Enisa Lišnjić – student, Department of Product Engineering Design

I have always been creative and I expressed that creativity in different ways, and usually it was by drawing or making something with my hands. However, even though I was aware of my creative side, it took me a long time to decide which faculty to enroll in. After much thought, I decided to enroll in a faculty that gives me the opportunity to combine my logical side with the creative one. That's how I decided on mechanical engineering, even though I didn't know much about that branch before enrolling. Over time, I became more and more familiar with mechanical engineering and developed a love for what I was learning.

I started volunteering in high school, and after going to college I discovered an organization that would later change my life. I joined the BH Futures Foundation in 2020, and in the three years I spent there, I developed many different skills and met a large number of incredible people from whom I learn every day. Thanks to the Foundation, I visited several cities in several different countries. I attended various seminars, fairs and conferences, I visited companies such as Bosch, and I had mentors with whom I worked to develop my skills and who helped me in my professional direction. I got the opportunity to exchange knowledge with peers, but also to learn directly from people who work in some of the world's largest companies and who are successful in different fields. In addition, I had to learn how to allocate time properly in order to devote myself to the university, but also to volunteering within the Foundation. This experience helped me familiarize myself with the industry today and the direction in which the industry is moving.

I have always been fascinated by cars. Somehow, from the beginning of my studies, I imagined working in the automotive industry. That wish of mine began to be fulfilled unexpectedly early. At the very beginning of my fourth year, long before graduation, the Future Foundation in BiH gave me the opportunity to send my resume to one of the most famous companies in the automotive industry, Volvo. Not long after that I found out that I was accepted and that I will be doing an internship in Sweden, which I am incredibly excited about. I could not have dreamed that my first work experience would be in another country, in the automotive industry and in a successful company.

Student life can sometimes be very difficult and we as students often find success in passing the exam and are satisfied with the knowledge we get at the university. Although it is indeed a great success, what awaits us in life is not much like college and the stresses we face there. My experience would probably have been very different if I hadn't gone outside of college. And although the university gave me a very good foundation, I wanted to be ready for the real world. And if we really want to be ready for the real world, we need to reach out for additional knowledge and experience. We have to want more and try to find time for things that teach us how to solve problems, how to deal with stress and how to be leaders. Only then will we see how successful we can feel.