Having someone to guide and support them on the path to employment and personal development can make all the difference in a young person’s career and future. That’s exactly what employment mentors do. They’re not just there to help with job hunting, but also to provide encouragement, support, and inspiration. Through an innovative approach known as social mentoring, employment mentors are helping transform individual lives while strengthening communities and laying the foundation for sustainable youth support systems in Bosnia and Herzegovina.
Adna Kurspahić is currently in the final year of her Master’s degree in Political Science, majoring in State Governance, at the Faculty of Political Sciences in Sarajevo. She also has a Bachelor’s degree in Social Work.
Throughout her studies, Adna has been involved in a range of activities, including volunteer work in humanitarian and educational projects. In her free time, she enjoys being in nature and spending time with her family. For the past four years, she has been an avid hiker and goes on runs occasionally. She describes herself as responsible and motivated, always eager to contribute to team efforts and to continue learning.
Since she is currently looking for a job, Adna joined the social mentoring program, which she recognized as a great opportunity for both personal and professional growth.
“I wanted to gain new knowledge and skills that would help me better position myself in the job market. I also saw the program as a way to build my confidence, develop practical skills, and expand my professional network. As a qualified social worker and political science student, I’m especially drawn to working with people, engaging in social initiatives, and giving back to the community, so this program felt like a natural next step for me,” she explains.
Adna speaks especially highly of her mentor, Sanda Ljukovac, who has been an important source of guidance and support over the past few months.
“Sanda’s dedication, expertise, and openness meant a lot to me, especially when it came to recognizing my own strengths and potential. Thanks to her guidance, and through various exercises, advice, and projects, I had the opportunity to reflect more deeply on what kind of career I want. I became particularly interested in working with people in human resources, where Sanda has built a career. Her practical examples and tools helped me better understand the profession, identify my strengths, and begin steering my development in that direction. From the beginning, we have had open and supportive communication, and I’m truly grateful for the knowledge and encouragement she shared with me,” says Adna.
She describes the mentoring experience as extremely valuable, singling out the workshops as especially practical and inspiring. They gave her the tools to identify her skills and clarify her career goals. She has yet to find a job, but the mentoring process has helped her better understand her professional interests and potential. She feels more focused and motivated to continue developing her skills.
This process also helped her build self-confidence and become more intentional about setting and achieving her goals.
“I became more aware of my abilities, and the support from my mentor really pushed me to be more proactive about my professional development.”
Adna encourages other young people to stay open to participating in different programs and activities, as they can often lead to unexpected opportunities.
“Every project brings something new, whether it’s knowledge, connections, or even friendships. Investing in yourself always pays off, and often brings you one step closer to where you want to be. What matters most is taking that first step, leaving your comfort zone, and being open to learning, exploring, and growing. Today, when so many opportunities are available to us, it’s up to us to recognize and take advantage of them!” is Adna’s message to her peers.
The Institute for Youth Development KULT is a partner in the regional project “Social Inclusion of Disadvantaged Groups in the Western Balkans (SoRi III)”, which is implemented by Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ) GmbH in Bosnia and Herzegovina. The Institute is developing a social mentoring approach for work integration, based on the methodology created by the Association for Research, Communication, and Development PUBLIC from Skopje.
