From NEWTON to MIT: Christopher Svitok’s Journey of Innovation and Success

Christopher Svitok, a proud alumnus of NEWTON University, recently showcased his exceptional problem-solving and innovation skills by winning a bronze medal at the prestigious Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) Medical Hackathon. This event brings together diverse teams of professionals and students to tackle urgent healthcare challenges. Christopher’s team project highlights the power of interdisciplinary collaboration in creating impactful healthcare solutions. His achievement not only demonstrates the potential of such hackathons in fostering new ideas but also underscores the global recognition of emerging talents from NEWTON University. Christopher reflected on his experience, attributing his success to a blend of hard work and the crucial opportunities provided by NEWTON, which played a pivotal role in his journey.

Christopher, you have achieved great international success. How do you feel about it?

Winning third place at MIT Hacking Medicine still feels incredible, even months after it happened. However, more than just the thrill of the achievement, I feel a deep sense of gratitude for having the opportunity itself and for being able to pursue it. As I like to say, “talent is everywhere, but opportunity is not”.

What I consider important to note here is that this great international success also involved a certain degree of luck. I personally believe that all of us work hard, we all chase our dreams, and we all give it our best. And sometimes, things turn out the way we hoped, and we call it “success”. But what we often forget is to acknowledge the role of luck in those situations. I can’t clearly say what the proportion of luck and hard work was in this case, but I realise that both of them played a crucial role in this situation.

To conclude, it was after this hackathon that I realised the essential role opportunities have played in my personal development journey. As a result, I now actively share opportunities within my network. If you’re interested in hackathons or similar events, feel free to connect with me on LinkedIn.

What are your plans for the future?

In the near future, I plan to seek a job abroad, most probably in business and technology. My experience with international hackathons has shown me that such environments are highly stimulating, enhancing my productivity and work satisfaction. I also intend to pursue a master’s degree, likely in IT and business, although this is still an open question.

Long-term, I hope to contribute to social or environmental initiatives, potentially within the private sector. Additionally, the MIT hackathon helped me form valuable personal and professional connections and opened up new opportunities, such as other hackathons, incubators, projects, and jobs. I aim to explore these opportunities and return to such dynamic environments in the future.

What was the biggest experience for you in the USA?

The most striking experience in the USA was observing how innovation development systems work there. I learned that three key factors drive innovation: ambition, funding, and environment. When these elements align, innovation progresses at an unprecedented pace.

For instance, I spoke with a PhD student in nanotechnologies at MIT who illustrated how this system works. The setup involved three main parties. First, the student, who received $150,000 per year for her work. Second, a company paid $150,000 to cover the student’s university and living expenses. Third, MIT was compensated for providing its world-class research environment. In this arrangement, all parties benefit: the student earns her degree, the company gains valuable research, and MIT receives payments for its services.

In my view, Europe could benefit from greater cooperation between various institutions, whether they are businesses, NGOs or any governmental organisations. Connecting these could lead to an increased number of innovations, which I consider a key takeaway from my time in the USA.

How has NEWTON helped you on your journey?

During my final year of undergraduate studies, I worked on a thesis titled “Using Data from Wearables and Other Sensors to Measure and Optimise Health and Well-Being Management in the Workplace”, which was supervised by Dr. Anna Plechatá Krausová.

After completing this thesis, I wanted to bring this idea to life. It was at that point when I learned about the Medicine Hackathon at MIT. After receiving an offer to participate, I found out that the trip was quite financially challenging. With that in mind, I decided to reach out to Dr. Plechatá Krausová, who strongly supported my thesis idea. Having provided me with guidance earlier, she felt enthusiastic about this opportunity and offered the assistance needed to make the hackathon experience possible. That being said, without NEWTON’s crucial support, I would not have been able to pursue this opportunity.

Why did you choose this particular university for your studies?

When I was in high school, my understanding of university life was limited. I knew I wanted to continue my education, but I didn’t know where. With that in mind, I tried to gather as much information as possible, but in the end, I relied heavily on information from university fairs. Nevertheless, my criteria were clear - I wanted to stay in the business field and have enough spare time for extracurricular activities.

After discovering NEWTON University at a local fair, I visited their website and looked for a program that combined business with psychology and allowed time for extracurricular activities. While the university met many of my initial expectations, there were also some challenges. For example, being provided with more time for extracurricular activities meant fewer assignments, which sometimes required extra effort to grasp course material. Nevertheless, I am grateful for the time I could use to focus on extracurricular activities, thanks to which I was eventually led to opportunities like MIT Hacking Medicine.

Would you recommend NEWTON to your friends and why?

I believe one of NEWTON’s key strengths is its access to private capital, both through its alumni network and external funding partners. This can be particularly valuable for prospective students seeking funding for their ideas.

However, while NEWTON’s ability to fund ideas is unique among universities in Europe, it’s important to consider other factors as well. When evaluating a university, I recommend that students assess their personal priorities and how well the university’s offerings align with their goals. Visiting the university, speaking with current students and lecturers, and consulting alumni about their experiences can provide valuable insights.

To conclude, I would recommend NEWTON for its ability to support students in realising their ideas. Whether you want to found a company, start a podcast, or seek investment or guidance for an existing project, NEWTON is well-equipped and eager to help. If any of these opportunities interest you, I believe NEWTON is the right place for you. In case you have any additional questions, feel free to reach out to me - I would be happy to provide more information on my experience.