Taking the first step into the job market can be challenging for students. Theoretical knowledge provides a foundation, but only a real workplace can reveal what a chosen profession involves in practice. That is why Kurana, a bioethanol and biogas producer based in Pasvalys, invites students to undertake internships, explore modern production processes and plan their careers with greater confidence.
According to Neringa Čergelytė, Head of HR at Kurana, an internship at the company is more than a formality. “We make this clear to students from the interview stage: if someone is only looking for a signature to fulfil their internship requirements, we are unlikely to be the right fit. We invest considerable time, energy and attention in our interns, so we want the experience to be meaningful for both sides. What matters to us is that students come ready to learn, ask questions, observe and put their abilities to the test in a real working environment,” says Čergelytė.
‘Kurana’ HR manager Neringa Čergelytė
Welcoming Students from a Range of Disciplines
Kurana primarily offers internships to students in engineering, technology and the natural sciences. Students studying chemistry, electrical engineering, automation, mechanical engineering, energy engineering, IT, agronomy and related subjects are welcome to apply.
“It is important for us to understand in advance what assignment the student needs to complete during their internship and what outcomes their educational institution expects. We can then assess whether we have the right area of work, specialists and resources to offer a meaningful experience. We usually arrange an interview with a representative from the relevant field, who explains what the student could observe and which activities they could take part in,” says Čergelytė.
She explains that interns can explore a variety of processes, from laboratory testing and grain quality assessment to technical, energy-related and administrative tasks. In some areas, safety requirements mean students spend more time observing experienced specialists, but this is also an important part of learning.
Each intern is assigned a supervisor who helps them get to know the company, introduces them to other specialists, explains working procedures and coordinates the internship. Students begin with an introduction to the company’s operations, organisational structure and safety requirements.
An Internship That Led to a Permanent Role
Edvinas Buivydas’s experience shows how an internship at Kurana can become the first step in a career. While studying at Kaunas University of Technology, he joined the company as an intern and was subsequently offered a position on the team.
Edvinas says he was drawn to Kurana because of its clear connection to his studies. “At university, we studied chemical engineering, explored ethanol production processes and developed process flow diagrams. At Kurana, all of this happens in practice. Chemistry, biology and engineering come together here, so the company felt like a natural fit for my field of study,” he explains.
During his internship, he never felt that he was simply being given basic or miscellaneous tasks. Instead, colleagues explained processes, introduced him to different activities and gave him an insight into day-to-day work in both the laboratory and production.
Today, Edvinas is Chief Chemist, organising the laboratory’s work and ensuring that product quality meets the required standards. He encourages students considering an internship at Kurana to take that first step. Although Pasvalys may seem far from the major cities, his experience shows that students can find a welcoming team, interesting work and real opportunities to grow.
“I think the main thing that might put people off is the distance between Pasvalys and the larger cities. I was a little apprehensive about that too, but I gave it a try, enjoyed it and was warmly welcomed — so I stayed. If you are truly interested in the field, it is worth trying,” says Buivydas.
Making the First Connection at Careers Fairs
Kurana seeks to build relationships with young people before their internships begin. Company representatives attend careers events, speak with students and introduce the internship opportunities available.
Meida Smailytė, an agronomy student at the Agriculture Academy of Vytautas Magnus University, first discovered Kurana at a careers fair. She joined the laboratory team this summer and will also be able to explore potential internship opportunities.
Meida says her choice to study agronomy was a deliberate one. “I grew up in the countryside, so I have felt connected to nature since childhood. I am interested in plants, their structure, how they are grown and the benefits they provide. I wanted to deepen my knowledge and choose a subject that truly interests me,” she says.
Kurana appealed to her because its work brings together several of her interests. “What interests me is how the company combines agriculture, science and modern technology. Agricultural raw materials are used here to produce bioethanol — a renewable fuel that helps reduce fossil fuel use. This is closely connected to my studies and to what matters to me personally,” she explains.
She was particularly impressed not only by the workplace itself but also by the way people interacted. “I really appreciated the open, friendly communication and welcoming atmosphere. They took the time to show me the working environment before I started. I also noticed how clean and well organised everything was. It will be a pleasure to work in an environment like this,” she says.
Working with Educational Institutions
Kurana builds relationships with future professionals through more than internships. The company collaborates with educational institutions, attends careers events, organises “Researchers’ Days” and supports initiatives that help young people explore engineering, technology and the natural sciences.
Its partners include the Agriculture Academy of Vytautas Magnus University, Panevėžys University of Applied Sciences, Vilnius University of Applied Sciences, Kaunas University of Applied Sciences and the Faculty of Chemical Technology at Kaunas University of Technology (KTU). The company also maintains links with secondary schools in the Pasvalys district.
One example is its partnership with KTU’s Faculty of Chemical Technology, through which Kurana supported an initiative to provide first-year students with laboratory coats. Another important initiative is the “Sumanaus moksleivio” (“Smart Pupil”) project, which has been running for five years and is already showing its first results. It introduces school pupils to engineering and technology at an earlier age, while allowing the company to support career guidance for young people in the region.
According to Čergelytė, cooperation with educational institutions benefits both the company and the education community. “It is important for higher education institutions to see that businesses welcome their students, value their knowledge and want to contribute to their practical training. We want to do more than celebrate our partnerships: we want to show that students have real opportunities in industry, right here in the region,” she says.
“We want students to see an internship as more than a formal requirement of their studies. It is a chance to test their abilities, better understand their chosen profession and discover that exciting career opportunities exist beyond the major cities. For us, internships are also an opportunity to get to know students, help them develop and, in some cases, nurture future colleagues,” emphasises Jolanta Kukurienė, Executive Director of Kurana.
Students interested in an internship at Kurana are invited to contact the company. Usually, submitting a CV and details of the internship assignment is enough for the company to assess whether it can meet the objectives of the study programme. An interview is then arranged with a representative from the relevant field, who explains the opportunities available within the department or area of work.
For internship enquiries, students can email neringa@kurana.lt or info@kurana.lt.
