Career guidance often feels like a real maze for young people of immigrant backgrounds in Belgium.
In the Liège region, the association DUO for a JOB offers personalized support by connecting young people looking for opportunities with experienced volunteers.
The story of Fares and Alain perfectly demonstrates that with a patient and attentive partner, you can always find your way forward.
A future engineer in the dark
When he began his search, Fares knew he wanted to work in electrical engineering, but his plans were not yet well defined. He quickly ran into difficulty identifying the right opportunities.
Without a clear vision of his strengths and weaknesses, he lacked the independence to move forward effectively.
Convinced that supportive guidance is the key to structuring his future, he turned to DUO for a JOB to find the direction he was missing.
Alain, a mentor facing the challenge of career guidance
The association's coordination team introduced him to Alain, a volunteer mentor. The pair quickly got to work, with one unique feature: their sessions were conducted primarily in English, a great example of the diversity of support we offer!
I want to contribute to a better world
But the challenge was significant: he needed to help the young man clarify his goals from a multitude of possibilities. Together, they explored numerous paths and made use of the DUO toolkit: creating a photo-CV, using the resource platform, and, most importantly, conducting mock job interviews in English. The pair covered all bases, with Fares even taking the opportunity to prepare for his theory driving test.
➡️ More info on our mission here.
The University of Liège as a fresh start
The pair made progress and clarified every step of the career plan.
I know what direction to take now
Their combined efforts led to a wonderful victory: Fares is now completing the final stages of his enrollment for a Master's in Engineering at the University of Liège! Mission accomplished in terms of career guidance, but also on a personal level. Should Fares need to explore another path, whether through an internship or additional training, he now has all the tools he needs.
"At the start of the mentorship, my plan wasn't clear yet. Thanks to Alain's patient and attentive support, I learned to better identify my strengths and weaknesses. I’ve gained independence, I know what direction to take now, and I feel ready to move forward with confidence!"
– Fares, mentee.
Since 2013, DUO for a JOB has been connecting young people from immigrant backgrounds with experienced volunteer mentors over the age of 50. For six months, they work together toward a concrete goal: sustainable integration into the job market. Job coaching is 100% free in Liège, Verviers, Charleroi, and Brussels... and for volunteers, a 4-day training program is provided.
Want to learn more about DUO for a JOB? Check out our FAQ here to become a volunteer mentor or find a job!
.png)
