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This is the second year running that I’ve been managing Job Creation. It’s a social responsibility project run by MCZ Group and, to be perfectly honest, I’m quite proud of doing it. Not many companies decide to invest in this kind of initiative, especially considering that it’s not just about giving some money to charity. This is about an actual announcement that needs to be approved, a selection process that needs to be managed, e-mails come in every day asking for information and advice.

There could have been 25,000 euro in Christmas presents. But instead, 25,000 euro will go to 10 qualified and well-trained young people to leave for their first job abroad. While this experience might not change their lives, it will definitely, radically, change their professional prospects and in a positive way. We’ve already seen it in the people who went last year.

At the end of her internship in London, Lydia, who features in this video, sent me this message that really made me quite emotional:

Hi Giulia, I hope this message finds you well. I received my permanent contract from Smiley yesterday. I've been there since October. This is brilliant news and it wouldn't have happened, or rather it would have been very unlikely, without MCZ's grant. - Lydia Lavecchia

Silvia also recently sent me some news:

I was in Marseille for a year. Along with the internship at the Chamber of Commerce, for which I received the grant, I worked in an Italian restaurant. I had to find and purchase typical Italian foods. It was a really interesting experience and I had to attend various events, build up contacts, gain an income... basically enter the job market! - Silvia Pillon

The internship supported by MCZ was just the beginning for Paolo, too: 

Thanks to MCZ's grant, I started an internship at the European Small Business Alliance in Brussels in October 2012. I was a policy assistant. I then left ESBA to start at the Italian Small Business in Europe, where I'm currently working, basically in the same position. - Paolo Spoladore

And here's Marta's thoughts:

In the end, after completing my internship in Spain, I was awarded a one-year internship as a tutor in the language centre at the University of Bologna. I teach English and Spanish to university students that need to take a language proficiency test. Going to Spain was very useful and really helped improve my knowledge of the language and now, even months later, I still keep thinking in Spanish. I’ve also got a certification in Spanish which I have put on my CV. To sum it up, I'm very happy. - Marta Sanna

These experiences are truly heart-warming.

Now we’re waiting for the last applications to arrive for 2013. It’s going to be wonderful to take a peek at another 10 people’s lives and to hear ten more positive stories of bright young people just waiting for an opportunity.

Giulia Pavanello

Communication Manager - Job Creation project