Global Career Discovery Initiative: Preparing young people for the future of work
At Junior Achievement Americas, we are driving the Global Career Discovery Initiative, a global project implemented in partnership with SAP to support young people in building their future careers.
Through vocational guidance, employability skills development, and exposure to high-demand career paths, we aim to help more young people make informed decisions about their life projects and their integration into the world of work.
The initiative is being implemented in Argentina, Brazil, Canada, Chile, Colombia, Mexico, and Peru, and is aimed at young people between the ages of 17 and 24. Our goal is to promote inclusion and diversity in access to educational and employment opportunities, especially in sectors linked to technological innovation, where there are significant opportunities today but also strong access gaps.
Guiding Purpose, Building Employability
Throughout the program, we support participants through a range of learning experiences that help them gain clarity, confidence, and key skills for their future careers. Young people complete a gamified psychometric assessment developed by Nawaiam, which invites them to test their decision-making in a dynamic and interactive environment, discovering strengths, talents, and areas for improvement. Gamification offers a different way of approaching an assessment, creating a more engaging experience and a positive response that encourages self-awareness and personal reflection.
The use of psychometric assessments and spaces for personal reflection is essential for young people to recognize themselves, identify opportunities, and begin building an educational and career path with greater purpose. These experiences provide practical tools to navigate both higher education and their future entry into the labor market.
The value of corporate volunteering and real-world experience
A central pillar of the Global Career Discovery Initiative is the support of SAP mentors and volunteers, who share their professional journeys, learnings, and perspectives on strategic areas such as technology, artificial intelligence, and digital skills. This direct exchange with industry professionals allows young people to broaden their horizons, learn about different roles and career paths, and gain a better understanding of how the world of work operates.
“The program gives them a first glimpse into what the world of work is like, not only because they come to the office and meet the people who are working there, but also because they get to know a bit about each person’s experiences and what they will be facing in the coming years,” says María, a SAP volunteer in Argentina.
“It is a very enriching program that arrives at the right time for these young people who are at the beginning of their life and work journeys, and who will experience career growth—whether horizontal or vertical—in today’s fast-paced career paths. It was a very valuable experience,” adds Eliezio, SAP volunteer in São Paulo.
Young people building their future
Since its implementation, the Global Career Discovery Initiative has reached thousands of young people across the region, with more than 8,290 graduates, the participation of 145 volunteers, over 5,930 young people involved in volunteering activities, and more than 2,300 psychometric assessments completed. These results reflect our commitment to creating real and sustained impact, supporting young people at a key moment in their personal and professional development.
“This project is making a big difference in my life; it motivated me to work harder in my studies and to keep learning,” says Beatriz, a student from Rio Grande do Sul.
From Peru, Yire shares: “Before the program, I didn’t know which path to take. This experience allowed me to start recognizing my qualities, strengths, and opportunities.”
Along the same lines, Sofía Poveda Farman, a student from Colombia, highlights: “I gained valuable learning and great tools to plan my future and develop myself as a person.”
From the education sector, Maristela, a school principal in Rio Grande do Sul, notes: “Our students are having the opportunity to experience school through knowledge and real-life experiences, with the scientific knowledge that is part of the school’s role, but above all, to experience school beyond its walls. That is what Junior Achievement and SAP were able to bring closer to our students.”
These testimonials reflect how vocational guidance, self-awareness, and exposure to the world of work can generate meaningful change in how young people see themselves and envision their future.
Through strategic partnerships and meaningful experiences, we continue working to ensure that more young people can access employability tools, discover their talents, and build a future career with greater confidence and opportunities.
