For the past 10 years the Junior Chamber of Stuttgart has been voluntarily involved with the “Steps to Success” program. With job application, etiquette and motivational training, advice on money management or the creation of job application photos, the young leaders want to support the students to allow them better opportunities in the job market.
“The project is simply fantastic,” says Carla Gulde, a teacher from Filderschule Degerloch. “We’ve participated in the ‘Steps to Success’ project for years, so the students know what to expect and look forward to the training sessions. And the great thing is: The students really internalize the tips and advice from the experts. Thanks to this program they are successful in the search for an apprenticeship, or continue on to higher education after graduation. For us that’s a big success.”
“Kolja Isijanov from the Junior Chamber really helped me. Thanks to his support I have a lot of internship opportunities and found out what I want to do and what type of career will be fun for me,” says Denis Gusani, a student from the GHS Stammheim and participant in “Steps to Success” 2010. “After my completion of school this Fall I will start an apprenticeship as a painter, which I’m really looking forward to. Without Kolja’s help I probably wouldn’t have accomplished that. Meanwhile, he’s also become a true friend of mine that I can always call if I have any problems or questions.”
“The ‘Steps to Success’ project is a great cause. The greatest thing is that it’s not teachers, rather external people upholding a commitment to the students. So for the students it carries a different weight: they take it seriously and value it,” explains Helga Schneeberger, the principal of Reisachschule Weilimdorf. “Such an exchange with people from the work world is very beneficial. The students learn what companies are looking for and establish their first contacts. It’s great! I hope this project continues for many years to come.”
Over 225 students from 13 classes took part in this year’s “Steps to Success” program offered by the Junior Chamber. The students came from seven secondary schools around the Stuttgart region: Elise von König Schule Stuttgart-Münster, Falkertschule Stuttgart-West, Filderschule Degerloch, GHS Stuttgart-Stammheim, Lerchenrainschule Stuttgart-Süd, Österfeldschule Stuttgart-Vaihingen, Reisachschule Weilimdorf and the Uhlandschule Stuttgart-Rot.
For more information visit: www.wj-stuttgart.de.