Zhangeldy Sarzhanov

International Category Manager – WABEL

Studying at Széchenyi István University

 I am from Kazakhstan and I was studying bachelor degree for International Relations at Széchenyi István University during 2017-2020. Honestly, I still miss those wonderful times at the University. This University became my second home, where I found many close friends from all over the world. We were carefree and enjoyed every minute of our lives. Despite many funny moments, I was quite ambitious and was in very good relations with all professors.

I graduated with an excellent diploma. Széchenyi István University gives many perspective opportunities for its students, which in turn provides significant incentives to explore this world. For example, I became a polyglot and mastered 3 additional foreign languages, for example, French, Turkish and of course, Hungarian. Many people in Győr were surprised when they heard my Hungarian, and asked why I have learned it. My answer was that learning your language means my deep respect for this country, because it is my second home.

Beginning a professional journey

After graduation from Széchenyi István University, I was enrolled at Corvinus University of Budapest for a master’s degree, studying International Business and Economy. During my studies at Corvinus University, I started my career. I was working for almost 2 years as a Deputy Consul at the Embassy of the Republic of Kazakhstan in Budapest. In parallel, I graduated with an excellent diploma from Corvinus University of Budapest and became an Economist in International Business and Economy.

Consequently, after gaining significant experience in Public Administration and an understanding of diplomatic and consular protocol, I wanted to improve my personal potential on the international level and was invited to the French company WABEL as an International Category Manager. My functional responsibilities were Category Management, Supplier Relationship Management, Market Analysis and Research, Sales and Business Development. I had been working for 1 year at WABEL. Still being quite ambitious, I was successfully employed by American Oil and Gas Corporation ExxonMobil Hungary KFT as a Senior Staff Tax Analyst. During my work at ExxonMobil, I was implementing Tax Compliance, Tax Reporting, Tax Planning and Strategy, Research and Analysis and Audit Support. This contributional experience gave an important impulse to my professional career.

From dream to reality

However, during my studies at Széchenyi István University, I told my professors that I was dreaming of working as a diplomat in such International Organizations as OSCE, UN, SCO, etc.

Széchenyi István University presented to me the most valuable thing, which was my dream. It taught me to dream big and work hard. Finally, my dream became true and I became an official employee of the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO). Day by day, I still miss those wonderful days at Széchenyi István University and will always be grateful to my second home, because everything I have and have achieved is thanks to all my lovely professors at Széchenyi István University.