Conversations with Turkey's Career Pioneers - Zeynep Erkunt Armağan

We had our fourth Turkey's Career Pioneers Talk with Zeynep ERKUNT ARMAĞAN, the vice-chair and general manager of Erkunt Tractor Ind. Inc. Erkunt-Armağan, who started her professional life as the only woman in casting and machining factories, indicated that she loves doing her job and that she entered the local tractor production business because she enjoys doing different things.

Erkunt-Armağan indicated that she would especially like to employ TED graduates as she herself experienced the benefits of being a TED graduate coupled with her education in Economics. She advised our students to choose a profession they would enjoy and receive an education in that specific area. In addition, she underlined that following the 25% of theoretical knowledge and preparation for life they receive at university, students will actually practice the remaining 75% during their professional life, which will in return help shape their lives. By providing examples of some troubling times at Erkunt Tractor, she explained that entrepreneurship is not as easy as it seems.

By stating that one day one of the members of the audience could take her place in that chair, she indicated that students should pursue their dreams, listen to their inner voice, not give up, get up from their computer screens to read books, listen and take notes, and do beneficial things that would help them develop humanistic values. As one last note, she added that as they come to know their family they will better know themselves.