Vocational guidance for children in Oaxaca City

Mundo de Talentos - Vocational guidance for children in Oaxaca City

Mundo de Talentos offers orientation about work and studies through an intensive two-year program that takes place every Saturday. Girls and boys between the ages of 10 and 13 from different public schools are selected to participate. Passionate professionals share their work experiences and invite students to engage in learning about potential career opportunities.

During October and November 2022 Mundo de Talentos implemented a pilot in the city of Oaxaca that was fully financed by sponsor and educational partner Hotel con Corazón. The Children's Museum of Oaxaca (MIO) lent us its facilities throughout the pilot. The alliance with the MIO made possible an excellent implementation of the activities in a highly inspiring place.

The pilot was carried out with 20 students from various public primary schools. After a very positive evaluation from all those involved, we will continue with this group of 20 students in January 2023. With enough financial support, we will start with the first official class with 40 students in 2023.

During the pilot, we implemented eight sessions every Saturday from 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. at the facilities of the Children's Museum of Oaxaca, with the following subjects:

1. Inauguration: Introduction of the project coordinator and program managers; logistics and dates of the program.
2. Podcast: Creation of a podcast about dinosaurs. With radio producer Carlos Alberto Cruz Díaz.
3. Arts: Excursion to plastic arts workshop. With internationally recognized painter Tomás Pineda.
4. Aviation: Teach boys and girls about the different professions in aviation. With air traffic controller Pablo Alejandro López Sosa.
5. Tourism: Show that Oaxaca is a tourist attraction and has many different job opportunities in tourism. With tourist guide Guadalupe Concepción Ibáñez.
6. Confectionery: Investigating the combination of entrepreneurism and bakery. With pastry chef Ricardo Gómez de la Cruz.
7. Virtual reality: Placing children in the context of new technologies and their opportunities. With engineer José Rodrigo Zenteno.
8. Festive closure: Remembering each of our speakers and their professions. Thanking all partners.

Based on the results we obtained from surveys and evidence from parents, students, and speakers, we conclude that the pilot in Oaxaca was a great success. Starting on January 14, 2023, Mundo de Talentos can open a second location in the City of Oaxaca and continue working with the 20 students who enrolled in the pilot. The program will include six modules divided into 4 sessions each, to complete the first project year in June 2023.

Mundo de Talentos aims to open a new generation of 40 students in September 2023 once we achieve sufficient financial support. Hotel con Corazón will continue to be our sponsor and educational ally as of September 2023. The workspace will continue to be the Children's Museum of Oaxaca.

Parent testimony:

“In this new stage of my son I have noticed the change in his camaraderie and in his way of expressing himself towards people. Every Saturday he gets up happy and already wants to leave home to attend the activities of Mundo de Talentos. We thank you for promoting these workshops and enlightening the children about good things in life. This way they will be good citizens. Thank you for your teachings, your time, your patience and dedication in the learning of our children. Be sure that what you have sown will not be in vain and that the future will see the fruits of this noble work.”