Specialised youth worker

Briefly explain what you do for a living.

I work as a specialised youth worker for the City of Loviisa. One of my tasks is to work as a JOPO class assistant at schools. JOPO stands for flexible basic education, which is aimed at students facing challenges with completing their basic education and moving on to further studies. Their studies involve a lesser degree of theory and more practical on-the-job learning periods as well as camp activities taking place outside the classroom. I also provide children and young people with adventure activities in the form of clubs and camps as well as events jointly with other employees of the city well-being services. I also act as a chief shop steward and industrial safety delegate.

How have you ended up in the profession of your choice?

When I was young, I did sports and worked for a while as the executive manager of my sports club. Already back then, I enjoyed working with children and young people. I contemplated the care industry or physiotherapy as career options but, in the end, I completed the leisure time instructor training.

Describe your typical working day or week.

My normal work day entails office work, preparing for instruction work and working as a club instructor. At the start of the day, I take a look at my calendar and check my emails. Then I normally attend a meeting or prepare for my clubs, for example, by finding the necessary equipment. In addition to working as a club instructor, I may do a workplace visit in my role as the industrial safety delegate.

What kind of work environment or working hours do you have?

I work at the office, in schools, outdoors and in many other locations, such as the storage to maintain equipment. In this job, you are occasionally able to work remotely.

As a rule, I work from 8 to 4. However, during camps that last several days, I work around the clock.

What kind of competence or qualities are required in the profession?

As a youth worker, you need to be flexible because changes happen constantly. You also have to be good with children and young people. You need to be able to understand their point of view and different life situations. To achieve that, you have to be a good listener and accessible. When it comes to youth work, municipalities rarely have ready-made operating models so you are also required to be creative, proactive and able to make decisions independently.

What is the best thing about your profession?

The best thing is when you get positive feedback regarding the clubs and camps that you have organised. Young people don’t normally say thanks at the end of the event but they may have fond memories of nice experiences for a long time. I also often receive thanks from parents.

What are the downsides of the profession or what seems challenging?

Youth work receives a lot of praise in keynote speeches, but when it comes to municipal decision-making, the appreciation is not always obvious, for example, in terms of the resources granted. Even though there is a statutory obligation to organise youth activities, their contents are not specified, which results in different interpretations and policies.

What would you tell a person considering the profession of a youth worker?

In your work, don’t be shy to lean on your strengths. Personally, I like outdoor exercise so I have invested in adventure education and designed activities around it. Youth work needs people with different skill sets and, in this field, there are many different things you can specialise in.

How do you see the future of your profession?

Digitalisation has changed youth work and the tools available to us. The change is also evident in the language and vocabulary used by the youth. That said, the future is secure in the sense that humans are hard to replace in this job.