The goal of CAREer – Take CARE of your CAREer was to increase the professional and personal satisfaction of young adults between 25 and 30 by offering them tools to reflect on their career path, recognize their needs, and build a more authentic career. The project promoted the sharing of best practices in career coaching, effective communication, and youth engagement between three European organizations, developing a common approach based on well-being, awareness, and inclusion. Through a two-phase training program, youth workers working with project partner organizations acquired practical and methodological skills to support young people in their personal and professional growth. The main outcome was the creation of the CAREer Diary, a self-reflection tool that integrates guiding questions, mindfulness exercises, local support contacts, and training suggestions. The diary was tested and disseminated locally and internationally, becoming an accessible resource for those wishing to improve their job satisfaction. Furthermore, CAREer strengthened transnational cooperation between youth organizations.
Take CARE of your CareER was born from listening to colleagues, friends, and young adults expressing dissatisfaction and uncertainty about their professional lives, many of whom were NEET. As youth workers, we had repeatedly attempted to involve them in local and Erasmus+ activities, but many lacked the opportunity, motivation, or awareness to participate. From this reflection, the idea of creating a CAREer Diary was born, a personal and accessible space for reflecting on career, values, and well-being. The diary contains guiding questions, mindfulness practices, and local support contacts. International research conducted by partner organizations has confirmed the widespread needs related to work-life balance, fulfillment, and mental health. CAREer addressed these needs with a transnational approach, offering partners an opportunity for growth and contributing to the EU objective of promoting awareness, autonomy, and career satisfaction among young people, with a particular focus on NEETs.