ABSTRACT VIEW
THE RELEVANCE OF ENTREPRENEURSHIP AND LIFE PROJECT COURSES IN THE PREPARATION OF HIGH SCHOOL AND TECHNICAL STUDENTS FOR ENTRY INTO HIGHER EDUCATION: THE CAREER FAIR PROJECT
E. de Jesus Cândido Moraes, M. Aires Corrêa da Silva
University of Sao Paulo, School of Engineering of Lorena (BRAZIL)
Preparing for entry into higher education involves more than mastering academic content, requiring students to plan their lives and have a strategic vision for their future careers. In this context, the Entrepreneurship and Life Project courses play a crucial role in developing skills such as autonomy, conscious decision-making, and long-term planning. Particularly for students from schools in vulnerable regions, access to information about academic and professional possibilities may be limited, making the choice of a higher education course a significant challenge. To offer guidance and expand career options for these students, a Career Fair was organized as part of the Entrepreneurship and Life Project courses. The project aimed to connect students with professionals from various fields, offering a clearer understanding of educational opportunities and the job market. The fair also sought to encourage students to reflect on their academic and professional paths, helping them choose higher education courses aligned with their interests and skills. The methodology involved the participation of professionals from different areas, such as engineering, health, law, and entrepreneurship, who shared their experiences and advice on academic and professional paths. The event was organized under the supervision of the professor with the group of students enrolled in the courses: Entrepreneurship and Life Project. During the event, all students had the opportunity to interact directly with professionals, discuss doubts about their choices, and explore various market possibilities. The results indicated that the fair had a positive impact on student engagement and decisions, with many reporting greater clarity about their options for higher education. The interaction with professionals and institutions also helped increase students' motivation, making them feel more confident in pursuing higher education. For students from vulnerable regions, the fair represented a unique opportunity to visualize and access opportunities that previously seemed distant or unattainable. It is concluded that integrating the Entrepreneurship and Life Project courses into the education of high school and technical students, through activities like the Career Fair, is an effective strategy to prepare them for entry into higher education, offering concrete guidance and helping them make informed and strategic decisions about their academic and professional future.

Keywords: Educational Inclusion, Life Project, Entrepreneurship, Career Fair.

Event: INTED2025
Session: Challenges in Education and Research
Session time: Monday, 3rd of March from 15:00 to 18:30
Session type: POSTER