‘The future of the village belongs to teenagers’. How schoolchildren’s perceptions of professions are changing in Kharkiv region
Watching cows milked to the sound of classical music on a modern farm, trying on a paramedic’s uniform, or giving their first-ever injection on a medical manikin – for schoolchildren in Natalynska community in Kharkiv region, these are not just educational trips, but part of a carefully thought-out system for choosing a future profession.
The community is convinced that, in order for teenagers to want to live and work in their home area, they need to be shown the inner workings of local businesses, have stereotypes about «hard and dirty» work dispelled, and be given the chance to «get a feel for» different professions – thereby helping them to discover their calling.
‘Career guidance has always been one of the areas of focus in our schools. However, during remote learning, it inevitably took a back seat, as the key priority was to ensure the basic educational process continued. Taking part in the pilot project to test the career guidance system within the DECIDE Project helped us to look at this issue from a new perspective. We conducted an in-depth survey, clearly identified our strengths and weaknesses, and were able to coordinate our work in such a way that it became truly systematic,’ says Oksana Rudenko, Head of the Education Department and Career Coordinator for Natalynska community.
Teachers emphasise that systematic counselling is essential for the community to break down outdated perceptions of limited career choices in rural areas and to retain local human resources.
‘Many children have fixed stereotypes that, in a rural community, after school, you can only become a shop assistant, a doctor, a teacher or go into the oil and gas sector. Many have no idea what businesses are operating nearby and that you do not necessarily have to go far away to find a decent job and a decent salary. This is important for the development of the teenagers themselves and for the community’s potential – so that skilled workers do not leave, but instead study, return, and work for the benefit of their home community, close to their families,’ emphasises Oksana Rudenko.
On the JOBS course and how the career guidance system works
The updated career guidance system in communities is based on several interlinked components: cooperation between the education sector, local authorities, and the business community; the work of career coordinators and career education counsellors; the practical JOBS course for students in Grades 8–9, adapted to the Ukrainian education system using materials from the Zurich University of Teacher Education; and career guidance excursions to businesses, vocational education institutions and other organisations, where young people can gain first-hand experience of the world of professions.
This approach is implemented as part of a national pilot project on career guidance for children and teenagers, implemented by the Swiss-Ukrainian DECIDE Project in cooperation with the Ministry of Education and Science of Ukraine.
The JOBS course shifts the focus from traditional lectures to interactive sessions, psychological exercises, self-discovery, and the development of soft skills. It helps teenagers explore their own aptitudes, understand the needs of the labour market, and map out their educational path. At school level, career counsellors work with the children – these are teachers who have undergone special training and help schoolchildren understand the world of modern professions.
‘For us, the JOBS course has become a ready-made and very convenient tool, complete with a clear handbook and teaching materials. The handbook contains many psychological exercises that help children open up, reflect on their own aspirations, and not be afraid to ask questions. At the same time, the main task of a career counsellor is to step out of the role of teacher or administrator and become an equal partner for the children,’ says Elizaveta Konarieva, Deputy Director for Educational and Pastoral Work at the Natalyne Lyceum and a career counsellor.
The initial survey revealed a gap – typical of many communities – between teenagers’ aspirations, parents’ expectations, and the actual needs of the local economy.
‘Teenagers mostly dream of a career in IT, flexible working hours, and high salaries; parents focus on higher education and managerial positions; whereas the community needs specialists in the agricultural sector, the processing industry, the oil and gas sector, medicine, and education,’ emphasises Oksana Rudenko.
Training that changes world views
Therefore, teachers have placed their emphasis on practical experience. Students have already visited a number of local businesses, organisations, and educational institutions – ranging from agricultural complexes to the fire station and the medical college.
‘We have plenty of options: the community is home to the agricultural sector, forestry, the oil and gas industry, a cheese factory, berry farms, a vegetable processing plant and the fire service,’ notes Oksana Rudenko.
For instance, during a visit to the Promin Agricultural Production Cooperative, the students saw first-hand how animals are cared for and observed the modern equipment in use. For many, this was a real eye-opener that made them think about their future profession.
‘It was one of the most memorable trips, as the children were able to visit a real farm, see how the animals are looked after, and learn how the milking process works. Afterwards, some of the schoolchildren even admitted that they were seriously considering a career as a zoologist. And during a visit to the Berestyn Vocational Medical College, located in a neighbouring community, the children had the chance to practise giving an injection on a mannequin themselves. Some were fascinated, others realised it was not their thing – and that, too, is a very valuable experience,’ says Yelizaveta Konarieva.
Practical excursions broaden students’ understanding not only of specific professions, but also of entire sectors. At the private company Yukon Agro, which processes sunflower and rapeseed, the teenagers saw modern machines and learnt about waste-free production.
‘At the company, specialists shared their own success stories, which helped the children dispel many myths about the knowledge and skills needed to become sought-after professionals. And at the fire station, the opportunity to try on a protective suit and sit in a fire engine was what excited them the most,’ adds Liliia Nemyrovska, Deputy Director for Educational and Upbringing Work at Petrivka gymnasium, and careers counsellor.
The trip to the forestry centre was no less informative
‘Our children visited the greenhouses where seedlings are grown. They learnt how different tree species fulfil their roles, such as retaining moisture near bodies of water. It turned out that forestry is not just the work of a forester, but also a vast array of other important specialisms,’ says Svitlana Dzekh, Director of Petrivka gymnasium.
Besides, the excursions to the enterprises helped to dispel outdated stereotypes that working on the land or in the manufacturing sector is nothing but hard manual labour.
‘During a visit to an agricultural enterprise, the schoolchildren expected to see difficult and dirty conditions, but instead they saw modern technology and a specialist in light, smart clothing who was managing the processes by pressing buttons. When they learnt about the level of pay, the opportunity for work placements abroad and the extent of automation, it motivated them enormously. A specialist on site can tell you far more than any brochure or video,’ emphasises Svitlana Dzekh.
Flexibility, working with parents, and support from psychologists
Systematic career guidance in Natalynska community extends not only to schoolchildren, but also to their parents, who do not always have full information about the potential of local businesses. Teachers involve the psychological support service and specialists from the Centre for the Professional Development of Teaching Staff in this work.
‘We have engaged psychologists from our schools and the Centre for Professional Development, who have developed a special questionnaire to identify each child’s aptitudes and abilities. We then work directly in response to the students’ requests. It is extremely important to broaden the children’s horizons, to show them that there are businesses in the local community where they can earn a decent wage, work close to their families and avoid having to go abroad or to large cities. The community leadership fully supports our work: if we need to get in touch with the management of large companies, the community leader personally gets involved and helps to arrange the necessary contacts,’ emphasises Oksana Rudenko.
Work with families involves parent-teacher meetings and joint events. Teachers explain that a well-chosen career should bring a child not only financial gain but also emotional fulfilment. Some parents, recognising the importance of careers guidance, invite schoolchildren to visit their workplaces at the companies where they work.
The students’ positive experiences spread quickly by word of mouth, drawing more and more children and parents into career guidance activities.
Educational pathway and the future of the community
Career guidance takes on particular significance in the context of the reform of specialised senior secondary schools. Natalynska community has three gymnasiums and one lyceum. According to teachers and community leaders, the main objective is to create conditions in which the educational pathway «kindergarten – gymnasium – lyceum – vocational training» logically culminates in young people returning to their home village.
‘The project has come at just the right time, because during wartime it is particularly important to encourage children to get involved in developing their hometowns. Schoolchildren need to see prospects and a future for their village – a place where they want to stay, work and raise their own children. Teenagers really want to travel, explore and learn – and that is certainly encouraging,’ says Olena Havrylova, Director of the Natalyne Lyceum.
Teachers also place high hopes on the resumption of full-time in-person learning. Construction of a modern bomb shelter is underway in the community. This will enable a move away from the blended learning format and help bridge the educational gaps that arose during remote learning.
The community has already mapped out its work to catch up on everything that was planned and to enrol new year groups of schoolchildren.
‘In the new academic year, we are continuing with everything we were unable to complete. We are now setting clearer frameworks and deadlines, and improving and developing what we have already started. The children are growing up: last year’s seven-graders have moved up to Grade 8 and joined the JOBS course, whereas nine-graders are continuing their studies and discovering new specialisms for themselves,’ concludes Oksana Rudenko.
The main aspiration of the teachers in Natalyne is to nurture a conscious generation that sees its success in its own community.
‘We want to convey to the children that they do not need to «go to Las Vegas» – they can stay in their little Natalyne and turn it into a promising, successful village where people are looked after. On one of the school excursions, the children asked the company director if he would hire them after they graduated, and he replied, «If you want to work, we’ll definitely make it happen together». Such simple and sincere words provide a huge boost to a child’s development. We have good facilities, the support of the local council, and ambitious young teachers. Together, we will shape an educational pathway that will yield significant results for the future of Natalynska community,’ says Olena Havrylova with confidence.
The DECIDE project is implemented by NGO DOCCU and PHZH International Projects in Education with the support of the Embassy of Switzerland in Ukraine.