Go to the Future: Paving Ways For Youth’s Dream Career
‘World Youth Skills Day’ was established to raise awareness about the importance of youth development and to empower young people to become change agents in society. It aims to increase learning opportunities for crucial life and career skills.
In light of this day, Teach For Thailand presents the story of the “Go to the Future” club, led by ‘Kru Phone’ – Sophee Thammawong, a Teaching Fellow from cohort 9, and ‘Kru Natty’ –Sirilak Khamlue, from Nongyai Siriworawat Wittaya School in Chonburi. The club provides career consultation and inspiration, as well as essential skills like communication, critical thinking, and collaboration. It advocates for equitable access to quality education and aims to enhance youths’ lives.
According to Kru Phone, the club was founded from a simple question she asked her students. “We would sometimes ask them, ‘What do you want to do when you grow up?’ Most of the time, our students don’t know their options in the current job market. Some lack a goal in life and therefore disengage from learning at school as the content seems irrelevant.”
Kru First, Settawut Sittipong, a Teaching Fellow from cohort 10 who supports the club, shared his thoughts: “From my experience, students often lack an academic foundation, and many come from broken homes – we still have a long way to go. But Go to the Future is already helping fill many of these gaps.”
“I realized that lack of resources, family situations, and limited knowledge contribute to their limited access to information about career options. Some students may have untapped potential that can be developed. So we started the Go to the Future club,” Kru Phone explained.
Initially, the Fellows and teachers would invite speakers from various career fields to talk about their jobs, necessary skills, and related higher education fields. They also answer students’ questions. The club records these activities and shares them on their Facebook page, “Go to the Future,” extending learning to other students and youths outside the school.
“We were initially worried about the club’s sustainability, but it has been well received. Go to the Future has opened many options for our students. Their responses to ‘What do you want to do when you grow up?’ are now much more varied,” reflected Kru Phone.
Kru Natty agreed: “I am very glad to be part of this club. Our students are now more aware of job opportunities, which gives them goals to pursue and motivates them to focus on their studies and graduate. They understand that their degrees can help them achieve their desired careers and exceed their current limitations.”
“For us teachers, we learn alongside our students. There are many jobs we don’t fully understand, but with more information, we can better advise our students about career paths and how to achieve them.”
As students become more inspired and curious, they start requesting specific speakers. Their suggestions have included careers like content creator, pharmacist, researcher, and model. Many students are inspired to pursue higher education, follow their dreams, and gain life insights.
Nam, a student, shared: “I joined the club to learn more about jobs because I am nearing graduation and wanted a clear plan. I have many interests, but being a pharmacist intrigues me the most because I enjoy Chemistry. I am excited to graduate and pursue this career path.”
“When we do what we like, we stay motivated and perform well,” Ya reflected on choosing a future career based on club activities.
Jew discovered her potential through conversations with speakers. “I joined this club because I didn’t know what to do and wanted to find a goal and learn about different jobs. I am impressed with TikTokers and think I could become a vendor on that platform without needing a degree. I believe I have the energy and similarities with the speaker to succeed.”
“If not for this club, I wouldn’t have known who to ask about these careers or learned this much about myself,” Nam concluded.
Founded in 2023 by ‘Kru Ging’ – Yuparat Phoodad, a TFT alumna from cohort 8, ‘Kru Phone’ from cohort 9, and ‘Kru Natty’ from Nongyai Siriworawat Wittaya School, Go to the Future has received positive feedback from teachers, students, and parents who want their children to join the club.
“In the future, we hope to expand to include job shadowing, allowing students to experience real work environments and make informed decisions about their careers,” explained Kru Phone.
“It would be great to have support from speakers in 21st-century jobs, such as gamers, to broaden our students’ career perspectives, especially in fields like e-sports.”
Education is not solely the responsibility of teachers; all parties can contribute to supporting quality education to enhance the skills and capacities of children and youths in Thailand, enabling them to choose their futures.
Become part of the change, here.
