Mediation Skills in Career Counseling: Experience of Working with Veterans
In practice, career counseling often goes beyond standard job market guidance. It is прежде всего an honest conversation in which a person tries to rebuild themselves, understand what they can rely on, and determine their next steps.
It is in such conversations that the value of mediation skills becomes especially evident.
Training for Veterans
Trainers of the Ukrainian Academy of Mediation, Iryna Dotsenko and Oksana Yaremko, conducted a training session for veterans as part of the “Career Consultant” course implemented by the Reskilling Ukraine program.
During the training, participants explored how mediation skills can be integrated into the daily practice of a career consultant. In particular, the focus was on: maintaining the focus of a conversation asking questions that support development providing support without judging previous experience
Special attention was given to creating a space in which a person can independently find their own solutions.
The Role of a Career Consultant: Beyond Career Guidance
During the process, it becomes clear that the role of a career consultant is much broader than simply navigating the labor market.
It involves working with: uncertainty doubts internal changes
This is where mediation offers a valuable perspective — being present with a person in their process and supporting them on the path to their own decisions.
Mediation as a Tool for Strengthening Professional Practice
Mediation approaches are effective across different fields and enhance the professional skills of those who work with people.
The Ukrainian Academy of Mediation continues to share this experience and values the opportunity to work with veterans, supporting them in their professional development.
The initiative was implemented by the Ukrainian Academy of Mediation within the project “CONSENT: Increasing the Role of Alternative Dispute Resolution in Ukraine with a Focus on Mediation”, with the financial support of the European Union.