The “Career over Coffee” event organized by Eastern Mediterranean University (EMU) Faculty of Business and Economics was held at the garden area of the faculty with sponsorships of Oza Coffee, Vola, Koop Bank and Credit West. Bringing students together with the representatives of the sector, the 7th edition of the event offer a platform for sharing important insights on career planning.
EMU Rector Prof. Dr. Hasan Kılıç, EMU Vice Rectors Prof. Dr. Osman M. Karatepe and Prof. Dr. Ali Öztüren, EMU General Secretary Derviş Ekşici, Faculty of Business and Economics Dean Prof. Dr. Mustafa Besim, department heads, administrative directors, academic and administrative personnel and many students attended the event.
“More Than 30 Businesses Participated in the Event”
Delivering the opening address, Dean of the Faculty of Business and Economics, Prof. Dr. Mustafa Besim, remarked that the “Career over Coffee” event has steadily grown over the years and has become a well-established tradition within the faculty. He noted that the seventh edition of the event was further strengthened through the involvement of a large number of companies and sponsors. Prof. Dr. Besim expressed his satisfaction that companies are now proactively seeking information about the event and requesting participation without waiting for a formal invitation, describing this as a strong indicator of the event’s growing reputation and impact. He further stressed that education extends beyond the classroom and that direct interaction between students and industry representatives plays a vital role in their professional development. Referring to this year’s participation, Prof. Dr. Besim stated that more than 30 organizations from diverse fields—including banking, tourism, construction, real estate, human resources, and technology—were represented at the event. He added that the broad range of participating companies provided students with valuable networking opportunities while supporting their internship searches and future career planning efforts.
“The University’s Goal Is Not Merely to Graduate Students”
Speaking at the event, EMU Rector Prof. Dr. Hasan Kılıç stated that the University’s primary aim is not limited to producing graduates, but rather to nurture individuals who are well prepared for both professional and personal success. He described the “Career over Coffee” event as an important reflection of this approach, emphasizing the need for students to continuously invest in their development throughout their studies. Prof. Dr. Kılıç noted that universities have a responsibility to provide students not only with academic knowledge but also with the practical skills and experiences required for life after graduation. He added that initiatives bringing students together with industry representatives play a crucial role in this process and highlighted the importance of promoting similar opportunities across all faculties and academic units.
The event featured company and institutional stands that enabled businesses from a broad range of sectors to establish direct contact with students. By sharing information on career prospects, internship opportunities, and firsthand experiences from the workplace, participating organizations helped students develop a deeper understanding of professional life and future career possibilities. As part of the program, certificates of appreciation were awarded to the participating companies by the Dean of the Faculty of Business and Economics, Prof. Dr. Mustafa Besim.
As part of the program, students attended seminars delivered by experienced professionals. The first seminar, titled “Lost, a Scapegoat, or the G.O.A.T.? Who Will You Become?”, was presented by Ayşe Niyazi Onar and Hidayet Serdar, who emphasized the importance of self-awareness in shaping one’s career path. This was followed by a seminar by Niyal Öztürk entitled “Your Future Employer Might Be… You.”, which offered valuable insights into entrepreneurship and personal development.
The event concluded with the presentation of certificates of participation to the seminar attendees. Receiving considerable interest from students, “Career over Coffee” provided participants with a valuable experience that contributed to both their social engagement and professional development.