"Career guidance meeting with Ukrainian school students from Klaipėda (Lithuania)."
On December 19, 2025, the Head of the Department of Philosophy, Sociology, and Social Work, Professor S.K. Kostyuchkov, together with the guarantor of the educational program 'Social Work and Counseling' of the first (bachelor’s) level of higher education, Associate Professor T.M. Shvets, and the Chair of the Faculty Student Council, third-year student of the 'Social Work' program R. Yevsyukov, participated in the career guidance event 'Social Work: A Profession and a Life Mission' for the 11-A grade students of the East-European School (Klaipėda, Lithuania), children from Ukrainian families who have been forced by the war to reside in the Republic of Lithuania.
With a welcoming address to the audience, the Head of the Department, Professor S.K. Kostyuchkov, introduced the academic programs for which the Department of Philosophy, Sociology, and Social Work serves as the graduating unit, namely: C5 'Sociology' and I10 'Social Work and Counseling.' He outlined the future career prospects in these fields and invited the school graduates to pursue their studies in these specialties.
During the event, Associate Professor T.M. Shvets introduced the graduating class students of the East-European School to the specific features of social work in Ukraine, presented the list of positions that graduates of this specialty may hold, outlined the prospects of this professional activity in the near future within the process of post-war societal recovery.
The students actively participated in the game 'Good Deeds Bingo' and were surprised to discover that all the good deeds people perform (helping the elderly; assisting animals; volunteering; supporting friends in difficult life moments; listening without judgment when someone shares a challenging experience; organizing school initiatives; helping younger peers; assisting newcomers in adapting to a new environment; spreading useful information on social media; helping in hospitals or shelters; participating in school community projects; donating to the Armed Forces of Ukraine) — all of these are social work, that is, helping those who find themselves in difficult life circumstances.
R. Yevsyukov introduced the high school students to representatives of the student self-government bodies of the Faculty of Psychology, History, and Sociology, who study in the 'Social Work' program, and to their volunteer activities carried out on a community basis alongside their university studies (weaving camouflage nets, teaching mine safety, and organizing festive events for children).
The high school students gladly watched a video feature about the 108th anniversary of Kherson State University, through which they learned interesting facts connected with our university: they discovered the commemorative coin issued by the National Bank of Ukraine for the 100th anniversary of KSU, the relocation of the university from Lithuania at the beginning of the last century, and met Vasyl the cat, who was recognized as the mascot and official symbol of the university by decision of the Academic Council.
The meeting took place in a relaxed and friendly atmosphere, and the high school students expressed their wish for future engaging meetings and joint activities.