Viktor Mitruk

Community and Partnership Lead, First Line Software

University taught me how to collaborate in a team, express myself confidently, and use critical thinking in research.

Why I chose to attend Leeds Trinity

As a student coming to England from Slovakia, I didn’t know much about universities in the UK especially in West Yorkshire. My strategy was to apply to several universities so I could visit them and get a feel for each one. I chose Leeds Trinity because of its strong community vibe. The course content resonated with me, and sometimes you just have to trust your instincts I’m so glad I did.

Valuable placements

I completed several placements during my studies, but the one that had the biggest impact on me was at the Leeds Trinity Students’ Union, where I worked as a Sport and Media Assistant. I loved the experience it gave me the confidence to brainstorm ideas, speak up, and take ownership of projects. It really pushed me to grow, both professionally and personally.

What I enjoyed most about the course

I really enjoyed studying media at Leeds Trinity. My favourite subject was radio production. I absolutely loved it. It inspired me to create my own podcast with two friends, using the university’s studio. We never published it, but the process was so much fun, especially the post-production part. I enjoyed editing the audio, playing with sound, and letting my creativity flow. The teacher was incredibly supportive, which made the experience even better. Another highlight was filming our short movie.

Leaving University with new skills

We can look at this from two angles. On the technical side, I learned how to edit videos, movies, and radio content, which I’m very grateful for. On the soft skills side, University taught me how to collaborate in a team, express myself confidently, and use critical thinking in research. These are essential skills in today’s world, and I carry them with me every day.

My career so far, including the highlights

Ironically, after University I moved back to my hometown in Slovakia. It’s funny because most people go the opposite way, leaving Slovakia to build a career in the UK. I did things differently. After some time searching, I landed a job at an IT company where I started in a project role and eventually transitioned into the marketing department. There, I managed internal and external communications for both Slovakia and Czechia.

But the most significant part of my career so far was my role at Košice IT Valley, a regional IT cluster. I led the educational development agenda and, after a few years, became Head of Operations and Relationship Management.

Most recently, I began a new chapter as a Community and Partnership Lead in the private sector. I'm especially excited about launching my own NGO, AI Prompt, which focuses on building an AI community. I’ve had the chance to travel, speak on panels, and give keynotes about future skills, digitalisation, and AI, something I’m truly passionate about. 

My advice to students thinking about doing a similar course

Take full advantage of the resources your university offers - studios, equipment, software, expert knowledge, and the support of your lecturers. Use this time to explore, experiment, and discover what you're truly passionate about. Be a team player, but don’t be afraid to make bold decisions for yourself.

Good luck and enjoy the journey!

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