Šiht Happens: Bringing Career Exploration to Life for Young People in Zasavje (Slovenia)

As part of the WIN project, the team in Slovenia organised the Zasavje Employment and Career Fair “Šiht happens” on 15 October 2025 in Trbovlje. The fair placed a special focus on young people and their career imagination.

Students had the opportunity to explore different professions, meet potential employers from the region, and engage in hands-on activities designed to help them reflect on their future paths. Together with local stakeholders, PiNA’s team prepared several interactive experiences developed within the WIN innovation group: an escape room, a treasure hunt, and a human library.

These activities invited young people to discover professions in a creative, relaxed, and experiential way by solving puzzles, asking questions, debating ideas, and stepping into real stories from the world of work.

A moment that stayed with us

One moment that truly stood out and stayed with the organising team. After one of the living-library sessions, a few students simply didn’t want to leave. They kept chatting with their “living book,” asking follow-up questions that clearly mattered to them. The conversation shifted into an open, honest exchange, and a girl said quietly, almost in relief: “Now I finally understand what this job really looks like.” That small comment said a lot. It showed us how hungry young people are for honest, human conversations about work, not filtered, not staged, just real.

Learning by doing & playing

The escape room and treasure hunt transformed career exploration into a lively, engaging experience. Instead of sitting and listening, young people were solving tasks, searching for clues, debating ideas, and laughing together - all while discovering different professions without even noticing they were “learning.”

The interactive activities allowed young people to explore career options in a hands-on and engaging way. The escape room and treasure hunt introduced different professions through teamwork, problem-solving, and playful challenges, which transformed career exploration into an engaging experience rather than a lecture. The human library helped to create an intimate space where they could ask questions they normally wouldn’t dare to ask. Because of this mix, the career options became more tangible for them, almost like they could picture themselves in those roles more easily.

Why do such events matter?

In regions like Zasavje, where industrial transitions are reshaping the landscape, events like this are essential. They expose students to a broader range of possibilities and help them imagine futures beyond what they may see in their immediate environment.

The region is undergoing a significant transition, and young people need access to up-to-date, real-world insights to navigate rapidly changing labour-market demands. These events also help break down stereotypes about gendered professions and strengthen young people’s confidence to explore diverse career paths. It can help to build connections between students, professionals, and the local community.

For many, it’s the first time they hear professionals speak openly about their career paths, doubts, mistakes, and motivations. That honesty matters. It opens doors, and sometimes it’s enough to spark curiosity or courage in someone who didn’t see many possibilities before.

The event was organised by ZRSZ OS Trbovlje in cooperation with the Chamber of Commerce of Zasavje, the Institute for Youth, Sports and Tourism Trbovlje, and PiNA, a partner in the WIN project.