News and Events at Adriatic College

Career Guidance Days at Adriatic College were a series of meetings and conversations about how a person chooses the work they are ready to do for a long time and which steps can support this choice already during school. The week brought together activities for pupils from primary years through to upper school, with the format adjusted to the age and needs of each group.

A separate session was organised for Year 9 classes and US1 Pearson. The career guidance expert spoke with the pupils about how the contemporary labour market is structured, which fields emerge, which are in decline, and what the idea of a “suitable profession” means in practice. The conversation was not limited to the names of specialisms, but also touched on how a person understands their own interests, transfers them into a working context and tests their expectations.

A separate part of the session was devoted to the diagnosis of interests and inclinations. The expert invited the pupils to take a set of tests that help to structure their view of themselves:

At other meetings with invited experts the pupils reflected on how money relates to creativity and what happens when a person chooses an activity that is personally engaging and at the same time considers the practical aspect of a profession. The focus was on questions such as how to look for balance between inner motivation and the real conditions of the labour market, what to regard as success and how to relate to changes in professional plans.

For primary school pupils the Career Guidance Days took the form of conversations with parents. Mothers and fathers came into the classroom and spoke about their professions: what they do each day, which decisions they make, and what in their work gives a sense of meaning. This format allowed primary pupils to ask direct questions and to see that behind every job title there is a person with their experience and choices.

A key idea of the week was that the search for one’s own path is not limited by school years or a single decision. Changing plans, trying new roles, listening to oneself and noticing one’s strengths are an ordinary part of moving towards the kind of work in which a person feels support and interest.