Youth in Focus: An Interview with Inas Mansoor

Inas Mansoor is senior at An-Najah National University studying English Literature and Language. Inas is from Qalqilya.

What made you interested in TYO's STEP! Program?

My fellow classmates in the English Department at the University encouraged me to apply. I was interested in applying to gain experience in working with children, as well as to improve my professional skills through the trainings offered as a part of TYO's STEP! Program. Moreover, I was excited to improve my English language skills by working alongside TYO's International Interns.

What new skills have you learned through your participation in the program?

I feel that I have developed my leadership skills significantly to the point where I now feel comfortable leading a class through an activity on my own. I also developed my communication skills and became much more comfortable working alongside TYO's Core Child Program teachers, International Interns and my fellow STEP! volunteers. I better learned that there are different ways to talk to different ages and people. I was so glad to receive feedback from the staff at TYO and I noticed my own personal growth because of it. I feel satisfied knowing that by the end of the program, my personality became even stronger. However I think the most important thing I learned was how to work with children. I loved kids prior to joining STEP! but I lacked the experience to be qualified to work with them. TYO helped me a lot!

What are your career goals and do you feel that STEP! helped you get closer to those goals?

Before coming to TYO, my goal was to pursue a career as a translator. But now, after having volunteered, my long-term goal is to work at TYO after I graduate. I think the work TYO does is so interesting and I would love to become a part of an international organization that helps the community. My work at TYO helped my personality develop and gave me an opportunity to experience in-service learning that supports my academic studies. Being in an environment where almost everybody was encouraging me to be forward thinking, was inspiring.

What do you think is the biggest challenge for youth like you in the current labor market?

I think that the biggest challenge facing youth like me is that people cannot find jobs in their field of study so they are forced to find work in some other capacity. I feel that there are not many job opportunities in Palestine, which is challenging.

-Interview conducted by Ruba Hayfayda

The Student Training and Employment Program (STEP!) – is funded by the Abdul Hameed Shoman Foundation.