Romania
participants
This initiative was designed to support the career readiness of Erasmus students, local students, and the local community. This program aligns directly with the Erasmus Careers project’s mission of bridging the gap between education and employment by connecting skills gained during mobility with meaningful career development opportunities.
The primary goal of the Skills & Employability Corner was to empower participants with essential tools, knowledge, and confidence to navigate the job market successfully. By offering practical workshops and interactive experiences, the program aimed to improve employability skills, foster networking, and support career planning.
The Skills & Employability Corner achieved its goals through the following specific objectives:
- Recognizing and Articulating Skills:
- -Helped participants identify and communicate the transferable skills gained from their Erasmus and local experiences.
- -Built confidence and improved participants’ job market readiness by enhancing their ability to showcase their competencies effectively.
- Developing Core Employability Skills:
- Delivered specialized workshops focused on key career skills:
- -How to Write Your CV: Guided crafting a professional and impactful resume.
- -Employability in the EU: Offered insights on leveraging opportunities within the European job market.
- -How to “Mess Up” Your Interview: Delivered an innovative workshop that taught effective interview techniques by learning from common mistakes.
- -Everything About Being Employed: Gave practical advice on navigating workplace culture, understanding contracts, and managing employment expectations.
- Supporting Career Planning:
- -Encouraged participants to engage in strategic career planning by connecting their unique experiences to future professional opportunities.
- -Provided resources and guidance for participants to map out their career paths effectively.
- Promoting Networking and Community Engagement:
- -Created an inclusive and interactive environment that fostered dialogue between students, experts, and the local community.
- -Facilitated learning from each other and the establishment of professional connections through interactive employability-focused activities.
- This activity supported the broader objectives of the Erasmus Careers project by ensuring that competencies developed through mobility were directly linked to career advancement. It provided new creative workshops and tools that addressed the diverse needs of participants, enabling them to transition smoothly from education to employment.
The Skills & Employability Corner offered a dynamic and interactive space designed to invest participants with practical knowledge and tools for career advancement. Through a series of engaging workshops, thematic corners, and resource-sharing opportunities, the corner addressed key aspects of employability in a supportive and collaborative environment.
Workshops
- Craft Your CV: Stand Out on Paper
- Trainer: Codrin Hărățu, ESN Buddy Coordinator and Bosch employee, brought his extensive experience in crafting impactful resumes.
- What Happened: Participants learned the essentials of creating a standout CV tailored to job market expectations. The workshop included a live demonstration of CV formatting and content organization. A debate on common CV mistakes and strategies to overcome them added depth to the session.
- How to "Mess Up" Your Interview
- Trainer: Bogdan Constantinopol, an accomplished businessman, entrepreneur, and engineer with international project experience in the construction and electrical fields.
- What Happened: This workshop took a humorous and engaging approach, focusing on common interview mistakes and how to avoid them. Participants role-played mock interviews, with Bogdan providing constructive feedback on their performance. The session emphasized body language, effective communication, and handling challenging questions. Group discussions encouraged participants to share their own experiences and learn from one another.
- Career Kickstart: Get Hired and Thrive
- Trainer: Bogdan Constantinopol
- What Happened: In this session, participants explored strategies for building a strong personal brand, networking effectively, and adapting to workplace cultures. Bogdan shared insights from his diverse career, emphasizing the skills and mindset needed to thrive in various professional environments. Interactive exercises included team-based problem-solving tasks and a brainstorming session on career aspirations.
- Unlocking EU Opportunities
- Trainer: Mădălina Cotiu, Network Advisor at Enterprise Europe Network
- What Happened: This workshop focused on accessing opportunities within the European Union, including internships, scholarships, and job openings. Mădălina provided detailed guidance on navigating EU resources and platforms. Participants engaged in group tasks such as creating action plans for applying to EU programs. A discussion session allowed attendees to clarify doubts and gain insights into leveraging their Erasmus experiences for EU career opportunities.
Workshop Methods and Materials
- Interactive Workshops: Each session used a combination of live demonstrations, and hands-on exercises. Trainers utilized flipcharts, sticky notes, and pens for collaborative tasks, creating an engaging and participatory learning experience.
- Mock Interviews and Feedback: Participants practised real-world scenarios, such as job interviews, and received immediate, constructive feedback to refine their skills.
- Group Discussions and Debates: Open forums encouraged free discussion, allowing participants to share personal experiences and learn from each other’s perspectives.
Thematic Corners
In addition to the workshops, thematic corners acted as informal learning spaces. Dedicated to ESN causes such as Employability & Skills, these corners were set up in tents and equipped with flipcharts for collaborative activities. Blankets provided comfortable seating, fostering an inclusive and welcoming atmosphere.
These corners allowed participants to:
- Connect with experts for one-on-one guidance.
- Access resources such as CV templates and interview guides.
- Share experiences and engage in peer learning.
Resource Sharing
To complement the workshops, a variety of resources were made available:
- Digital Resources: QR codes displayed throughout the event provided access to downloadable CV templates, interview guides, and practical checklists.
- Sustainable Materials: Essential handouts were printed on a ream of paper, and used sustainably to minimize environmental impact.
This activity is part of the project:
Erasmus Careers