The Quebec cybermentoring platform has begun its transformation to become a true social network. For 15 years, the organization has connected young people who are in the process of making career decisions.
Since February, Academos has called for contributions on the crowdfunding platform Indiegogo. The non-profit organization hopes to reach an amount of $15,000 to help with recasting its cybermentoring platform as a true social network. The money collected will also be used to mobilize young people and mentors in this new contact project. Prospects for development are substantial since Academos hopes to attract 100,000 new youth users during its first year of operation and to recruit several hundred new mentors in various specialities. The new version of the platform should be online in the fall of 2014.
In-depth content
Accessible from all mobile devices, the platform will let young people quickly create a knowledge network in the work environment from secondary school up to the time when they get their first job. They can ask practical questions of mentors who are working in the field they are interested in, share their passion and their anxieties with them. They will have discussions with other young people who wish to develop in the same field as them and also with institution or company leaders. They will have the opportunity to get personalized information and receive offers of jobs, internships or volunteering. As with any social network, the more detailed their profile the more the young people will get information and solicitations in line with their interests.
High stakes
As it did when it was created, Academos plans to offer tools to assist career choices that are appropriate to the habits of young people while remaining closely linked to the realities of the working world. There are high stakes: in Quebec, 40% of secondary school graduates justify their decision to abandon their studies by a lack of professional goals. Access to a network specializing in career guidance could help them clarify their desires.