Varsity seeks to inspire learners pick suitable career paths

University of Embu Vice-Chancellor Daniel Mugendi, interacts with students from different schools during a Careers Day at the university last week. [Joseph Muchiri, Standard]

Choosing the ideal career path is not an easy decision for many students in secondary school. Many grapple with questions on the best career to pursue and its prospects for getting a job.

Whereas at primary school level pupils harbour dreams of careers such as medicine, aviation and law among others, these preferred choices become distant memories as years roll on and by the time they get to secondary school many are unsure of what they want to do.

The University of Embu holds a Careers’ Day event every year to help high school students make informed decisions. Through interaction with the university’s schools and departments, career advisors and counsellors, the students get to know how their education, skills and talents can lead them to different career paths.

“The Careers’ Day is part of the university’s efforts to help our high school students to get to understand the careers and professions available in the market and to make it easier for them to achieve their future career aspirations,” Vice Chancellor, Prof Daniel Mugendi said during this year’s Career Day.

Career decisions

Over a 1,000 students from Embu County and neighbouring ones, honoured the invitation and participated in the event, which is now in its fourth edition. This year’s theme was ‘Nurturing Global Citizenship through Informed Career Decisions’.

Prof Mugendi said, through interaction with professionals and academicians, the students are empowered with knowledge and inspired to pursuit academic excellence. The university seeks to sensitise the students on the importance of building their career path early while still in high school. “Knowing one’s future career choice and how to get there, will most certainly, enable the students to know the subjects that are required for various professions. It helps them settle down to work in order to attain entry marks in the chosen field,” the VC said.

Prof Mugendi asked the students to know it is never too early or too late to figure out what you would like to be in future. They should be open to exploration and ready to try out new things and remain committed to their chosen career.

Steve Ngari from the Embu County Professionals Development Association, who was the chief guest, urged the students to identify their career paths early and work undeterred to get there. Ngari is the CEO of Toda Group.

Prof Kiplagat Kotut, who is the Deputy Vice Chancellor - Academics, Research and Extension, cautioned students against letting money influence their career choices.