For many students who are now finishing primary or secondary school, an important question lies ahead: What’s next after school? Which sector should I choose? Which profession makes sense and offers a secure future?
Career Days, held in May 2025 and organized in cooperation with the Agricultural School Zagreb, offered a clear answer: there has never been a better time for a career in the agri-food sector—not only today, but for decades to come.
Today, the food sector stands at the intersection of major challenges and opportunities. Global data warn us: one-third of all food produced worldwide is wasted, 70% of drinking water is consumed by the food industry, and more than 25% of global greenhouse gas emissions come from food production. At the same time, over two billion people are overweight, while 800 million people go hungry. Food has become an issue of health, environment, justice, and sustainability—and this very sector offers some of the most important innovations and solutions.
PLACe Market, May 16, 2025 – From Market to Table
The first part of Career Day took place at PLACe Market, an event held at Zagreb’s Dolac Market that connects local gastronomy, culture, and education. Students participated in a guided market tour, spoke with organizers and hospitality professionals, and learned what real work “behind the scenes” looks like—from event planning to the promotion of local products.
The program was opened by Sarah Josipović, founder of the PLACe project, who introduced students to the importance of local food and sustainability and shared practical advice on event organization. This was followed by conversations with chefs and restaurant representatives. Students took notes, interviewed exhibitors, and discussed careers that connect markets, food, and tourism.
Career Day at the Agricultural School, May 23, 2025
The central Career Day event was held on May 23 at the Agricultural School Zagreb, where school halls and classrooms were transformed into a meeting space between students and real careers in the agri-food sector. An interactive fair featured more than 15 exhibitors, two panel discussions, practical demonstrations, and direct encounters with family farms (OPGs), innovators, and alumni.
The following exhibitors were presented at the stands:
OPG Šagud, OPG Makal, OPG Bužinec, OPG Ivanka Maršić, OPG and cheese dairy Adela Jareš, Knezović Winery, OPG Baškarić, OPG Rossi, OPG Mlinarić, OPG Matekalo, as well as the Student Cooperative Pušlek (Agricultural School Zagreb) and the Student Cooperative Kreativa (School of Food Technology Zagreb).
Students engaged in discussions about starting their own businesses, food production and processing, the use of social media and digital tools, and the importance of local communities and sustainability.
Panel #1 – “From Farm to Career: What Can I Become?”
Moderated by student Kristija Elez, with panelists:
- Lucija Baškarić: OPG Baškarić
- Marieta Jareš: OPG Adela Jareš
- Antonela Birkić: OPG Knezović
The speakers addressed questions such as:
What motivated them to work in the sector? What are today’s challenges and advantages? How can tradition be combined with innovation? And what would they tell themselves when they were still students?
Students listened to real-life stories about working the land, entrepreneurship, passion for production, as well as marketing, digital channels, and sustainability.
Panel #2 – “Food, Media, and the Future”
Moderated by student Darma Hodžić, with panelists:
- Kasandra Draganić: Vilicom kroz Hrvatsku
- Tvrtko Matijević: BEE Leonitus
- Sergej Lugović: Only Plants by Vesela Motika
The participants presented careers that connect science, media, sustainability, and innovation. Topics included bee venom, plant-based nutrition, food writing, and the use of social media for promotion and education.
Student Experiences
Darma Hodžić, student and moderator:
“I would like to say that this was truly a very beautiful experience that I would love to repeat. I believe that none of the panelists we met yesterday had an easy path to today’s success, but I admire their perseverance in what they believed in and loved doing. In the end, that effort paid off. Even though I still don’t know what I will do after secondary school, this showed me that regardless of obstacles, persistence leads to something real and valuable. That is a message I will carry with me for a long time.”
Kristija Elez, student and moderator:
“I had the honor of moderating a panel together with my friend. Each of us led one panel, and I am really satisfied with how everything went. Thank you to the FoodEducators team for designing this activity together with our school and for including us students. I spoke with many classmates after the event—everyone said it was interesting and that they learned a lot. This is a great continuation of the activities we had last year, when we interviewed people from the food sector. That practical part—going into the field and talking to people who actually live these careers—is what motivates us the most.
I was especially interested in the part about bee venom and innovation. I am in love with bees, plants, and animals—only then with people. I didn’t know I would have the opportunity to sit next to such successful individuals who can be role models for all of us. I had been thinking for some time about starting my own family farm, but after this event and everything I heard, I am now completely sure that I will do it. This is my path.”
The Food Sector Is the Sector of the Future
During Career Days, more than 200 students experienced the food sector as dynamic, creative, and essential—through panels, demonstrations, and direct conversations with family farms, professors, innovators, and entrepreneurs. Through moderating discussions, asking questions, and hands-on activities, they demonstrated both interest and potential to take a leading role in its transformation.
The shared message from all participants was clear:
By combining tradition and innovation, along with perseverance, knowledge, and a willingness to work, the path to success becomes possible. The agri-food sector is no longer a “backup option”—it is where some of today’s most important innovations are taking place.
By combining tradition and innovation, along with perseverance, knowledge, and a willingness to work, the path to success becomes possible. The agri-food sector is no longer a “backup option”—it is where some of today’s most important innovations are taking place.
When choosing your path, choose a sector that connects real needs, tradition, innovation, and sustainability.
It is time to stop thinking of the agri-food sector as a sector of the past—and start seeing it as a sector of the future.
