Thinking long-term means engaging with young university students, introducing them to the photonics industry, and encouraging them to consider it when choosing their career paths. EPIC is committed to supporting the photonics community, including in the areas of talent acquisition and retention. That’s why in addition to the Jobs in Photonics website, we celebrate the online series Discover Your Career in Photonics and organize the Booth Guided Tour for Young Students at exhibitions.
This activity gives young PhD graduates seeking their first job the opportunity to meet and speak in person with representatives from companies actively looking for new talent.
We first tested this format at ECOC 2024 in Frankfurt, Germany. Since then, we’ve held guided tours at the Precision Fair in Den Bosch, Netherlands, and at W3+ Fair in Wetzlar, Germany. The feedback has been consistently positive—candidates find people who can answer all their questions, and EPIC members gain valuable insights into what the new generation is looking for in their ideal job.
We’re looking forward to the second edition of the guided tour at ECOC 2025 and a the tour at W3+Fair in Jena. Some participants may be hired by exhibiting companies, others may become customers or even competitors. Either way, this is also a long-term branding initiative.
