AmCham Macedonia Summer 2015 (Issue 46) | Page 16

ANALYSIS USJE Opens Doors to Ambitious Young People About 30 people take part in USJE’s internship program each year, from high schoolers to graduate students. In addition to acquiring skills and knowledge, they get experience the energy of teamwork in a socially responsible company. The company has always contributed to the professional development of young people; its internship program has been running for six decades and many former interns became employees. The goal is to provide practical education and professional development to students, particularly from professions such as mechanical and electrical technicians, chemists and technologists. The company does this by giving them access to the technology, tools and equipment involved in the cement production process. USJE’s leadership believes it is especially important that mechanical and electrical engineering students get the opportunity to experience in a real work environment under the guidance of experienced professionals. “The internship in USJE showed me what it means to be part of a team,” - Bojan Kitanovski, Mechanical Technician Kitanovski began working in USJE in 2005 as a young intern. Peer support and the transfer of knowledge and 16   Summer 2015 Issue 46 experience served as a foundation for his professional development. Today, he is an USJE employee and team member. “As a young unemployed person, I had a clear commitment to start working gain practical experience, something that was lacking from my traditional high school education. The internship at USJE in 2005 was a good opportunity for me to learn from senior colleagues and observe more complex machine operations and processes. My first work experience was on cranes, which require a lot of concentration and specific skills successfully perform tasks in a safe way. My colleagues generously helped me master them. Without their support and daily advice through workflows, I would not have been able to overcome all challenges. In a company like USJE, no matter how dedicated one is to their work, if the team around them isn’t working cohesively, results will suffer,” Kitanovski explains. “My internship gave me a new outlook on life,” - Vlatko Sazdov, Mechanical Technician Although Sazdov didn’t know a lot about USJE, he decided to apply for internship. Today, he is employed in USJE and credits his internship for opening new opportunities. “When I applied for the USJE internship in 2005, I didn’t have great expect ][ۜ