The Relevate project was a journey into the world of technology, personal growth, and professional development in the IT industry – full of practice, inspiration, and interaction. Participants had the chance to experience what working in IT is really like, discover their talents, learn effective self-presentation, and explore the world of data and artificial intelligence. By taking part in the project, they gained concrete skills and tools that help them find their career path in this unique industry – all thanks to the commitment of Relativity.
Relevate – a program that opens the path to a career in IT
The Relevate project was created with young people aged 18–30 in mind – those who want to consciously shape their professional future. Thanks to the involvement of experts and specialists, as well as volunteers from Relativity, participants had the chance to discover the world of IT from an entirely new perspective.
As part of the project, a series of six workshops was delivered – each one focusing on a different aspect of development: from exploring career paths, building self-confidence, and improving CVs, to data analytics and artificial intelligence. It was not only an opportunity to gain knowledge, but above all a space for conversation, sharing experiences, and drawing inspiration.
The first encounter with the world of IT
The first workshop of the Relevate project, “Discover the World of IT: What Career Paths Await in Technology”, was led by Monika Wąż and Bartłomiej Czyż.
They began with a group exercise in which participants analyzed what needs to happen for a business – such as a bakery or a gym – to move from an idea to a real service or product. The results were excellent! Some groups chose a classic approach: from concept, to hiring a team, to accounting and promotion. Others thought bigger, imagining a chain of bakeries, a website, online ordering, and mobile apps.
The second exercise took participants fully into the IT world – they designed the process of creating a food-ordering application. It turned out that many roles were correctly identified, and Monika and Bartłomiej expanded the list with additional, often less obvious but very necessary IT positions.
At the end of the workshop, the facilitators presented a broad map of IT roles – from programmers, data analysts, and cybersecurity specialists to positions in HR, marketing, and sales. They also highlighted entry requirements, barriers to entry, and career transition pathways.
With Talent to Success
The next workshop, “With Talent to Success – Unlock Your Potential”, was a true journey into the self. The facilitators, Katarzyna Sidełko and Urszula Jamka, helped participants discover their strengths and talents while also teaching them how to apply these in both work and everyday life.
We discussed:
- what talents are and how to recognize them,
- a growth mindset – how to embrace challenges and learn from mistakes,
- mental resilience – how to build it through relationships and support from others.
At the end, everyone created a preliminary personal development plan based on what truly inspires and motivates them.
„We hope that with this knowledge and these self-development techniques, the path to finding your dream job will be easier!” – the facilitators concluded the session.
A Stress-Free Job Interview
The third workshop focused on job interviews. Under the guidance of Katarzyna Pająk and Monika Wąż, participants practiced practical skills in self-presentation and responding to challenging questions.
One of the most moving moments was the “Mirror of Power” exercise, in which each participant completed sentences like:
“I am someone who can…”
“What I like about myself is…”
“I am proud of…”
They then heard these words reinforced and acknowledged by their exercise partner.
The next challenge was a fun simulation: convincing a NASA recruiter that you should be the one to go to space! It was an excellent exercise in self-presentation and confidently talking about oneself.
At the end, Kasia introduced the STAR method, a practical tool that gives structure and persuasive power to answers during job interviews.
Mastering Your CV
The fourth Relevate workshop focused on CVs and self-presentation. Aleksandra Kumorowska and Bartłomiej Czyż showed participants how recruiters view application documents and what they pay attention to.
The workshop consisted of three parts:
- Self-presentation training,
- CV analysis,
- Insights from the recruiters’ perspective.
Among the exercises was a strategic recruitment game, where groups crafted the ideal CV for a specific job offer. Participants learned how to complete a CV creatively and honestly, even when lacking experience. The result? Practical knowledge and valuable insights to help with future applications.
Diving into Data
During the fifth workshop, participants explored the world of data analysis with Dorota Pilch and Anna Tetiurka. We started with the basics: what data analysis is and why it matters. Then, we went through the data workflow step by step – from gathering information, through transforming it, to drawing accurate conclusions.
The analytical thinking training included asking the right questions, identifying connections, and telling the stories hidden within the data. Participants discovered that a career in data analysis is not just about numbers, but also about communication, curiosity, and creativity.
Artificial Intelligence, a Day in IT, and… Corporate Speak
The sixth and final Relevate workshop took participants behind the scenes of a tech company and showed what working with AI looks like.
Urszula Jamka, Aleksandra Kumorowska, and Rafał Fatuła discussed:
- machine learning and generative models,
- how language models work,
- the role of an AI engineer and their daily tasks,
- practical applications of AI in projects.
The session ended with a fun lesson in corporate speak – covering all the famous ASAPs, briefs, feedback, and brainstorming sessions!
The Next Step in a Real Career Path – Mentoring
The Relevate project demonstrates that learning and personal development can be engaging, inspiring, and… accessible! From practical group exercises and job interview training to exploring the intricacies of data analysis and artificial intelligence, each workshop brought valuable insights to participants’ professional lives.
Thanks to the knowledge shared by the facilitators and the shared experiences, participants not only gained new skills but also confidence and motivation to take action. Relevate proves that discovering your potential and advancing your career can go hand in hand with fun and an inspiring community.
And what will stay with those who led the workshops?
- “What will stay with me is the feeling of sharing my time and knowledge and how rewarding that can be.”
- “The relationships I built with other volunteers! 🙂”
- “The enthusiasm of the participants, even though I know some of them were facing difficult life situations! Truly inspiring!”
Participants were able to immediately put their new knowledge and ideas into practice! As part of the project’s conclusion, we organized the Relevate Hackathon #TechForGood, which you can read more about here. This event perfectly combined a passion for new technologies, the desire to do good, and the need for collaboration!
But that’s not the end! Some participants have begun their journey in the Relevate mentoring program.
From June through the end of September, participants meet with their dedicated mentors every two weeks for about an hour to strengthen their professional skills, improve their employment prospects, and build a meaningful relationship with their mentor.
It’s not a lecture – it’s a conversation, because mentoring is a shared journey based on trust, experience-sharing, mutual respect, and regular work on personal goals. We can’t wait to see the participants’ experiences in this next stage of their journey into the world of IT!
Thank you!
We thank all the participants of the project for their energy, commitment, and courage in exploring themselves and the world of work! It’s truly wonderful to witness the growth of such active and passionate young people.
Special thanks also go to the Relativity team – this wouldn’t have been possible without you! We thank you and congratulate you!
Sean Nielsen – Project Initiator and Coordinator at Relativity
Urszula Jamka – Project Coordinator at the Kraków branch of the company
Volunteers Leading the Workshops:
Bartłomiej Czyż
Dorota Pilch
Piotr Matoga
Katarzyna Sidełko
Aleksandra Kumorowska
Anna Tetiurka
Katarzyna Pająk
Rafał Fatuła
Urszula Jamka
We also thank the invaluable project coordinator from the Hearty Foundation team!
Paulina Wójtowicz-Szmit
Agnieszka Sznajder
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