*****The exercise conducted between 14th-17th August 2024 was meant to furnish students with information to enable them make proper decisions and build successful career paths. It was funded by the Carnegie Corporation of New York through the Directorate of Research and Graduate Training under the Early Career Academics Fellowship for Makerere and other Public Universities.
Overview
Many times students miss out on their dream courses at University due to lack of guidance. Several students miss out on their preferred programmes/courses due to wrong choice of subjects at A’ Level. Additionally, the majority of students tend to believe that they cannot succeed in life if they are not admitted to specific programmes like those in the medical and engineering fields. Others may not proceed with education after certain levels due to lack of knowledge of career options, and the financing/sponsorship schemes available.
Preparing students to build successful career paths
To bridge the information gap, and demystify the myths around the Bachelor of Science Programme that is perceived to be flat with no job prospects, the School of Biosciences at the College of Natural Sciences (CoNAS) embarked on a programme to offer career guidance to teachers and students in secondary schools across the country. Under the programme, Academics from the College offer guidance on the different universities and tertiary institutions in the country, the programmes offered and the opportunities they present, requirements for admission to specific programmes, and the process of building successful career paths.
Career Guidance in Secondary Schools in Gulu District
On 14th-17th, Academics from the School of Biosciences with support from the Carnegie Corporation of New York through the Directorate of Research and Graduate Training (DRGT) under the Early Career Academics Fellowship for Makerere and other Public Universities, conducted career guidance in seven schools in Gulu and Amuru Districts namely: Sir Samuel Baker S.S, Layibi High School, St. Joseph’s College, Layibi, St. Mary’s College Lacor, Gulu High School, Gulu Secondary School, and Restore Leadership High School. Led by the Head, Department of Zoology, Entomology, and Fisheries Sciences at CoNAS, Dr Godfrey Kawooya Kubiriza, the team guided the students on a number of issues including the universities and tertiary institutions in the country, the programmes offered at University; planning university education; essential, relevant and subsidiary subjects required for admission to specific programmes; career opportunities presented by the programmes, the different financing/sponsorship schemes for higher education; career options for those who are not in position to continue to the next levels after UCE and UACE; the importance of discipline and soft skills in building successful career paths; building competence and employable skills; decision making; collaboration and teamwork; innovation; and honesty, reliability and dependability.
Students were also enlightened on the importance of self-evaluation as they work towards building successful career paths. “You need to be aware of your strengths and weaknesses before you take on certain programmes. For example, if you wish to join the field of medicine, you need to be fearless, patient, with integrity to keep patients’ information confidential. If you want to pursue a course in Fisheries, you should be in position to swim, if you are the kind who fears water, this is not the field for you,” explained Dr Kubiriza while addressing the students.
In his remarks, Dr Kubiriza appreciated the Carnegie Corporation of New York for funding the programme.
Key concerns, issues arising, and recommendations from the engagements with Head Teachers, Directors of Studies, and students of the Schools visited;
1. Lack of career guidance in schools across the District leading to wrong choice of subjects. When asked about their dream programmes, the majority of students expressed interest in the medical and engineering fields but with no essential subjects for the programmes. A person interested in the Medical and engineering fields should at least have Biology, Chemistry, Physics and Mathematics but majority of the students had combinations like Biology, Agriculture and Geography (BAG), and Geography, Economics, and Agriculture (GEA). It was observed that majority of the students opt for passable combinations with no consideration for eessential requirements for programmes in the fields of their interest.
2. Majority of the career masters in schools were totally ignorant about the essentials for admission into University.
3. The students are locked on to specific programmes like those in the medical and engineering fields due to ignorance about the enormous career prospects presented by other fields especially those in the Biological and Physical Sciences.
3. Ignorance about the career options after each level of education that may lead them to their preferred fields.
4. There is need for regular career guidance at all levels of education to enable students make informed decisions.
5. Retooling career masters is paramount.
6. Lack of self-evaluation before students consider taking on certain programmes.
7. Ignorance about the financing schemes available in the country. Many students just opt out of School.
During the engagement with the Headmaster of St. Joseph’s College, Layibi, Mr. Otti Nyeko Walter, he noted that it was important to form an association of career guidance masters within the District through which they can be regularly retooled.
The Head Teachers and Directors of Studies of the schools visited expressed gratitude for the activity, and called for more sessions to enable them prepare their students better.
Career Guidance team
1. Dr. Godfrey Kawooya Kubiriza- Head, Department of Zoology, Entomology, and Fisheries Sciences, also team leader
2. Dr. Robinson Odong – Department of Zoology, Entomology, and Fisheries Sciences, CoNAS
3. Dr. Joseph Kisakye – Department of Zoology, Entomology, and Fisheries Sciences, CoNAS
4. Dr. Joel Isanga – Department of Biochemistry, CoNAS
5. Dr. Barbara Nerima – Department of Biochemistry, CoNAS
6. Dr. Abubakar Sadik Mustafa – Department of Plant Sciences, Microbiology, and Biotechnology, CoNAS
7. Hasifa Kabejja – Principal Communication Officer, CoNAS
Note: A similar engagement was organized for Biology teachers from selected schools across the country in July 2023. Details at: https://cns.mak.ac.ug/index.php/2023/08/17/mak-conas-moves-to-popularise-the-bachelor-of-science-programme-improve-performance-in-the-subject-of-biology/
