Job Seeking Club: Aida Zelić now works at the travel agency Relax Tours

The Youth Employment Project Yep fondly remembers Aida Zelić, Master of Communication. For this 27-year-old from Sarajevo, they have only words of praise.

- An exceptional translator, an excellent and dedicated worker, an approachable conversationalist, handles stressful situations well, a brave young person - these are just some of the characteristics that Robert Maurer, the employer, wrote in his recommendation for his former colleague from GOPA's Kuder team.

And he was not mistaken. This young woman, without hesitation or fear, jumped from the Job Seeking Club into the real business world and delighted the Kuder team with her skills as a simulated translator and guide.

Recalling those days, Zelić emphasizes that she could never have imagined that she would skip so many steps from the Job Seeking Club, which she attended at the time, and get an engagement with an American company. Adisa Šarić, the Club leader, was responsible for this short-term, but important engagement for her future career.

- After obtaining a Bachelor of Journalism degree from the Faculty of Political Sciences in Sarajevo in December 2014, I continued my studies and earned a Master's degree in Communication and Public Relations. Like most of my colleagues, I used every opportunity to gain practical experience, working occasionally as a journalist on portals and at TV Hayat. Since the time was approaching when I had to seriously think about a more concrete employment, I registered with the Employment Bureau Centar - says Zelić, now a sales agent for tourist arrangements at Relax Tours.

Wanting to be more than just another number on the unemployment list, through a friend who had also attended the Club, she joined the Job Seeking Club, the opening of which was supported by the Youth Employment Project (YEP), the Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation (SDC), and GOPA, within the Public Institution "Employment Service of Sarajevo Canton".

Providing continuous assistance to unemployed young people in their job search, the primary task of the Club, if judging by the results, is a complete success. Namely, shortly after the workshop at the Club, her friend also got employed. Today, they gladly and warmly recommend to anyone in a similar situation to join the Club.

The professionalism of Adisa Šarić, the Club leader, as well as her desire for young people to realize their interests and potentials as successfully as possible, impressed Zelić. As many times before, Zelić sent her CV with recommendations and a cover letter to multiple addresses. Among others, to Relax Tours.

And she received a response the same day. The management of Relax Tours, one of the most successful companies in BiH, was among the first to react to the recommendations and offered her a one-year employment contract through the Sarajevo Canton Employment Service program - First Work Experience.

- Working with GOPA and the Kuder team delighted me. It was a wonderful experience that I would repeat at any moment. I learned from them what professionalism means. And that is to always be kind and smiling and to complete your tasks on time. I can say the same for my current engagement. I am overjoyed to be part of the Relax Tours team and I believe I will learn a lot working in this company as well. Although it is difficult to find a job today, the will to work is the motivation that will lead you to your goal. The recipe for success is persistence, work, training, a smile on your face, and the Job Seeking Club - says Zelić.