The Olympiad “I am a professional” is one of the flagship projects of the presidential platform “Russia is a Land of Opportunities”. The Olympiad materials involved 72 areas of science: from journalism to robotics. More than 500 leading Russian companies became partners of the Olympiad. They not only supported the event but also provided the winners with career opportunities. The project is implemented with the help of the Ministry of Science and Higher Education of the Russian Federation.

The Novosibirsk region entered the top ten regions according to the number of diploma winners for the 5th season. It’s worth mentioning that 113 people successfully passed the tests, all of them are representatives of Novosibirsk universities such as NSU, NSTU, NSPU and NTU.

– In the Olympiad 2021/22, NSPU students represented our university in 19 different areas. Traditionally, NSPU is a partner university where semi-final tests are conducted in "Pedagogical education (basic)", - says Elena Nikolaevna Levshunova, Coordinator of the Olympiad "I am a professional", Deputy dean for Educational work of the NSPU Faculty of Psychology.

The purpose of the Olympiad is meant to find and support talented youth, develop their creative abilities, attract the most talented students to continue their studies in graduate and postgraduate studies, provide them with additional opportunities for professional and creative growth. The Olympiad is held for students of different areas of training: the humanities, technical, socio-economic, natural sciences, pedagogical, agricultural and medical.

The competition traditionally included two stages: qualifying and final. The first one took place in December 2021 in a remote format: one could participate from any place in the world, the only thing competitors had to have was a computer and Internet access. The second stage ran from February to April 2022. This time, due to the epidemiological situation in most areas, it took place online. The students completed practice-oriented tasks prepared by the organizing universities and partner companies.

This year, our university has won one silver and one bronze medals, five winner diplomas, eight prize-winners diplomas. It is important to mention that Anastasia Levashova, a students of the Institute of Childhood NSPU, became a bronze medalist, winner and prize-winner in three different nominations at the same time. Here are NSPU students - winners of the 5th season of the Olympiad "I am a professional":

• The silver medal: Daria Bushueva, the Institute of Philology, Mass Media and Psychology;
• The bronze medal: Anastasia Levashova, the Institute of Childhood;
• The winner diploma: Tatyana Balyakina, the Institute of Childhood;
• The winner diploma: Leila Imamkulieva, the Institute of Childhood;
• The winner diploma: Nikita Ledovskikh, the Institute of Philology, Mass Media and Psychology;
• The winner diploma: Ekaterina Serebryannikova, the Institute of Arts;
• The prize-winners diploma: Polina Zholob, the Institute of Childhood;
• The prize-winners diploma: Malika Kairalapova, the Institute of Childhood;
• The prize-winners diploma: Alexandra Khalo, the Institute of Childhood;
• The prize-winners diploma: Anastasia Pustovskikh, the Institute of Childhood;
• The prize-winners diploma: Daria Shadrina, the Institute of History and Liberal Arts Education

– I didn’t hesitate to participate in the Olympiad. It’s true to say, it happened by chance. I simply wanted to learn something new, colour my studies at the university, and just try my luck. As a result, I got a unique experience of working in formats that are unusual for me, - says the silver medalist of the Olympiad Daria Bushueva. - The organizers gave each participant a unique opportunity to show their maximum to open up. I think that it is important and useful for students to participate in such events, full of new impressions, opportunities and valuable experience that they can apply in their future professional activities.

– I have been participating in the Olympiad since my second year at University. I have always been interested in the Olympiad and competitive activities. Moreover, participation for free and good prizes motivate me a lot. I also take it as an opportunity to test my abilities and talents, - Anastasia Levashova, the bronze medalist of the Olympiad, shares her story. - Of course, any Olympiad, any result is an unrivalled experience that will be useful both in your professional activities and in your everyday life. Events like that always offer a fresh perspective on familiar things. It is especially paramount when students choose their preferences themselves, and not influenced by someone else. When you have fire in your eyes, when you really try your best, then sooner or later you will achieve a desired result.

The students became prize-winners, winners and medalists according to the points they scored in the competition. The prizes will give them benefits for admission to Master's, Postgraduate and Medical Residency programs at leading Russian universities and the opportunity to complete an internship at large companies. There is an additional bonus for gold, silver and bronze medalists of the Olympiad – it is a cash prize from100 to 300 thousand rubles.

Evgeny Grishukov