CASE STUDY: Career Trek

Part of Coelement’s Stories for Change initiative, this video project for Career Trek builds on our belief that when young people—especially those from underrepresented or underserved backgrounds—see themselves in possibility, powered by hands-on learning, their futures expand. We partnered with Career Trek to help share stories that inspire, connect, and propel youth toward meaningful careers.

Understanding the Narrative

Career Trek is a Manitoba-based organization dedicated to inclusive, experiential career education. Their goal is to reach young people—school-age through early adulthood—particularly those who face barriers, to explore, discover, and prepare for future success through programs like Wonder of Work, Your Future Is Now, mentorship, camps, and parent/guardian engagement.

The narrative we needed to build wasn’t just “what Career Trek does,” but “why it matters.” Why does early exposure to career pathways change outcomes? How do hands-on experiences, supportive mentorship, and positive community impact young people’s confidence, sense of possibility, and choices? We aimed to make visible both the challenge (barriers, uncertainty, lack of access) and the promise (opportunity, growth, belonging).

The Storytelling Concept

Key creative decisions included:

Visual contrast & energy: captured both the quiet and reflective moments (preparation, learning, thinking) and the more dynamic ones (hands-on labs, workshops, field-work, group interaction).
Environmental & programmatic context: shots that show Manitoba settings, community spaces, school and workshop environments, to root the story in place while showing scale and possibility.
Graphics & text treatments: overlays or motion text to highlight program names, outcomes, testimonials (“Before Career Trek I didn’t… Now I…”) to punctuate change.
Tone & pacing: start gentle, curious, building toward excitement; moving the viewer from witnessing to being invited into possibility — “this can be you / this is what can happen / you are part of what’s next.”

Results and Impact

This video gives Career Trek a tool for both outreach and inspiration. Key impacts include:

Amplified awareness: more people (students, families, educators, funders) see what Career Trek does not just as programs, but as pathways—visibly changing young lives.
Strengthened engagement: young people and families connect more emotionally, wanting to participate, share stories, and support.
Support for fundraising & partnerships: a visual narrative helps communicate value to stakeholders, donors, community partners—showing return on investment in human terms.
Motivation & identity: for alumni and current participants, seeing themselves represented builds pride, belonging, and the encouragement to explore further—both in career and life.