Youth work as a profession
Youth workers are contact persons, initiators, listeners and so much more… Qualified specialists are needed for these diverse and demanding tasks. These are usually professionally trained specialists such as qualified social workers, social pedagogues and educators. and educators.
Chances
Child and youth work offers favorable conditions and structures for starting a career:
- collectively agreed pay, training and further education opportunities
- a secure field of work with good career opportunities in management positions (facilities, projects)
- Teamwork with different professions (education, culture, technology, administration, etc.)
Scope
As an employee in child and youth work, you will have a wide range of scope and opportunities:
- a varied field with plenty of room for individual and professional development
- a wide range of services and plenty of freedom to shape your personal working environment
- dynamic, creative and inspiring target groups (children, young people and colleagues from different professional groups)
- Helping to shape social spaces and a wide range of cooperation opportunities (schools, clubs, cultural institutions, industry and trade, etc.)
- Political advocacy with and for young people
Strengths
There is no one-size-fits-all perfect employee in child and youth work. What makes this field of work so special is the diversity of the people who work in it full-time. Your personality is important for youth work! You should bring:
- A desire to work with people, especially children and young people
- Openness to the diverse ideas and concerns of visitors An interest in and understanding of the social and cultural diversity of young people
- Creative potential, spontaneity and your own ideas Willingness to engage with the children and young people as a person of reference and trust
- Sociability, reliability and a willingness to learn Ability to work in a team and flexibility
- Enjoy planning and organization