions became apparent at this year’s Job & Internship Fair at AUBG. Recruiters from all sorts of companies, from business and tech to media and publishing, gathered to search for the best emerging talent to bring a fresh perspective to their companies’ culture and growth.
“When students come to AUBG for an education, among other things, they come because we have a unique educational model,” said Provost and Interim President J.D. Mininger. “We train students very broadly, but also deeply such that they graduate not only with a specialization, but with skills that serve them for a lifetime.”
J.D. Mininger then added that unlike in the past when people would work at a company their whole life; today, we train people not just for one, but for a third, a fifth, and even a 10th job. But what is key and will kickstart their track to success is their first job.
AUBG alumni at the Job Fair: a full circle
Recruiters come to the AUBG Job & Internship Fair with a set mindset about the skills they’re looking for in employees. Many of them have a firsthand experience with the talent AUBG cultivates, being graduates themselves.
“We have many alumni at the various booths, which is incredibly amazing,” said J.D. Mininger. “Many of them have found their first job or internship at this event.”
Such is the story of two AUBG alumni who are now both working at ITCE, a leading business management consulting company. Lyuboslav Gigov (‘25), discovered ITCE on AUBG’s website prior to the Fair, sent along his CV, and was invited for an interview during the event. Eight months later, he is an Associate Technical Consultant and has returned to recruit the next generation.
Alumna Gergana Gecheva (‘22), Marketing Lead at ICTE, had a slightly different journey. After her first graduate job at a different company, she was actively looking for a position when she discovered the community of fellow AUBG alumni at ITCE. “I think that a third of the employees here are AUBG alumni, so I contacted them and they hired me as a marketing specialist.” There, she found a community similar to that at AUBG: “We had this shared understanding of what we’ve been through.”
Gergana also highlighted that while studying at AUBG, she often questioned her double major in Business Administration and Information Systems. However, after starting her position at ITCE, she realized that it gave her an incredible competitive edge tuat allowed her to bridge the technical and business worlds, which is what ITCE were looking for.
Another alumni example who discovered his first and current job as Business Intelligence Specialist at Indeavr through the Job Fair is Lyubomir Yanchev (’25).
“Now that I’m working after graduation, I realize that the foundation that I laid at AUBG is now about to be expanded and put into practice,” he shared. And I’d say it’s very exciting to be on the other end where you are helping other people make the choice for their first step in their career.”
What employers are really looking for
“The Job & Internship Fair is designed to give students direct access to employers and help them better understand what today’s job market really values,” said Rumyana Hristova, AUBG Career Center Senior Coordinator.
“Beyond specific roles, companies are increasingly looking for adaptable, curious, and proactive individuals. These are qualities that AUBG nurtures in students throughout their academic journey. Our goal is to create a space where students can showcase these qualities and form professional connections naturally,” she added.
The recruiters from Thermo Fisher Scientific described AUBG students as independent, driven, and self-motivated. Even companies attending for the first time, such as Britannica, came with high expectations, drawn by AUBG’s reputation for producing well-prepared graduates. “We’re really hoping to find excited, motivated students,” said Elena Nankova, HR specialist.
Well, for sure as a media communication skills is key. Multitasking because working in media is a very fast-paced environment so you really need to be able to shift from one task to another. Flexibility and just being open to working on new projects because this is things that will come.
Konstantina Bandutova, Corporate Sustainability and B2B Communications Manager at BTV Media Group, emphasized adaptability and communication skills as essential in a fast-paced media environment. “While I was studying at AUBG, I learned the art of multitasking because we did a lot of extracurriculars activities while still studying for exams,” she commented. “I’m very grateful for that skill.”
What skills actually matter?
So, what are recruiters really looking for today? It’s definitely not a perfect CV full of technical skills, nor a single “right” major. What stood out across conversations at the Fair was this: people who are adaptable, curious, and ready to grow.
Students are not just preparing for a job, but for many versions of their future. At AUBG, they already come prepared for new and agile environments simply because of how they navigate university life.
