Talent development is often thought of as something that happens in the future. At the Schneider Electric Hub in Novi Sad, Serbia, we see it differently: tomorrow’s leaders are shaped long before their first day at work.
For more than two decades, we’ve partnered with universities and run a wide range of student programs to help talented individuals build skills, experience, and confidence they need for successful careers. Our journey with students begins long before they become Schneider Electric employees – through scholarships, internships, lectures, workshops, and collaborative university projects that give young talent the chance to gain real-world experience and learn directly from industry experts.
Perhaps the clearest proof that this approach works is that more than half of our local leadership team began their professional journey as Schneider Electric scholars.
Scholars who became leaders
Some of the most inspiring examples of our talent development philosophy are former Schneider Electric Hub scholars who progressed from their earliest professional experiences into leadership roles with global impact, including Mirna Antic, Vladan Krsman, Ilija Ivetic, and Marko Djukovic.
Mirna Antic – Commercial Operations Director:
“One of the most valuable lessons I learned as a Schneider Electric scholar was that real-life challenges rarely come with clear answers, complete information, or predefined paths.
As students, we’re often trained to look for the ‘right solution’; this early experience taught me to navigate ambiguity, learn continuously, and build confidence through problem-solving. It opened a window into the complex challenges faced by utilities and energy companies around the world and showed me how much there is to learn beyond textbooks.
Most importantly, it gave me the opportunity to work alongside experienced professionals whose practical knowledge, guidance, and example pushed me to keep developing myself and expanding what I thought was possible.”
Vladan Krsman – Vice President Digital Grid CTO:
Becoming a scholarship recipient was a turning point for me. First, it has been a great recognition for me that boosted me to become better, to learn more, and to prove to myself and the company that they had made the right choice of selecting me.
Then, it helped to get the most of value in studying. Understanding how knowledge is applied in practice helped me see which skills and areas of expertise I needed to develop.
And third, it helped me to set the value that the triangle of academia, industry and science is what moves the world. Not only academia, not only industry, not only science, but all of them together. When you discover all of this as 20-year-old person, you have tremendous potential for growth, both professionally and personally.
Ilija Ivetic – Vice President Global Operations and Innovation:
When I was a student deciding where to start my career, Schneider wasn’t my only option. Looking back, it was the best one. Back then, I wanted three things: to learn fast, work on real and meaningful products & projects early, and solve actual problems – the kind engineers live for.
I got exactly that – a serious large-scale product and projects, and clients from all over the world. The learning went beyond the technical side too. I picked up plenty of “hard skills”, but just as much came from working with big, cross-functional teams, different cultures, and large companies – lessons that shaped me seriously. And as a young engineer, there was one bonus I didn’t expect to get – an opportunity to travel, literally around the world.
Marko Djukovic – Director of Research & Engineering Center, Schneider Electric Hub:
When I received the scholarship, what attracted me most was the chance to work alongside some of the best experts in the industry, in an environment where the only real limit was how much I wanted to learn.
At the time, the product we were building barely existed as a concept – more of a startup idea than a finished platform. That possibility, helping build something that could one day become an industry standard, was reason enough to stay in Serbia instead of pursuing a PhD in the USA. Today, that same product (EcoStruxure ADMS/DERMS) is a globally recognized industry standard, and we’re a global leader in this field.
Looking back, I’m genuinely proud that something we started almost from scratch, as young engineers still learning the ropes, is now the benchmark the whole industry looks to. That’s the kind of impact I never imagined possible when I was a student holding my first scholarship.
University partnerships and scholarship program: Building future talent
University partnerships play a key role in how we develop future talent at Schneider Electric Hub. Through close collaboration with academic institutions across Serbia, we help students connect academic knowledge with real-world industry experience in energy, software engineering, and digital technologies.
A strong example is our partnership with the Faculty of Technical Sciences in Novi Sad through the Applied Software Engineering study program, which combines academic excellence with hands-on industry experience.
One of our flagship local initiatives is the Scholarship Program, built on a simple belief – potential thrives when it’s given the right opportunities. The program creates an environment where students learn, grow, and develop their skills alongside experienced professionals – tackling real challenges in energy, sustainability, and innovation.
Building more than careers
Today, more than 350 of our employees, nearly 30% of our organization, came through our Scholarship Program. Many now hold expert and leadership positions, demonstrating that investing in young talent delivers long-term impact.
We’re proud that between 700 and 800 students have taken part in our student programs over the years. For many, Schneider Electric Hub became the place where they launched and built their careers, bringing to life the vision that has guided us for years – to be the First Choice for Students. For others, it became a springboard to successful careers across different industries, organizations, and entrepreneurial ventures.
That’s why we don’t measure the success of these programs only by how many people join Schneider Electric. We see it in every former scholar who goes on to contribute to broader technology and business ecosystem, creating value, driving innovation, and making an impact wherever their career takes them.
When we invest in students, we’re not only shaping the future of Schneider Electric. We’re creating opportunities, unlocking potential, and building a legacy that reaches far beyond any single role, company, or career path. By empowering the next generation of professionals, we help grow the technology community – in Serbia and around the world.
Ultimately, that is where we see the true value of everything we strive to create.
Be part of what’s next
Explore our open roles to see where your skills could help shape the future of digital energy and sustainability. If now is not the right moment to make a move, you can also join our talent community to stay up to date on Schneider Electric news, insights, and exclusive opportunities.
About the author
Ana Ivetic
Employer Branding Partner
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