Maria Lapa, IEM Graduate of 2018: "The Institute Gave Me a Systematic Approach to Management"
— Enrolling in IEM TSU's "State and Municipal Administration" program became for me not just another step in my educational journey, but a logical continuation of an already established career path in the public sector. This is wh ere my professional interests and ambitions lie.
My choice of university was not accidental but a carefully considered decision based on several key factors: the university's reputation as one of the leading educational centers, a strong faculty — my program was taught by specialists with practical experience working in government bodies. Additional advantages in favor of TSU were the conditions for students: a comfortable academic building, access to extensive library collections, digital resources, and specialized software.
— What are your brightest memories of your student years?
— At IEM TSU, I was earning my second higher education degree. At that time, I was a municipal employee and had to combine work with study. But the memories of that student period are associated exclusively with positive emotions. It was an energetic, fun, and interesting time.
I remember debates, jokes during breaks, late-night phone calls and chats discussing homework, and engaging conversations with professors. To this day, I maintain close relationships with some of my fellow students. All these events have definitely left a mark on my life.
— Tell us about your career path since graduation. What were your first successes and challenges?
— At the time of graduation, I already held a leadership position in the city administration, and the systematized knowledge I gained helped me contribute to improving the efficiency of the state apparatus.
The main challenge at work for me was building effective communication — with colleagues and supervisors, as well as representatives of other departments and the public. Mastering the art of persuasion, the ability to listen and understand different points of view, and finding common ground even in the most difficult situations are not skills you can get fr om textbooks. They are acquired through experience, constant practice, and a willingness to learn fr om your own mistakes.
— What knowledge and skills acquired at IEM help you in your work today?
— IEM gave me a systematic approach to management. Lectures on strategic planning, personnel management, and project management taught me how to structure tasks, delegate authority, motivate teams, and effectively organize workflows. Particularly important was the idea that the success of any initiative depends on an integrated approach, wh ere each element must be thought through and harmoniously fit into the overall picture.
— What main advice would you give to current IEM students?
— My main advice would be: don't be afraid to go beyond the curriculum. This may sound paradoxical, because it is here that you lay the foundation for your future. However, the world is changing at a dizzying speed, and what seems relevant today may become outdated tomorrow.
Take advantage of all opportunities: attend additional courses, participate in scientific conferences, join student organizations. Seek out those teachers whose knowledge and experience inspire you, and feel free to approach them for advice. Do not lim it yourself to the classroom — do internships, communicate with representatives of business and government agencies, ask questions, and seek out practical cases.
IEM provides a powerful theoretical toolkit, but true mastery comes with experience applying this knowledge in real-world conditions.
Interview by: Vlada Ivannikova, TSU Faculty of Journalism
- All interviews with graduates of the Institute of Economics and Management in the anniversary project marking IEM's 10th anniversary are available here.