Debrecen4U
January 28, 2026
Motivational Forum Guides Young Women in Sport and Career Planning
On January 27, the conference room of the DSZC Irinyi János Vocational School was filled with female students enrolled in coach–sports organizer and fitness–wellness instructor training programs, where young participants discussed the personality-shaping role of sport and the key issues of a successful professional sports career. The motivational forum was part of the institution’s career week as a highlighted event supporting career planning and further education.
“I definitely want to complete the sports organizer program at the Faculty of Economics in Debrecen. I don’t yet know exactly where I would like to work afterward. I have about 12 years of experience in volleyball, so I definitely want to continue working with that as well,” said Viktória Papp, a student of DSZC Irinyi János Vocational School.
Independence, flexibility, versatility, and task orientation played a prominent role at the forum; according to Deputy Mayor Diána Széles, young people should face challenges with confidence. “It shaped me greatly that as a teenager I dared to be brave. And believe me, today’s world is about challenges. When you enter the labor market, you will need skills that ensure constant renewal,” she said.
Blanka Márián, Professional Director of the DVSC Handball Academy, highlighted the life-shaping power of team sports. “Individual sports are also valuable, because there you have to face challenges alone, but what we learn in team sports plays a very important role in every other area of life, including careers,” she said.
A special guest of the forum was hurdler and Olympic athlete Gréta Könczei-Kerekes, who, after experiencing the world of elite sport, eventually returned to her hometown of Debrecen. She has been living in the city again for a year and a half and is currently expecting a child. “What I can say is that this city gives such a sense of calm, and I can hardly wait to raise my child here as well, because I loved growing up here,” she added.
In the closing part of the program, students had the opportunity to ask questions of the speakers, among others about balancing sport and studies, as well as the challenges and opportunities of women’s career building.
Source and photo credit: dehir.hu
