As Hayata Dokun Yetim Association, we have added a new one to our events organized to contribute to the social and personal development of young people. At today’s breakfast program, we brought Education Coach Şerif Pak together with university students and highlighted the critical role of hobbies in the career journey.
Although success today is often measured solely by academic or professional titles, what truly completes an individual are the passions they fit outside of work and school hours. Acquiring a hobby is not merely “spending free time,” but a journey of discovering one’s own potential. While hobbies offer a mental escape, they also provide a social harbor where we can meet people on similar frequencies. Especially for young people at the beginning of their career paths, a hobby is one of the most powerful personal development tools—stimulating creativity, teaching stress management, and naturally offering networking opportunities. With this perspective, Hayata Dokun Yetim Association brought students together with Education and Career Coach Şerif Pak at a breakfast program.
THINKING OUTSIDE THE BOX
The main theme of the program, held at Zade Life Hotel, was “The Impact of Acquiring a Hobby on Personal and Professional Life.” The program began with an opening speech by Hatice Sohbet, a Member of the Board of Directors of our association. During his speech, Şerif Pak emphasized that hobbies are not merely tools to fill free time, but also strategic keys that open doors in professional careers. Sharing examples from his own career path, Pak stated that coming together with people who share common interests naturally expands one’s network, and that these connections can create unexpected opportunities in professional life in the future. He noted that the discipline gained through deep engagement in a particular activity has a direct correlation with success in working life. He also explained that the different perspectives gained through hobbies make it easier to step outside conventional patterns and produce original solutions during times of crisis in business life.
At the end of the seminar, which was followed with great interest by the participants, Şerif Pak answered students’ questions and offered advice on choosing hobbies. The program concluded with a presentation introducing the Anatolian Student Union (AÖB) by its President, Seyre Batuk.
