Students beat boredom at career camp

By Harold Ayodo

Believing that choosing a profession is a huge responsibility that should not be taken lightly, Joan Nyangasi spent part of her holiday at a career development camp.

She was among 38 secondary school students who attended a weeklong camp at the Karen Christian College in Nairobi. "We listened to talks by experts on career choices, life skills and difficult topics in the syllabus," says the 16-year-old.

"I am no longer confused and I know which optional subjects to take next term."

The Form Two student at Esalwa Secondary School in Western Province is keen on sciences because she wants to do medicine. "I am determined and I know what is required," she says.

Worth it

Nyangasi, who was sponsored to the camp by the NGO, Kids in Need (AKIN), says attending the camp was worth it. Normally she spends her vacations fetching firewood and water and doing household chores.

The story is the same for Mary Wanjiru who travelled from Central Province. "After guidance from the experts I want to be an accountant," the Form Three student at Ng’araria Girls Secondary School, says.

David Ogada, 16, has his eyes set on fine arts. "My classmates nurse ambitions of pursuing professional courses like medicine, architecture and law but I know my talent is in art," says the Form One student at Chulaimbo Secondary School in Nyanza.

He says learned new things and made friends from different parts of the country.

AKIN Executive Director Paul Miller and Project Manager Walter Ong’ala says the camp helps students make informed career choices.

Miller says the camp involves professionals from a wide range of fields who not provide information but also inspire students.