What is Svitlo Graduates?
Svitlo Graduates is a free career ecosystem for Ukrainian youth aged 18–25. It supports you from the question “who do I want to be?” all the way to a successful first job, internship or international opportunity.
We launched Svitlo Graduates because there is a gap between what university teaches and what the labour market asks for. Young people tell us they are expected to have experience they have not yet had the chance to gain.
Svitlo Graduates closes that gap with free career guidance for Ukrainian youth, practical skills, mentorship from working professionals, and real-world experience with partner companies.
Svitlo Graduates is a programme by Svitlo School, a part of Svitlo Education, a registered UK charity (no. 1201542) which has supported more than 4,000 young Ukrainians since March 2022.
What do young Ukrainians get from Svitlo Graduates?
Career Talks
Real, honest conversations with professionals on challenges and failures as well as success. Real insight into industries and businesses.
Career Sprints
Short, interactive courses focused on a practical skill, where you learn through doing, guided by expert professionals.
Real-world experience
Company case studies, hackathons, job shadowing, volunteer projects and internships with partner organisations.
Career English
Small-group business English sessions, mock interviews, with actionable feedback from native speakers.
Community
Peer groups, career buddies and an alumni network of ambitious young Ukrainians.
How to join Svitlo Graduates
You can join at any point in the year, and choose how involved you want to get.
Tell us where you are — from exploring who you want to be, to actively looking for experience — and what you’re interested in. We point you towards the sprints, mentors and opportunities that match your stage and your career track. You choose what to sign up for.
What are the career tracks on Svitlo Graduates?
Every sprint, mentor and opportunity sits inside a career track — and you choose which career track to develop.
We started with AI & Tech, Business & Entrepreneurship and Governance & Diplomacy, expanding to seven tracks through 2027. Each career track is tied to a key sector for Ukraine’s recovery.
AI & Tech
Business & Entrepreneurship
Governance & Diplomacy
Green Future & Energy
Medicine & Recovery
Engineering & Rebuild
Creative Industries
Hear from Svitlo Graduates participants
I took on real projects, pilots and partnerships. And eventually, thanks to recommendations and my involvement in Svitlo Graduates, I became a business automation specialist
Pasha
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Svitlo Graduates gave me far more than career tools, new connections or even an incredible trip to London. It gave me belief in myself. When I look at myself now I can see how much I've grown
Stacy
I was pleasantly surprised by just how many meetings there were.
The most useful part for me was setting up my own LinkedIn
Nastya
What I love most is the sense of community and the career talks with all kinds of speakers, who broaden your horizons and show you just how many opportunities are out there
Liza
Who runs Svitlo Graduates?
Svitlo Graduates is a programme by Svitlo School, part of Svitlo Education, a registered charity in England and Wales (no. 1201542).
Svitlo Graduates is managed by Career Specialist Lisa Tkachenko.
Svitlo School has educated 4,000+ Ukrainian children affected by the war free of charge since March 2022. Our mission is to empower Ukraine’s future social, political and business leaders to become confident global citizens.
Register for Svitlo Graduates
Registration is through our Telegram bot. It only takes a few minutes to tell us about yourself and your interests, and you will gain access to events, professionals and opportunities most relevant for you.
Find out more about Svitlo School
Svitlo Graduates is one part of what Svitlo School does. If you are younger than 18, or you want to teach and mentor with us, start here.
