POSLOVNA ŠPICA Anita Prelas Kovačević

Guest Anita Prelas KovačevićHosted by Saša PetarMay 3, 2026

Anita Prelas Kovačević

About this episode

What you'll hear in this conversation

The future of work isn't just about skills; it's about mindset. Anita Prelas Kovačević, who heads the Career Center at Virovitica University of Applied Sciences, has spent fifteen years trying to bridge this gap between traditional education and the demands of a dynamic professional world. She doesn't just teach academic subjects; her mission is to help students "find their potential and use it in the best possible way," cultivating self-leadership and authenticity. This conversation explores how education can truly prepare young people to shape their own paths, moving beyond rote learning to foster an entrepreneurial way of thinking. You'll leave understanding the subtle shifts in youth ambition and the enduring power of asking 'why' in any context.

Insights from the conversation

What to take from this episode

When Anita Prelas Kovačević teaches, she sometimes feels "not a single word reaches them," yet years later, former students reach out to thank her. The real measure of educational impact isn't immediate comprehension, but the long-term application of lessons that become clear only with time.

Anita Prelas Kovačević defines her mission as helping young people "find their potential and use it in the best possible way," urging them to be "originals, not copies" and "leaders of their own lives." Preparing students means teaching them to lead themselves, not just to follow instructions.

A decade ago, her students openly preferred working for "the county or city," but in the past five to seven years, Anita Prelas Kovačević has observed a subtle but distinct shift: more young people now express a desire to start their own businesses. The subtle changes in stated aspirations often signal deeper shifts in a generation's priorities.

The "environment plays a very important factor" in a young person's career choice, Anita Prelas Kovačević notes, as students from entrepreneurial families are far more likely to pursue their own ventures. Individual ambition matters, but the strongest predictor of an entrepreneur is often the ecosystem they grew up in.

Five or six years ago, Anita Prelas Kovačević began integrating "personal growth and development" and coaching tools into her academic courses. This blend suggests that for lasting impact, education must go beyond technical knowledge to equip students with self-awareness and life skills.

Not everyone needs to become a business owner, she argues; the goal is to cultivate an "entrepreneurial mindset," which is simply a different way of thinking. The value isn't in launching a venture, but in developing a proactive approach to any challenge, in any role.

Anita Prelas Kovačević "adores the question 'why'" because, as she puts it, it "brings clarity to everything," allowing you to understand a problem's root before acting. The 'why' is not merely philosophical; it's the strategic precursor for any effective 'how'.

As employees find technical "how-to" information online, the host observes that managers are increasingly called upon for "psychological support for social answers." The modern leader's value shifts from providing technical instruction to offering human guidance and context.

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