Teenagers attending the second summer session of the Rinat Akhmetov Foundation’s Blogger Camp took part in a career guidance workshop. Its aim was to help young people gain a better understanding of their strengths, interests, and opportunities for future professional development. 

The session was led by Larysa Ren, a psychologist, Candidate of Pedagogical Sciences, Associate Professor, and Head of the Department of Social Work and Educational and Pedagogical Sciences at the T.H. Shevchenko National University “Chernihiv Collegium”.    She explained to the children how to choose their dream profession in today’s rapidly changing world. The teenagers explored their own strengths, skills, and interests. They discussed the difference between hard and soft skills, as well as why it is important to be able to work in a team, listen to others, manage emotions, and resolve conflicts. 

“Today, we explored the formula for choosing a profession: ‘want, can, and need’, and how a profession can be found at the intersection of these three elements. The world is changing very rapidly now: some professions are disappearing forever, while new ones are emerging. Today, it is impossible to choose a single profession once and for all. What matters is choosing a field that you enjoy and that matches a child’s interests and skills. From there, you can choose a profession and the educational institutions where you will pursue your studies,” said Larysa Ren.

The psychologist emphasises that career guidance should begin as early as possible. Becoming familiar with different professions while still in primary school helps children make decisions about their future education more easily and reduces stress when applying to educational institutions.

“For 16-year-olds, choosing their future often feels like standing at a crossroads. Our workshop was not about deciding on a specific profession, but about giving them the opportunity to recognise their own strengths, understand the areas in which they would like to develop, and reduce the anxiety associated with choosing their future,” the specialist noted.

According to the psychologist’s observations, today’s teenagers are particularly interested in foreign languages, cybersecurity, IT, as well as professions related to service in the Armed Forces of Ukraine. 

In response to young people’s growing interest in self-discovery and preparing for their future careers, the Rinat Akhmetov Foundation’s Blogger Camp is strengthening its career guidance programme. As early as this autumn, the main feature of the next session will be STEM classes, combining science, technology, engineering, and mathematics. Through experiments, practical activities, and teamwork, children will explore the world around them while developing logical thinking, creativity, and skills in using modern technologies.

Blogger Camp always offers engaging and diverse activities that help Ukrainian young people believe in themselves, relax and improve their health in the fresh air, make new friends, and look confidently towards both their own future and the future of their country despite today’s challenges.

Thanks to the Rinat Akhmetov to Children.  Peaceful Rest for Children of Ukraine programme, more than 5,000 children from different parts of the country have already been able to regain their strength, enjoy new experiences, and find like-minded friends. Overall, throughout the years of its work, the Foundation has provided assistance to more than 6 million Ukrainian children.