My journey through youth work by snezana baclija knoch

A short instruction

baclijas — 2020-10-26 20:13:20 UTC

Post your Youth Worker Paths here by following 3 simple steps:
1. Click on a pink "+" button in the bottom right corner
2. Write a title of your Youth Worker Path
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4. Click outside of your Padlet post to save the content

My journey

2020-11-09 08:25:37 UTC

My journey taking different paths

2020-11-11 19:18:42 UTC

Where is all started...

2020-11-13 22:23:56 UTC

While participating in my very first international project for youth in Norway, I realized that I want to become a youth worker. I have learned so much there, that I wanted to bring this experience I to other young people as well!

i was a volunteer when i was 16 in my city, then i started volunteering while i was a student in the university. I got different trainings in my country then started international trainings..

2020-11-14 20:42:40 UTC

now I got the chance to volunteer and share some experiences with my association here in Turin..

I have all my life, from young age wish to be a teacher, to grow up and educate young people.

otiliasofron — 2020-11-17 18:36:27 UTC

MY PROFESSIONAL PATH

2020-11-18 16:15:36 UTC

I started to work with young people by chance, I needed a person to take the place of animator at the Youth Store of S. Pedro Fins, and as I knew everyone living in the social district, I was offered the job. I have been in the store for over 18 years, I have already taken several courses, participated in numerous conferences, work meetings, webinars, etc., but what prepared me most to work with young people was the young people themselves, through trial and error , thousands of hours of conversation and interaction with young people with the most different problems, and I continue to learn every day, working with young people is a continuous learning path, and continues to update on their desires, fears and dreams, and also what is currently in fashion among young people, social networks, mannerisms of speech, music, etc.

I was thinking to be a teacher from very young ages (maybe 3-4 years old). I liked from then to "organize, conduct, teach,..." From the school time I remember me organizing a lot of events for and with my colleagues. Usual I was the "leader" in such activities. And I have continue to be the "leader" for long time working with young people.

otiliasofron — 2020-11-23 13:49:22 UTC

Seeking for Baltjos Jura

2020-11-23 22:49:00 UTC

The first YE I've been YL in was in Latvia(2014), it was about surviving in the forest, we've been left alone on a lake and we had to reach the seaside: Baltijos Jura. I have a much bigger YW path than this in my experience but right now , I can't see the river , I can't see water nor ground: trees and wood are covering everything. This Corona period doesn't allow me to have a clear image of my YW present-future so I'm back to the really strong wish to reach the seaside.

I volunteered during university, then during my professional life, then I decided I would like to be involved more, so I joined an NGO and it proved a wise choice :)

TeacherAlinaTomi — 2020-11-26 09:34:16 UTC

MY PATH

2020-11-28 14:15:44 UTC

Just the beginning, I hope...:)

I love the adventures.

silviaghelesian — 2021-01-14 17:17:15 UTC

In nature, in universe it is an unlimited abundence and we must be ready to receive it. From today, I have all abundence which is around me. I need a truck or a trick to receive it more and more.
Every day is an incredible adventure and full of abundence for everybody.

Connecting the dots

2021-02-21 15:21:42 UTC

It all started 13 years ago, when I became a teacher in a new school. My chance was to collaborate during the first 2 years with American Peace Corps volunteers and was assigned their mentor. So, I was involved in, coordinated and developed all the informal activities and projects proposed by them. Later on, I started developing projects on my own and got involved in projects at a national and European level. Five years ago I was assigned as a mentor for a group of young volunteers from Europe whom I totally support in their projects. Then I got my trainer diploma and the previous activities reached a new level. I am involved in activities dealing with: theatre, debate, personal development, environment protection, civics, human rights, inclusion. The training I received as a teacher created a strong basis for my youth worker activity. During all these years I took part in different courses both online and offline. I am eager to continuously improve my skills in this field and initiate as many growth contexts as possible for young people
.

It all started in Georgia

2021-05-23 12:06:45 UTC

It all started in Georgia, at my very first Erasmus+ training. The path continued from there, from training course to training course, to becoming a youth worker myself.

Hello :)

2021-09-10 18:19:48 UTC

When I was in 3rd grade at university I started to interest Erasmus+ project. When I was in senior year I participated in my first Erasmus+ Youth exchange program in Spain. It was really nice and great opportunity to start my Erasmus journey. After I graduated I went to Estonia for my EVS project. I worked in a kindergarten for almost a year. After Estonia. I participated in lots of projects as a volunteer. Thanks in advance.

My YW journey

2022-04-05 12:23:13 UTC

My first contact with youth work was through volunteering in a children's hospital pediatric department, as a student who was studying to become a teacher. We would read kids stories and help them with homework and catching up with school. Towards the end of my studies, I wanted to go on Erasmus but because of certain rules in my department, that didn't happen. However, I still wanted to feel that international spirit, and I ended up joining Erasmus Student Network. I have been a member for seven years now, and I held different positions on local, national and international level. In 2019, I went on EVS and extending my stay in the organisation's headquarters in Brussels as a paid youth worker and for the last three years, together with a colleague, I have been building a project focused on validation and recognition of youth work. Currently, I am Liaison Officer for youth work, skills and volunteering.

PROFESSIONIST OR VOLUNTEER?

2022-05-23 16:34:54 UTC

I guess I started being a youth worker as I became a scout leader 6 years ago. That was also the time I was studying for my BA in Social Education. In my mind what I was studying was the theory to my scout leading practice. But was it really? I don't know.
Last year I spent a semester in Denmark and it was then that I discovered youth work as a field. Since then I have been asking myself whether I am a youth worker, if I have the necessary skills and how can I work professionally as one in Italy. It doesn't seem like there are many opportunities. But maybe I am wrong and I just don't know where to look.

Giving sense to my ideas

2022-07-11 16:13:08 UTC

I've always loved being around kids and during my (short) life I have volunteered/worked in many occasions as an animator and I always enjoyed it, a lot. But in High School surprisingly I didn't chose a path involving kids or teaching...but now I see how everything has its own time. After my graduation I have then by chance found out about a profession called Professional Educator in Italy and I enrolled in university to study for it. Now I have graduate almost a year ago and thanks to my studies I decided that my main focus will be kids. But I never knew how to transform my ideas, interests and goals in an actual specific job! Now I am in a beautiful project thanks to the ESC and I discovered that youth work is what I was looking for and, right now, looking forward.

How did I land in youth work - Francisco, Spain.

2022-07-20 16:07:11 UTC

Well, I was a posh and happy flight attendant, usually we stoped working for 2 months in winter due to low flights period, so I was bored and joined a training to be a leisure animator. Then I joined a team that was preparing a youth exchange project as a participant and it was my last call to join a project cos I was inmy 30's. So I enjoyed a lot that Erasmus+ project that I tried to work in a youth house for some months, and I lovedit... then I applied for an out of work time to my airline, ... and the rest is my history about leaving a well paid work for empy minds to join a bad paid vocation that refuels my mind day by day.
So after becoming a youth animator, I joined 2 new non formal education trainings to be a Youth leader (so I could be leader of camps...) and Youth Informer which opened my eyes to youth work. In Spain there isn't a formal job called Youth worker.
I have been ruling the Youth house in my village for 16 years. during this period I have joined many non formal learning trainings from governments, private, Saltoh, Erasmus+, etc...
Nowdays I'm still training myslef to get new skills and updating the quality of whatever I can offer.
But as a bad student in my youth and the need to work to help at our home economy I quited my student curriculum and I didnt joined any university. So now days amb figthing to certificate all my Non-formal learning to formal in my CV. because in my country they are still focused in old style certification of learning and capacities.
But I¡ve found my vocation I love my job and I would like to empower the quality of whatever I can offer.

it all started with an adventure in Germany

2022-08-01 09:10:32 UTC

_{By participating in my first European volunteering project in Germany, I realized that I wanted to work for people and with people.
I started working in the school supporting the process of scholastic and social integration of children and young people with disabilities.
I continued to work with young people by developing and planning more informal learning and integration projects in the area.
it is a very stimulating job, never boring and full of challenges.}

My mission

margaridaflorencia — 2022-11-11 16:05:18 UTC

I started to work with young disability people in 2003. I feel good when I contribute to exchanges that help enrich the skills of our trainees with disabilities.

The Star

nuno_v_florencia — 2022-11-12 00:20:31 UTC

One day i’ll be like you.

Parvina, Tajikistan

2022-11-27 16:09:22 UTC

My path as a youth-worker was difficult enough. I tarted teaching at the university at the age of 27. Before I had worked at a secondary school and realized that it was not my piece of cake, I simply did not grow as a teacher. So, at the university I looked quite young and did not differ much from my students. Gaining my students' respect was a challenging task but it motivated me to work hard. I was determined to prove myself and others that I was strong and would not surrender. I attended various courses due to which I improved my English and broadened my worldview. I realized that I became a successful youth worker and a teacher when an anonymous survey among students showed that most of the students gave positive commentaries about my methods and approaches as a teacher. I am also proud to be respected by others wherever I go because teachers profession is considered to be noble in my country. Now, I understand that all my efforts were not in vain and I do not regret any moment of my career as a youth worker because they led me to the person I am now.

My path

2022-11-28 22:31:45 UTC

My path started when I noticed the life of Jesus, my bigest inspiration. He was a revolutionary. He changed the world through love and made the same with my life. I was a person that felted injusticed all the time and when I felt loved once (by Jesus) I just wanted everyone to feel the same. And that's where I started.

My journey as a youth activist

yahyamovies — 2022-12-20 15:12:32 UTC

Tradition in Burundi, has a selected highly estimated people that are chosen to be youth coordinator's and youth workers.
I have had to decide how I am going to organize youth that might more intelligent as me , I was trained in Europe, worked in Europe and I ended in a very conservative environment where people still think like in 16th century
Martial world, have had to decide and my choice was educate via sports and not any sports Rugby

My journey on the big hot air balloon

2023-05-13 21:50:15 UTC

For starters my big hot air balloon for the longest while was out of touch with reality to the point where the clouds distorted my view of the Earth.
I grew up in a community where real life struggles were covered up and erased. Having spent most of my years of education in a private institution, staying grounded was really hard. But I always tried my best to stay informed and on top of social issues. When I transferred to a normal public school at the start of highschool I realised that I had only scratched the surface by being part of an informed audience. I became acquainted with people that were living through what I had only ever heard.
So then came the big challenge of learning to act and not only hear. Taking part in changing not only supporting it. I started from being active in my school's student body council to attending trainings then to organizing and leading them. That's how I became part of a peer-to-peer education network and began my journey as a youth worker.

Self-exploration

2023-06-14 06:36:31 UTC

a.Opted social work in Bachelors, out of interest to learn societal dynamics and theories. This decision changed me in thinking, doing volunteering activities and increase in self-esteem.
b. Doing internship (skill training center, cancer hospital, counseling centers, schools, colleges, poorer communities and research centers) made me an proactive person such that understanding roles (mobilizer, presenter, documenter) and making contributions.
c. Preparing for a fellowship test and securing it, securing a PhD seat in reputed university, traveling alone, applying myself and siblings for bank account, passport, voter identity card, income tax card, and ethnicity certificate proved my worth. Got inspired to assist others in improving self-worth of others.
d. Attending webinars of UN and WHO. Participating in conferences, pre-PhD submissions, and debates about social issues is maturing my thinking about possible solutions.
e. Choosing youth development as a research topic, out of personal interest enhanced my passion towards doing the inquiry for testing a evidence informative model.

My youth work parth

2023-09-10 11:26:57 UTC

I got familiat with youth work within one of the youth integration program. I were volunteer as a teenager in this program for 3 years and after that I followed youth work path slowly.

JORGE ROSELLÓ

2024-02-02 12:02:07 UTC

Mis inicios profesionales como animador juvenil se remontan a los 18 años. Durante 20 años dirigí una entidad de elaboración y diseño de proyectos educativos. Actualmente trabajo como técnico de juventud aplicando mi experiencia adquirida en 20 años de profesión.

My Path

2025-01-05 17:59:52 UTC

I am struggling to fully describe my experience as a youth worker. I have volunteered sporadically through the years and interned at a school for young boys that had been excluded from mainstream settings due to their behaviour. I have a bachelor's and master's in education but none of those experiences have shaped me in being a better youth worker. I think my youth work path has not yet started, and that is why I want to be here. I am so impressed by all of the stories being told in this forum. I am proud to be entering this community and although I feel slightly embarrassed and intimidated by all of the experience, I am still eager to learn from everyone.

How it started

2025-02-14 14:47:18 UTC

I became an educator shortly after university and started travelling around the world with my students and that's where I begin to understand and wanted to know more about Youth Work

My youth worker path

2025-03-25 15:39:14 UTC

2025-05-08 11:44:45 UTC

In 2015, at the age of 21, I had my first encounter with a small but promising organization in my area called Propósito Inadiável. A friend invited me to join a project in Romania. She explained everything she could about the project, but to be honest, I couldn’t fully grasp what it was truly about. Despite the uncertainty, it sounded like a challenge — and a fascinating one — so I decided to go. That decision turned out to be life-changing. Through that project, I was introduced to a whole new world — a world of international cooperation, cultural exchange, and transformative experiences. I was captivated by the opportunity to connect with people from different backgrounds, learn about diverse cultures, and witness firsthand how education and non-formal learning could open doors and change lives. I realized that this was a world I wanted to be a part of. After that first project, I immersed myself deeper into the organization. I took on more projects, learned more about the work we were doing, and gradually became an integral part of the team. Eventually, I was invited to officially join Propósito Inadiável, and since then, it has been the most fulfilling chapter of my life. Today, I work with young people, many from disadvantaged backgrounds, helping them access the same life-changing opportunities I once had. Through education, training, and international projects, we empower them to explore new realities, broaden their horizons, and bring those experiences back to our local community. We also bring international participants to our town, fostering cultural exchange and contributing to the city’s social and economic vitality. What started as a single, uncertain step into the unknown has evolved into a passion and a purpose that continues to inspire me every day.

My Volunteering Career!

2025-05-15 17:09:48 UTC

My first Volunteering was in Morocco with a local Youth club, I have learned a lot, and helped people around me, That make me feel so much proud and strong!!!!

I was also doing virtual Volunteering as coordinator! and I discover so much things about team work and the helpful things!!

I hope to be active volunteer in my future path!! Thank you a lot.

My Path

2025-11-01 06:17:02 UTC

My path toward youth work began in the classroom, surrounded by energetic students who constantly reminded me that education is about much more than grammar and textbooks. Over the years, I realized that what truly inspired me was helping young people find their voice, gain confidence, and see the world with curiosity and empathy. As a teacher, I often became not only an educator but also a listener, mentor, and occasional comedian trying to keep spirits high.

Joining Erasmus+ projects was a turning point — I discovered the world of non-formal education and met inspiring youth workers who showed me how learning can be creative, inclusive, and truly transformative. Each project, conversation, and training has brought me closer to my vision: to bridge formal education with youth work and create spaces where young people can learn, connect, and grow freely.

Ukraine-the World-Ukraine

2026-04-29 09:39:09 UTC

I decided to count my official youth worker from 2015 when I was elected as the CEO of a student NGO in Ukraine, and became an official team lead of a fantastic group of people who were doing the biggest youth festival in the region. At that time, I didn't identify myself as youth worker, as I wasn't familiar with the terminology and definition of this profession.

In 2013, I began attending Erasmus+ activities and opened myself up to the international realm of non-formal education. Macedonia, Georgia, Armenia. So many inspirational leaders - Zlatko, Vova, Tigranuhi.

In 2017, I went on my EVS in Germany, and that experience was transformational for me from a personal and professional point of view. Markus, my mentor and fantastically inspiring person, motivated me to explore MOOC courses to learn more about the Erasmus+ system, introduced me to the partner CSOs.

Since then, there have been so many countries and projects - offline and online, in the EU and outside (United Arab Emirates).

And it all shaped me into the person I am now. In 2023, I decided to go back to Ukraine and support my country in times of full-scale invasion of the Russian Federation into Ukraine. Together with the team, we are creating an enabling environment for young people and youth workers to develop themselves amid war and uncertainty, to take part in policymaking, to join the recovery effort, and to be responsible civic activists.