Name: John Horn

Organization: ThePotentiality.com (Vancouver, BC)

Summary: Our idea to showcase the value of Career Practitioners is called Career Swap. Here is what Career Swap looks like: http://bit.ly/1cBTw2k.

Career Swap blends early intervention, entertainment and community engagement by combining career development, experiential learning and reality television to engage youth aged 10-15 in meaningful career conversations and share their stories with the world.

Project Description: A Filmmaker and a Career Practitioner collaborate to organize “Career Swap Experiences” and document the process. Our goal is to film and share 20 unique Career Swap stories per year. Elementary and high school students are motivated to participate because they receive course credit as well as $500 invested in a Registered Education Savings Plan (RESP). Professionals from sectors across Canada are motivated to participate because they receive a wage subsidy from the Canadian government.

For students and professionals alike, the three parts of Career Swap are experience, reflection and storytelling. The student learns from the workplace and then the professional learns from the school. The career practitioner helps them make meaning of their shared experience. Finally, the student and professional tell their stories and recommendations to stakeholders from government, education, business, and, through our web series or TV show, the public.

Career Development is in the spotlight!

Perceived Impact: Blending fiery, entertaining and, at times, semi-ridiculous reality-tv-style storytelling, this project will engage audiences who are not typically reached by Canada’s career practitioners. By focusing on non-linear career paths, building on the cross-pollination of dozens of professionals, students and their communities intersecting, and – most importantly – by putting career practitioners in the spotlight of these performances, Career Swap will get people talking about how career development matters to Canadians.

To really assess the impact, just watch our video: http://bit.ly/1cBTw2k.