Empowering Futures: First-Year Students Step into Career Mentorship at FBED

The University of Nairobi’s Office of Career Services successfully hosted the 2025 First-Year Career Mentorship and Student Support Services Sensitization Session for students in the Faculty of the Built Environment and Design (FBED) on Wednesday, November 19, 2025, at Space 108. The session, running from 2:00 PM to 4:30 PM, brought together distinguished speakers, faculty representatives, and industry professionals to guide new students as they begin their academic journey.

The afternoon began with arrival and registration led by the Office of Career Services team, followed by an opening prayer from a student volunteer. Ms. Naomi Nyaboga, Section Head of the Office of Career Services, welcomed the students and underscored the University’s commitment to equipping learners with holistic career preparation from their first year.

The Chair, Department of Architecture, Prof. Robert W Rukwaro, addressed the students, encouraging them to embrace both the academic rigor and creative opportunities that define the Built Environment and Design programmes.

The session then transitioned to a discussion on Student Life on Campus, led by Ms. Lucy Kamau, Assistant Dean of Students for FBED. She highlighted the challenges and opportunities of campus life, including time management, personal responsibility, and the need to proactively use university support services.

A key highlight of the event was the Career Guidance and Mentorship Session, facilitated by two seasoned industry professionals. Mr. Alex Okware, Associate Valuer and Property Manager at GOInvest Property Consultants, spoke on “Making Your Degree Work for You”, helping students understand how their programs, ranging from Architecture to Construction Management, Interior Design, Real Estate, Planning, and Landscape Architecture, link to real-world career pathways.

This was followed by Ms. Esther Wanjiku, Urban and Regional Planner and Research & Advocacy Officer at Women in Real Estate (WIRE), who delivered an insightful presentation on “Beyond the Classroom: Competencies Employers Value”. She encouraged students to develop technical skills, digital literacy, creativity, communication abilities, and a strong work ethic to thrive in Kenya’s evolving built environment sector.

The program also featured a presentation by Ms. Julia Wangari, Project Assistant for the UNESCO O3 Plus initiative, who sensitized students on the University’s ongoing efforts to promote student health, well-being, and safe learning environments.

The event concluded with an interactive Q&A session, moderated by Ms. Nyaboga, where students engaged the speakers with questions on career planning, internships, skill-building, and campus support services. Mr. Shem Mbaabu, Governor of the Faculty, delivered the vote of thanks, appreciating the facilitators, organizers, and students for making the mentorship session impactful.

The afternoon ended with refreshments and networking, giving students an opportunity to interact one-on-one with the speakers and staff. The session reaffirmed the University’s commitment to nurturing well-rounded graduates who are academically prepared and career-ready from their first year.