CAREER COUNSELING DAY ON 12TH AUGUST 2016
Career guidance is a developmental process that facilitates the acquisition of attitudes; skills and knowledge to help students better understand themselves while exploring viable education and career options that eventually result into making decisions with developed plans to achieve their career aspirations.
A number of learners are not able to pursue their studies at institutions of higher learning due to lack of career guidance at schools. Proper career guidance would have assisted many of these students with early applications at universities and/or further education and training colleges, selection of career paths at an early stage, and with more career options other than enrolling at these institutions. Proper career guidance would have at least made this situation manageable for learners and the institutions of higher learning. It is therefore clear that without career guidance, students miss out on “what to do” and “where to go” after completing A’ level.
Jomo Kenyatta University of Agriculture and Technology Kigali Campus launched a career counseling session this year on 12th August 2016 for secondary schools around Kigali to help the students know why they will need career guidance and how they should choose careers in their learning process.
The program will help students in secondary schools to see a variety of available academic options that would help them through their preferred learning styles, and be helped to find how to develop plans to reach their educational and occupational goals.
Clement Ingabire with students from GSG Secondary School listening to the session
The aim of this program is:
v Students from different schools will, therefore, be motivated to commit to education and acquire the skills and qualifications they require for entry in university and to be successful in developing their career in life;
v To highlight to secondary students that choosing the right career will enable them have higher skills and qualifications for better outcomes in the labour market (e.g. higher earnings, better likelihood of employment and greater satisfaction in their working life);
v The students should understand their strengths and weaknesses as a tool for choosing a career at early stage.
v Learners should open their mind to career development by choosing Jomo Kenyatta University as their higher learning institute that can help them achieve their dream careers.
v Lastly the university also aimed at promoting their programs they offer to those students who will qualify to join university next year.
Mukankundiye a teacher of GIS Bumbogo Gasabo, during the session
“The program will help students in secondary schools to see a variety of available academic options that would help them through their preferred learning styles, and be helped to find how to develop plans to reach their educational and occupational goals by choosing the right career,” Says Dr. Cheruiyot W.K., Ph.D Director Jomo Kenyatta Kigali Campus.
He also asked the student to visit the university regularly for more information about the courses they offer and invite their friends to visit the university to know more about it and how they should apply for higher studies.
Dr. Cheruiyot encouraged the students to put extra effort in preparations for their forthcoming National Examinations. This will enable them have a better career as well with the good results achieved from each individual.
Students from different secondary school of Kigali at Jomo Kenyatta University after the career counseling day
Good career guidance therefore plays a critical role in preparing students for the world of work by equipping them with the skills to remain relevant in the global economy and lead purposeful lives. Research has shown that career planning programs can positively impact academic performance leading to optimal education and career decisions.
Jomo Kenyatta University invites all students who wish to further their studies to join the university where they will be setting trends to higher education, research and innovation.
Story by Nyambane Samson.
From the New Times Publication