Kyle and Lizzy: Lizzy's Career Fair

Lizzy as master of ceremonies in traditional mayan dress

In rural Guatemala where the majority of the population possesses only an elementary school education, it is uncommon for most students to continue studying after middle school. By supporting youth to understand their potential as well as providing them with pertinent information involving their educational options, I hope to start building bridges between local needs and available resources, filling the gaps within the educational system.

A view of the town hall filled with the students from neighboring communities

For a period of two months, myself, along with my husband who is also a Youth Development PCV, taught mini career workshops to youth who are about to finish their last year of middle school (9^th grade). The workshops ranged from exploring existing careers, to the personality types each student has (based on a Myers-Briggs test) to creating a resume and looking for a job. These workshops were taught with the end goal of holding a career fair for the students in which they could speak directly with local professionals and hear first hand experiences, receive information about study options for the following year including registration information as well as scholarship opportunities.

Luis Macario, a representative from the Ministry of Education

With the help of 6 representatives from the Ministry of Education, 2 representatives from a prominent technical school, 4 local professionals, 20 teachers and the support of the local parents group and town council, we successfully trained 215 students from 6 neighboring villages. In addition, the local cable station supported the event by filming each area and repeatedly broadcasting it so that the information could be shared with parents and students from other institutions and towns.

Tilo, our landlord and best English teacher in town talking with a group of students in a break out session

I am hopeful that this event will be the first of many and will be replicated so as to sustain the support of further education for these rural youth.

At the end of the event, not only did I receive compliments on how effective the fair had been, but I was also encouraged to continue wearing the typical Mayan dress on a daily basis!