By Heather White | Project Leader
In Guatemala, big decisions are made at a young age. As middle school scholars prepare for high school, they must decide on the career path they wish to pursue. Here at Limitless Horizons Ixil, we ensure that our scholars have all the relevant information to make these choices.
As part of our Youth Development Program, our Managing and Assistant Directors, Verónica and Zuli, recently offered a series of workshops which provoked a lively conversation about our scholars’ current goals and future aspirations. Zuli began the day with a group meditation; the scholars sat with eyes closed and were asked to imagine their lives at twenty-one years old. For many participants, this was the first time they had been given the space to imagine a future of exciting possibilities.
Energized from this experience, scholars created a list of subjects available to study in high school. As scholars named different options, Vero and Zuli wrote each out on large paper and discussed them one-by-one. In small groups, the scholars then pursued their own research on three different career paths which they later presented to the whole group.
Scholar Ana reflected that “before the career workshops I didn’t know what I could study in high school. Now I have a lot of ideas. I’m thinking of studying science and humanities so that I can go to college.”
At Limitless Horizons Ixil we work to tailor our programs to the needs and desires of our scholars, while also looking for input from recent graduates who are pursuing careers in the community. The final workshop of the series involved eight of our alumni and staff who had all studied the subjects or careers mentioned by our middle school scholars, such as administration, education, agronomy, medicine, and accounting, amongst others. They were invited to act as panelists and discuss their experiences preparing for and embarking upon their careers.
While facilitating career exploration for our middle school scholars, six of our high school scholars also joined local partner organization, Philanthropiece, for their annual career panel. Panelists, including Limitless Horizons Ixil alumni, spoke about their university-level studies, in fields such as nursing, social work, and business administration. After the event, some of our high school scholars stayed behind to talk with the panelists and hear more about their academic and professional trajectory. In both the career panel and the middle school workshops, we were proud to see LHI alumni panelists confidently sharing their knowledge with the younger generation.
We are passionate about providing opportunities for youth in Chajul to imagine the limitless horizons of their futures. Through providing a network of support, we ensure that scholars are in the best place to make decisions and pursue their goals.
Both career panels allowed scholars to picture themselves following in the footsteps of older peers, who are achieving their academic and professional dreams. We are excited to see the direction that our middle and high school scholars will take their education. With LHI’s long-term support in youth and career development, our scholars are better able to turn their aspirations into realities.
By Leslie Meyer | Development and Communications Specialist
By Leslie Meyer | Development and Communications Specialist
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