The skills to start again. Greta's story
The phenomenon of young people who do not study and do not work, the so-called Neet (Neither in Employment nor in Education and Training), is a complex issue involving different age groups and territorial contexts. According to ISTAT data for 2023, 16.1 per cent of young people between the ages of 15 and 29 are in this condition, with a higher incidence in southern Italy. Despite the structural difficulties, it is important to tell the stories of those who, like Greta, were able to transform a moment of confusion into an opportunity for personal and professional growth.
Greta Mettica, 28, graduated in Tourism, but after graduating she did not immediately enrol in university. In fact, she was not convinced she wanted to continue her studies, above all, she could not understand what subject she was really interested in. ‘I felt lost, without a clear direction,’ she says.
For about two years, she therefore did odd or seasonal jobs in holiday resorts, devoting herself mostly to her passion: the musical. Greta loves the performing arts, an interest that she developed at the age of 16 and which led her, together with the school theatre group, to found the theatre company ‘Raccolta differenziata’.
As time went by, however, the need to find a direction, not only personal but also professional, became stronger in her. In an attempt, therefore, to find out for which subject she had the greatest affinity, Greta decided to enrol at theUniversity of the Three Ages to find inspiration. Here it is in fact possible to confront different subjects (over 400), and to construct a personalised study plan. In short, it is possible to get an idea of one's aptitudes, one's interests.
It is here that Greta discovers that she is very interested in the world of communication, astrology and rediscovers her interest in tourism. An interest, the latter of which culminates in a three-year degree in Tourism Science.
Immediately after university, she worked first at the customs office, then as a technical assistant at a building site and finally now at the registry office. All one-year traineeships, none of them renewed, let alone converted into a stable contract. ‘Changing field often means starting from scratch, and that's frustrating. You always feel like you are starting all over again,' she confides.
Last November, Greta took part in a training course in Social Media Marketing set up by the Fondazione Mondo Digitale as part of the Dig4All project, so she approached the world of communication again, a field that reminds her of the dynamism and creativity of show business. ‘I think communication could be a path to follow in the future. I like the idea of a job that allows you to express creativity and get in touch with many people,' she explains.
For those experiencing a moment of confusion, Greta has a simple but powerful piece of advice: ‘Never stop looking for something you really like. Even if you don't have clear ideas, each step brings you closer to a better understanding of who you are and what you want to do'.
Her story shows that even seemingly circuitous paths can lead to greater self-awareness and new opportunities.
A network for the future
Thanks to the programme ‘The job is yours. Skills for a fresh start', Greta had the opportunity to take part in a personalised session with a LinkedIn expert, during which she optimised her profile on the platform. Her experience was chosen as a testimony for theevent on 30 January, an engaging and inspirational workshop dedicated to young inactive people. The aim of the workshop is to provide practical tools to support them in getting back into the game, both in their job search and in the retraining process. Through training sessions, coaching and inspirational testimonials, these events create an indispensable support network for those facing the challenges of the labour market.
