Matteo Barcellona, PhD student at the University of Catania (UNICT, Italy), talks about his experience in Industry-Driven Education workshops.
My future plans are to pursue a career in the industrial Research & Development. The use of science and knowledge for a direct application purpose has always fascinated me.
In fact, my doctoral project is based on the research of materials for the microelectronic industry since my scholarship is granted by STMicroelectronics, which is an Italian-French company famous for semiconductor electronic components production. STM is one of more than 200 companies on the Eunice International Internship Portal, so it is one of Eunice’s business partners.
My first experience with EUNICE was in a 3-days workshop aimed at Industrial PhD needs and opportunities at UNICT. In those days I reinforced my knowledge of how important is industrial research and what industries search for in a candidate. Also, it has been a moment to collaborate and socialize with professors and other PhD students from the alliance and it is always a good experience to undergo. The workshops were satisfying and well-informative about the Industrial PhDs and what other universities of the alliance offer as a possible line of research.
After the workshops, I told my experience to colleagues and friends and invited them to take a look at the EUNICE website and the proposed possibilities of PhD positions or internships.
EUNICE is a great link for students, professors, and other parts of the field of instruction and research. I would say also a bridge between university and industry since industrial PhD positions are posted in the dedicated portal, as well as on social networks. Good or not, nowadays is required to use social networks to promote every initiative and let the students know about it. This format has already been used by universities as well.
In my opinion, the goal of EUNICE is worthy and perfectly in line with the needs of the present. EUNICE offers a bridge between European universities and industries. It is definitely for a common good and a better future! At the moment I had not the possibility to do international mobility but it is under organization. I think that such experience is mandatory for a good carrier in the future. I was able to gain international experience thanks to EUNICE, in addition to participating in the Industrial PhD workshop, I enrolled in the French course because I believe that in one way or another it will be useful for my carrier.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
PhD student at UNICT
Hello everyone! I am Matteo Barcellona, I am 26 years old and I was born in Catania, in southern Italy. I graduated in Industrial Chemistry and Materials Chemistry and currently I am studying and doing research in my city of birth. I am approaching the third year in the doctoral Chemical Sciences course. It is a joy to continue the research study in the field of materials!
Don’t think that doctoral students only work! Mental wellness is of most fundamental matter to produce more and better. In fact, I dedicate 3 hours a week to fitness activities and some time to watch series on PC. The weekend? It is partly dedicated to recovering from the work week but also enjoying time with friends and girlfriend.
