Ministry, NMG offer students advice on careers

Gad Ndirangu of Kenyatta University engages Maina Wanjigi Secondary School students during My Network Nation Media Group Career Fair at the KICC, Nairobi, on July 28, 2018. PHOTO | FRANCIS NDERITU | NATION MEDIA GROUP

What you need to know:

  • The NMG initiative provides students, teachers and parents with the knowledge of how to handle career matters effectively.
  • The panellists called on parents and guardians to allow their children to choose courses they are comfortable with.

The Ministry of Education has issued a directive for the establishment of career offices in learning institutions to guide students.

Cabinet Secretary Amina Mohamed said through guidance learners will be able to make informed decisions regarding their careers.

"As you are aware, students experience a number of challenges when choosing careers at the end of secondary education and some end up pursuing courses which they will never practice due to wrong choices," she said in her speech read on her behalf by University Education Director James Kiburi during Nation Media Group (NMG) Career Fair at the KICC, Nairobi, on Saturday.

LEARNING TRANSITION

The directive targets tertiary colleges and universities.

Ms Mohamed commended NMG's initiative, saying it provides students, teachers and parents with the knowledge of how to handle career matters effectively.

"I therefore appeal for closer cooperation between the schools, the universities and employers in order to ensure seamless transition at all levels, as we build a workforce that would be able to drive a thriving economy," she said.

NEWSPAPER

She added that the learners' future requires collaboration from all stakeholders.

Nation Media Group Newspaper Division managing director Francis Munywoki said the event seeks to advice and inform school leavers on better careers choices.

"The objective of this fair is to give guidance on career choices to high school students and all others seeking opportunities in higher education institutions.

"As NMG, we are committed to education and growing careers of young people. We have pullouts dedicated to the young like Juniorspot and My Network, which are published every week in the Daily Nation," Mr Munywoki said.

Some of the exhibitors were Kenyatta University, Zetech University, the University of Nairobi, Masinde Muliro University of Science and Technology, United States International University-Africa and Catholic University of Eastern Africa.

FREE WILL

The panellists called on universities to ensure learners get practical career exposure, while urging parents and guardians to let their children choose courses they are comfortable with.

Zetech University Vice Chancellor Njenga Munene advised the students to only enrol for courses they are good at.

Masinde Muliro's career services director Triza Okoth further appealed to the learners to focus on improving their talents and passion.