Zuzana Kubešová is a student at the University of Economics and Masaryk University, where she combines the study of Business Economics and Management with Social Sciences and Geography focused on education. During her internship at the Institute of Computer Science of the Czech Academy of Sciences, she explored a variety of interesting areas, leading to important career realizations. Find out how she managed the work and where her career is heading in this interview.
What was the focus of your internship?
My internship was officially titled “Internship in the HR Department,” but I would say the scope was much broader in reality. Since the Institute of Computer Science is a smaller institution with a very friendly environment, I had the opportunity to explore almost all areas. Besides HR, I also got a glimpse of how the different sections within the Technical and Economic Department operate. I also collaborated with the Department of Statistical Modelling and the Department of Theoretical Computer Science, especially in the preparation of conferences.
What did your work involve?
Most of my time was spent preparing conferences, where I worked closely with the Local Organizing Committees. It was intense at times, but I really enjoyed it and gained a lot of experience. Overall, my work was very diverse—I helped with filling out travel orders, got involved in the initial draft of a GAP analysis, and even had the chance to see how the daily agenda operates within the Technical and Economic Department. This gave me a broader perspective and taught me a lot of new things.
Does your internship relate to what you are studying?
Yes, the internship relates to my field of Business Economics and Management. After graduation, I could see myself working in a similar role. However, I have to mention that the commercial sector differs significantly from the scientific, nonprofit sector (in school, we primarily learn about the commercial sphere).
Why did you choose this particular internship?
Initially, I wanted to secure a scientific internship, but unfortunately, that didn’t work out, so I kept looking. Eventually, I came across the Radius Center, and this internship best matched what I was studying.
What did you learn during the internship?
I learned a lot during the internship, not just from a professional standpoint. Surprisingly, I discovered what truly excites me and that the scientific sphere is a very pleasant “ecosystem.” I met many interesting people who became my friends. This experience not only broadened my horizons but also helped me understand what motivates me and what I would like to do in the future. I would also mention that I improved my English during the internship—when you speak English all week, read posters, and attend sessions in English, you naturally pick up some professional English as well.
Do you plan to pursue a career in HR in the future?
Although it might be expected that I would say HR is what captivated me, I realized that it’s not. During the internship, I understood that this is not the path I want to follow. Instead, I found what truly interests me and where I would like to apply myself.
This might sound disappointing, but in reality, it was very liberating. I wanted to mention this because I believe that if someone else is going through similar doubts, I would like them to know that it’s perfectly okay to discover that something isn’t quite the right fit. It’s part of the process of finding what truly fulfills us. Every step, even the one that leads us elsewhere, brings us closer to what genuinely interests us.