ABSTRACT VIEW
THE INTEGRATION OF PROFESSIONAL TALKS IN UNIVERSITY EDUCATION: AN EFFECTIVE STRATEGY FOR CONNECTING STUDENTS WITH THE PROFESSIONAL ENVIRONMENT
R. Oltra-Badenes1, V. Guerola-Navarro1, H. Gil-Gomez1, A. Gil-Santin2
1 Universitat Politècnica de València (SPAIN)
2 Apsolut Group (SPAIN)
The integration of professional talks in university education has emerged as an effective strategy to connect students with the professional environment and facilitate a deeper understanding of the disciplines studied. This article explores how talks given by professionals can be used as a teaching-learning tool to enrich the educational experience and improve students' employability. The results of a case study conducted at a university, where a program of professional talks was implemented in an undergraduate course, are presented.

The study evaluated students' perceptions of the relevance and impact these talks could have on their academic and professional development. The responses indicate that professional talks not only increase students' interest and motivation but also provide a more practical and applied understanding of theoretical content.

The article concludes that the inclusion of professional talks in the university curriculum can be a highly beneficial pedagogical practice, fostering the integration of theory and practice, and better preparing students for the challenges of the professional world. Recommendations for the effective implementation of this approach are discussed, and areas for future research are suggested, including a longitudinal analysis of the impact of these activities on graduates' professional trajectories.

Keywords: Student perception, professional talks, professional environment, teaching-learning activities.