In my view, people’s motivations should not be ranked or judged. During the supervisor training I attended, we discussed several times how even a seemingly self-interested motive can be a good motive in the field of volunteering. In today’s individualistic society, decisions are often examined from the perspective of personal benefit: What do I gain from this? Is this worth my time? Should I commit to this?
In expert-by-experience training, participants are also encouraged to reflect on their own strengths and resources. The assignments given between training days—guiding students to explore different themes—often help clarify the tools that are essential for an expert by experience. The purpose is to become more aware of these strengths and resources, as they support coping at work and overall well-being.
Motivating students and helping them develop self-reflection skills are central goals of these intermediate assignments. An expert by experience needs the ability to reflect on their own thoughts, experiences, and actions. The importance of growing self-awareness and self-esteem should not be underestimated either; both are needed when choosing work tasks and succeeding in them.
Some students participate in the training primarily for themselves, gaining valuable mental and emotional capital. For others, finding employment opportunities is an important goal. The diversity of motivations is a strength in our training. Most experts by experience want to make a difference and contribute to developing and improving services. They bring first-hand experiential knowledge that benefits both professionals and service users. At its best, the situation is a win-win—everyone benefits.
