Western Bulldogs Leadership Project brought together project branches in Ballarat, Ararat, Stawell and Hepburn for a speed-date style careers session on Wednesday morning.

For Zoe Hunt, it was a chance to learn more about themes they had been exploring.

“A lot of the jobs, I wasn’t sure exactly what they were about or what they do until I spoke to people,” Ms Hunt said. “The session was a good help to put into practice what we’ve learned about different traits in leaders and how different careers are about leadership.”

The Bulldogs-led Leadership Project is a six-month program for young people to build their confidence and leadership skills in their own communities and learning from people in their own communities. This is the second year the Bulldogs have hosted the Project in Ballarat, working in partnership with City of Ballarat.

Western Bulldogs Community Foundation youth development coordinator Jenna Browne the session’s aim was to help reach and inspire participants beyond the program’s graduation.

“It’s really good timing for this now. The past few months they’ve really been learning about themselves,” Ms Browne said. “Meeting with people who are really passionate and have that knowledge, and proved to them they can start looking at those pathways.”

The careers session featured representatives from health, nursing, police, psychology, media, engineering, teaching, and the music and sports industries.

Participants are developing projects on an issue of their choice, like homelessness or opportunities for youth in regional towns. Some are drawing on inspiration from the program’s guest speakers.

Ballarat will host a Leadership Project camp, bringing together participants from across western Victoria, Mildura, inner-west suburbs and the Bulldogs’ indigenous youth program in August. Camp will include AFL game day at Mars Stadium.