We will pair every student from one grade at an at-risk high school on the outskirts of Sofia with one of our Career Volunteers (CVs). All 50 students will work 1-on-1 with their CV to develop a personalized career development plan that will take them in their desired direction. Long-term mentoring will ensure students put the plan to good use.
At-risk youths without parents, from minority groups, from impoverished and geographically disadvantaged situations often have limited or no access to professional development resources. This often leaves them unable to make informed career choices, to develop academically and professionally in the right direction, and to become competitive on the labor market, furthering the cycle of poverty for future generations.
During the 2017-2018 school year Step for Bulgaria conducted career workshops in high schools in the low-end suburbs of Sofia and the towns of Novi Iskar and Kostinbrod. We want to pair the students of each school with professional mentors from various industries who will help them develop personalized career development plans to guide their efforts to become financially independent. Long-term career mentoring will ensure the students put the plans to good use.
Career orientation and long-term development will help the youths develop choose and pursue a career path matching their interests, strengths and values. Finding the right job will allow them to become financially independent and break the cycle of poverty in their families and communities.
