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Donor alignment should also mean career alignment for young people

An external opinion by Sannan Khan on why program coordination should reach the level of a young person's direction, work pathway, and long-term readiness.

By Sannan KhanIGIHEAugust 2026
Framework connecting donor program goals, youth career direction, and real work pathways

This page introduces Sannan Khan's opinion published by IGIHE. The full article remains with the original publisher. This summary highlights the question it raises for donors, NGOs, universities, and youth programs.

What is career alignment in a youth program?
It means helping participants connect training and program activity to a realistic direction: the work they are preparing for, the evidence they need to build, and the next transition they must be ready to make.

Program alignment is not enough on its own

Donors and delivery partners can align budgets, reporting, outcomes, and implementation calendars while participants remain unclear about how the program connects to their own future. Completion then becomes the visible success measure even when career movement remains uncertain.

A stronger model asks what participants understand about their strengths, responsibilities, opportunities, and next steps. It treats direction as part of employability rather than assuming skills automatically produce a career.

What organizations can add

Career mapping, workplace expectations, mentoring, evidence-building, and transition planning can sit alongside technical training. These additions help young people interpret the opportunity, not merely attend it.

For institutions

Add career direction to the program, not after it.

Discuss a youth readiness workshop, university session, NGO program module, or facilitated conversation for participants and delivery teams.