A game to help young people find their path

Players start the game with a CV, which they update with new experiences, training, or internships. Presented as a board game, Postulo invites you to embody a fictional character who must build their professional career by choosing from 32 distinct professions.

At the end of the game, the winner is invited to take part in a job interview. They embody their character in a role-play phase, seeking to convince other players to give them a chance. "It’s a moment that is both funny and a bit embarrassing, but very close to what young people can experience," explains Achille Donnet, an educator at the Therapeutic Day Centre for Adolescents (CTJA) and the project leader. “The game highlights the multiple possible paths after compulsory schooling. It de-dramatises the job interview and helps young people become aware of their skills.”

A project born in a therapeutic workshop

The initiative took shape at a workshop at the Therapeutic Day Centre for Adolescents (CTJA) in Lausanne, which welcomes patients aged 13 to 18 with mental disorders. What they have in common: a break from classical education. “We usually follow them for six to nine months, aiming to connect them to a project, such as returning to school or starting an apprenticeship.”

It was during a professional workshop that the idea for a board game was born. “I regularly use playful elements as pedagogical and therapeutic tools. The game allows sharing and skill development, and creates a symbolic universe where one can experiment without fear. One day, I suggested to the participants in our workshop that they imagine what a game on professional integration would look like. Without any ambition to publish it, simply as a creative support to spark discussion.”

The young people quickly got caught up in the game. “We imagined the rules, the course of the game, and the board. Once the first prototype was developed, we saw it worked well and had potential. We said, 'What if we went further?' As time went by, the project grew until the game's edition by Loisirs et Pédagogie (L&P) last November.” 

A team effort over several years

Postulo involved around 70 young people over four years, directly or indirectly. “Even though I led the project, it was also supported from start to finish by the entire team at the Centre,” says Achille Donnet.” Everyone contributed to it, whether by hosting parties, writing job descriptions or supporting young people during meetings with graphic designers, the publishing house or the printing company. This process has also allowed me to experience situations close to professional life: speaking, presentations, and the discovery of the professions involved in creating a game.”

Beyond the playful aspect, Postulo serves as a tool to reduce anxiety about the professional world. “A young patient told me that it was very reassuring to see her character’s journey in the form of squares on a board. For many of our patients, the future is unclear, distant, almost paralysing. The game lets you focus on the first step, not the top.”

Since its release, Postulo has been used in healthcare settings and schools. The board game has also been integrated into the awareness campaign ‘What do we do after school?' launched at the beginning of the year by the City of Lausanne to help young people better navigate the transition from school to the professional world.