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Youth Projects

Signposts - career guidance for youth

by Anna Kobalczyk

My Value (on which the project is based with some short description):

Career Guidance is the lifelong process of managing learning, work, leisure, and transitions in order to move toward a personally determined and evolving preferred future.  Career development involves the person’s creation of a career pattern, decision-making style, integration of life roles, values expression, and life-role self concepts. Finding a job can be a challenge for youth. They must determine what careers are available, what their interests are, and what skills they have or need to develop. Numerous resources are available to help youth get a sense of their interest and skills as well as gain employment experience and learn about employment opportunities.

The goal of the project:

Supporting in assessing their personal characteristics and needs, then connecting them with the education systems.

Supporting in developing career management competences.

Supporting individuals in understanding their situations, so as to work through issues towards solutions.

Method(s) used:

The first and most important methods for me is to develop rapport with a youth people. I had the opportunity to work earlier in a scout organization with a part of with the participants, so our relationship is based on trust and openness, willingness to act.

As a certified trainer I used Cognitive Behavioral Therapy techniques, which involve collaboratively examining the interplay between a youth’s thoughts, behaviors, and feelings. Teenagers are often plagued by internal stressors as well as external stressors which they need guidance in working. During the workshop I wanted to show how our thoughts and beliefs build the image of ourselves, our abilities, predispositions and talents that we can use in career planning. The proposed exercises strengthened self-confidence and high self-esteem. In their analysis of their strengths and elements of the professional preferences questionnaire, each participant has developed its own plan of action and development.

The process of conducting the project:

I think this workshop was a very good introduction to the individual work with the participants who need support in achieving their goals. I’m currently working with two participants who have chosen the system of regular meetings once a month.