Translation. Region: Russian Federation –
Source: Peter the Great St. Petersburg Polytechnic University –
An important disclaimer is at the bottom of this article.
The Institute of Industrial Management, Economics, and Trade at SPbPU welcomed participants of the career guidance project "Smolny School." It is implemented by the Committee for Civil Service and Personnel Policy of the St. Petersburg Governor's Administration. Peter the Great St. Petersburg Polytechnic University traditionally serves as one of the project's key partner universities, providing participants with the opportunity to experience the modern educational environment and university infrastructure.
The Smolny School is being held for the second year in a row. It aims to foster a conscious approach among schoolchildren when choosing their future profession, as well as to promote the civil service as a promising area of professional development. Among the project's priority goals are increasing young people's interest in public administration, developing pre-professional competencies, fostering a positive attitude toward government, and attracting motivated graduates to St. Petersburg's talent pool.
Participants were welcomed by Vladimir Shchepinin, Director of the Institute of Mechanics, Economics, and Telecommunications (IPMET), who emphasized the project's importance for young people's professional self-determination and the university's role as a space for development, education, and informed career choices.
"You're great. Firstly, because you took the plunge and came to the Polytechnic University—not every schoolchild has the opportunity to participate in such an interesting and meaningful project. The Smolny School allows you to see the university from the inside, become familiar with the modern educational environment, and understand the professional paths open to young people today. I hope this visit will help you make an informed choice and become an important step toward your future profession," said Vladimir Shchepinin, Director of the Institute of Mechanics, Economics, and Technology.
Dmitry Zemskov, specialist in the Personnel Pool Assessment and Development Department of the Committee for Civil Service and Personnel Policy of the St. Petersburg Governor's Administration and organizer of the "Smolny School" project, also addressed the project participants with a welcoming address: "Today you are within the walls of the Polytechnic University—the title partner of the St. Petersburg administration, with whom we have collaborated on numerous significant projects. We sincerely thank the Polytechnic University for their fruitful collaboration and are confident of implementing new large-scale joint projects, perhaps even with you as students. By participating in the "Smolny School" project, you are already, albeit informally, becoming part of a large team of future managers ready to work for the benefit of our city."
A comprehensive program was prepared for the participants. They were given a tour of the IPMEiT building and introduced to modern lecture halls, conference rooms, and computer labs, where a practice-oriented approach to learning is implemented. The students visited the Digital Content Management Training Lab, the Qualimetry and Modeling in Quality Management Training Lab, and the Commodity Science and Consumer Goods Expertise Training Lab. Of particular interest to the guests was the Logistics Systems and Digital Solutions in Management Modeling Lab, where training is based on a business simulation.
The participants also visited the Gazprom Neft Scientific and Educational Center, created in partnership with the industry leader. The center combines educational, scientific, and project-based activities and allows students to work on applied problems in the oil and gas industry.
The program continued with an interactive workshop, "LEGO Challenge: Mind Game," led by Elena Lobova, senior lecturer at the KET, and Anton Zubarev, a student majoring in Public and Municipal Administration and alumnus of the Smolny School project. Through the game, participants developed their economic thinking, teamwork, and decision-making skills.
The event concluded with a master class from the SPbPU Business Club student association, aimed at developing entrepreneurial thinking. Participants were invited to creatively present unusual inventions, explain their merits, and answer questions from the audience.
The "Smolny School" project is an opportunity for schoolchildren and students not only to get to know the university but also to immerse themselves in its real educational and professional environment. We strive to present the Institute as it really is: vibrant, modern, focused on practice and personal development. Through tours, labs, and interactive formats, participants can better understand the skills and competencies in demand today and how the university helps develop them. It's important for us that after these meetings, students are motivated to make an informed career choice and are interested in pursuing further education at the Polytechnic University, noted Maxim Ivanov, IPMEIT Deputy Director for Promising Projects and Youth Policy.
The visits to the Institute of Industrial Management, Economics, and Trade (IIMET) as part of the Smolny School project once again confirmed the Polytechnic University's status as a key platform for career guidance with motivated young people. Throughout 2026, the Institute of Industrial Management, Economics, and Trade (IIMET) will continue its active participation in the project, offering participants new events and educational formats, and expanding opportunities for exploring the modern university environment and professional pathways.
It's worth noting that Peter the Great St. Petersburg Polytechnic University's published Admission Rules for 2026 once again include participation in the "Smolny School" career guidance project as one of the individual achievements for which applicants receive additional points during admission. This underscores the project's significance and its practical value for those considering the Polytechnic University as their place of further study.
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