Graduates of Profesia Lab 2023 - 2025
Over the past three years, we have had the opportunity to accompany more than 300 young people on their journey to employment. Some have successfully secured employment, others have continued their studies, and some are still searching for the right path. Drag Here are inspiring testimonials from selected graduates and their parents. We believe these will serve as encouragement for you as well.
IVETA ČOROSOVÁ
Profesia Lab Graduate 2023: Video
I graduated with a specialization in assistant cook and waiter services. I am someone who could not find employment anywhere after finishing school. First, I enrolled in a program called Profesia Lab and participated in a site visit to TESCO's clothing department. Besides coaches Ms. Dáška and Ms. Inga, an employee from TESCO, Ms. Danka, also assisted me.
Ms. Danka is exceptional; when something does not work out, she repeats the process for me two or three times until I understand how to do it correctly. At TESCO, I primarily learned how to code merchandise, but I also learned how to unload boxes, open them properly, and I have even learned to operate a pallet jack.
Profesia Lab provided me with the best experience I could have for my current work. I am no longer afraid to ask questions or seek assistance. After completing the internship, they extended my contract. I have been working here for more than a year now, and I am also training new colleagues. I tell them not to hesitate to ask me questions, such as where items belong. I encourage them to approach me for guidance, as I am committed to passing my experience on to others.
Darina and Lucia Sádovská
Meet Darina Sádovská, mother of a 2024 Profesia Lab graduate, and Lucia, a recent participant, who share how structured training, job coaching, company visits, and a first internship helped turn uncertainty into workplace confidence and daily purpose. Their stories highlight what matters most in the transition to work for youth with diverse abilities: time to prepare, a supportive environment, and real experience with employers.
MARIETA KOVÁČOVÁ
Mother of Profesia Lab Graduate 2025
Ten years ago, your 14-year-old son Maxim suffered a skiing accident. How did this change your family's life?
We are a family of four—besides our son Maxim, we also have a daughter, Michaela, who is a year and a half older. We were confronted with the new challenge of managing the changes in our lives emotionally, health-wise, financially, and practically. My husband continued working to support us, while I remained at home to care for Maxim. The care gradually evolved—first in the hospital, then during spa treatment, and later at home in our city of Bratislava. It primarily involved securing and organizing therapies, exercises, and other supportive activities to restore Maxim's memory. Our son remained in a conscious coma for four months following the accident and was subsequently confined to a wheelchair for another six months. During this period, friends and family provided tremendous assistance, including financial support for purchasing more expensive medical aids and paying for therapies.
What challenges did you experience with Maxim's return to school?
Before the accident, Maxim was among the exceptionally gifted students. School came easily to him; he was dedicated to English and German, with Italian and Spanish added later. He enjoyed organizing activities, served as class president, and represented the school at sporting events in squash and table tennis. One year after the accident, Maxim returned to the school system. It was a challenging period due to new limitations in Maxim's communication fluency, impaired memory, rapid fatigue, and loss of concentration. I did not return to work and remained available to ensure Maxim's well-being, assist with school preparation, and coordinate other therapies to improve his health condition.
How did you find balance between caring for your son and your own career?
After Maxim's accident, I attempted to return to work approximately three times, but due to new health complications and later COVID-19, I only succeeded on the third attempt. During this period, I wrote a book about Maxim and his journey, documenting everything we experienced over those years and identifying which therapies helped us, so they might potentially assist other people who find themselves in similar situations. After completing elementary school, Maxim graduated from a Secondary Vocational School of Education and Social Work with a high school diploma, and subsequently completed a two-year post-secondary study program in social-legal awareness at a specialized secondary school for young people with disabilities.
What did participation in Profesia Lab bring to Maxim?
Maxim applied to Profesia Lab because he perceived it as an excellent opportunity to bridge the period between completing school and his first work experience. He had the opportunity to familiarize himself with processes in the working world and to develop new social and communication skills for professional life. The most attractive aspect for him appears to be the opportunity to participate in site visits to several companies across various job positions, as well as the chance to complete an internship as his first work experience.
We thank Profesia Lab for creating a program that is tremendously beneficial for young people with disabilities. It provides them with guidance and a supportive environment when searching for their place in professional life. As parents, we sincerely hope that Maxim will find a position where he can fully utilize his talents and bring a fresh perspective to addressing new challenges.
