2024-07-07 22:13:14
“I hear people saying that luck helped someone find a good job, have a happy life, a nice home, but I know very well that everything is determined by effort. Nobody will hand you your dream job on a plate if you don’t have the motivation to act. But sometimes you can’t do it yourself – you need help from the country,” says the woman from Panevėžys, who was invited to participate in the project idea “I can study – I can work” submitted to the project “Alternative investment detector” by the European Social Fund Agency (ESFA).
“Alternative investment detector” allowed various organizations to implement unique project ideas, which gave project participants the opportunity to receive services, consultations and trainings that meet their personal needs. At the same time, the necessary human connection and trust were created, support and accompaniment was provided in his personal journey towards his goals and dreams”, says Jolita Petraitienė, head of the ESFA project development department.
Women of working age belonging to social risk groups could become participants in the project idea “I can study – I can work”: single mothers, disabled, raising children with disabilities, receiving low income or not participating in the labor market for more than one year.
After receiving free help from specialists in various fields, Ieva revealed herself as a person and is finally working on her dream job. True, this path was not easy.
He was looking for opportunities and himself
In Panevėžys, Ieva graduated from a vocational school, where she obtained the specialty of hairdresser – manicurist, which, she says, she never dreamed of: “I did not plan to be a hairdresser, I was interested in the profession of cosmetologist, but before the group was formed, just before the first of September, I received an offer to study the specialty of hairdresser. I agreed… After my studies, I worked in my specialty for maybe half a year, but I realized that this kind of work is not for me”.
Later, one job replaced another. Ieva took up a wide variety of activities, mostly working as a seller-consultant in cosmetics and clothing stores.
“Many jobs simply did not meet my criteria – neither the work schedule nor the nature of the work satisfied me,” says the woman from Panevėžys. – At that time, I was raising a small child alone, so I was looking for a job from 8 to 5 in the evening. Both then and now, such a job (in Panevėžys – author’s post) is difficult to find.”
Ieva admits that she didn’t want to look for another job every month, but she didn’t know what kind of activity she would really like, so she didn’t work for several years. To participate in the project idea “I can study – I can work” was suggested by a friend who accidentally saw an advertisement on Facebook.
After starting to participate in the project’s activities, Ieva gradually gained courage, learned to express her opinion, and clearly formed her thoughts on what she would like to do next. The woman completed the social worker’s assistant course. In order to gain more experience, he signed up to volunteer for the Red Cross, actively involved in its activities.
“We applied a plan of individual activities according to the individual’s needs,” said Ieva Grigaitė, director of the VšĮ Septynios akimirkas, which implemented the project idea.
According to her, in order to return to work or find a job, one should first try to find harmony between mind and heart – overcome emotional challenges, find out psychological obstacles – only then can a person act purposefully and consciously: “Practical tools, for example, writing a CV or preparing for work for the interview, is the last stage”.
During the interview-assessment, it was observed what challenges the person is facing and then he is given comprehensive help: psychologist, neuro-educator, as well as career specialist, social worker and other consultations. There were trainings for the improvement of work and professional competences, various group activities aimed at self-knowledge.
“I really liked art therapy, where I could relax. I remember you had to draw a picture of how you imagine yourself, life”, said Ieva and added right there: But therapies remain therapies… After the project ends, a person has to keep trying. I really liked the idea that we provide the rod, but a person has to catch the fish.”
Dream job – with children
Ieva says that she always dreamed of working as a teacher’s assistant, she tried to get a job in this field many times, but she did not have the right education: “I was looking for opportunities and realized that the opportunities are greater after finishing my education, so I wanted to study.” I talked about this with Ieva (Grigaite – aut.post.) from the project. I wanted more serious studies, not a course certificate, but a diploma.”
Attempts to enroll in a vocational school were initially unsuccessful, and the Employment Service did not offer such courses either. However, in June of last year, Ieva managed to enter the Panevėžys training center, where she graduated this year as a teacher’s assistant and is now a certified specialist in this field. The woman admits that without the help of project specialists, it would have been difficult to achieve the goal – they helped at all stages, starting with submitting documents to an educational institution, ending with consultations in the job search process.
“I currently work as a teacher’s assistant in a kindergarten. I really like being among children, I’m doing my dream job, even though it’s not easy,” says Ieva, who admits that the knowledge and experience gained by participating in the project’s activities have strengthened and enriched her. Before she had a job, she volunteered. I had to volunteer at a care home for the elderly, where I learned to simply be there consciously – to give the elderly the much-needed and longed-for attention by listening to life stories.
“Children also feel a person very well. They know what to do and what not to do, says Ieva, who spends her days with her lively four-year-olds. – It is important to be able to engage with them, interest them and show attention to everyone, without singling out any of them. Children of this age need a lot of activities – we hang out together outside and play games together in a circle, talk about how the weekend went <…> Children need to see and feel that you also want to play with them, that you are also genuinely interested in them.”
When asked if this is the last stop in her career, Ieva smiles: “I’m happy with what I have, but I don’t stop learning either.” I participate in various seminars, professional trainings, and I advise others to boldly take advantage of opportunities, dare to participate in social projects”.
2024-07-07 22:13:14