UoN Hosts inaugural High schools Career Fair & Expo

The University of Nairobi through the Office of the Dean of Students and Career Services in partnership with Higher Education and Industry Partners in Kenya organized a one day Career Fair & Expo at University of Nairobi Main Campus on Friday November 26, 2021 from 9.00am -5.00pm targeting Form 4 High School Students.

The objectives of the Career Fair & Expo were to support the students in making career choices, inspire them to discover, develop and achieve their full potential. In addition, the Career Fair allowed the students to interact with industry partners to understand the Career Trends in the job market for different career fields.

The University hosted over 400 students from seven (7) High Schools namely Loreto Girls High School – Limuru, Alliance Girls, State House Girls High School, Githiga Boys High School, Damacrest Group of Schools and Lenana School. The students we accompanied by their Career Masters.

The Keynote Address was delivered by the Deputy Vice Chancellor, Academic Affairs, Prof. Julius Ogeng’o who gave a one-on-one mentorship speech on his personal life journey that dates back to 40 years ago when he transitioned from High School to University. Prof. Ogeng’o indicated that the University was delighted to host the students because that was the future generation to take over from the current teaching academic staff and wished the students well even as they make their career choices. He encouraged the students to choose the University of Nairobi as their University of choice during their selection process and enroll in any of the 332 programs the University has to offer. He encouraged the students to think globally and make decisions that will help build our nation and improve their lives in future.

The Dean of Students and Career Services, Mr. Johnson Kinyua welcomed all the stakeholders and students present at the Career fair and Expo and highlighted the mandate of the office which includes offering career advice to high school students. He also emphasized on the need for the students to discover their potential and research on the Career Trends and necessary 21st century   Skills (Communication, Critical Thinking, Problem Solving, Presentation Skills among others) that they should take advantage of to leverage on the available job opportunities both locally and globally.

The students were guided on how to make Career Choices in the fields of Medicine, Engineering, Pure Sciences, Architecture and Law among others by Dr. Fred Otieno, Department of Dentistry, Dr. Geoffrey Okeng’o, Department of Physics and Dr. Collins Odote, Faculty of Law.  

Nancy Soila, Manager, Placement and Career Services from the Kenya Universities and Colleges Central Placement Service (KUCCPS) guided the students on how placement is conducted and how the weighted cut off points play a critical role in determining the program a students is placed to study.

Ephraim Ogunda from the University of Nairobi Admissions Office guided the students on the process of application and processing of student’s admission to the University both for Module I & Module II. Students were also informed of the category of programs offered by UoN.

The students were encouraged to take up Professional Qualification Courses immediately after their KCSE Exams as they wait to join the University to build on their skills portfolio by Dr. Nicholas Letting, CEO, KASNEB and Steve Obuogo, Head of ACCA Kenya & Tanzania.

After the panel discussion, the students had an opportunity to tour the different Exhibitions at the Great Court by Industry Partners who supported the Career Expo. The partners who exhibited include KUCCPS, UoN Admissions Office & Office of Career Services, ACCA, KASNEB, Techno Mobile, Junior Achievement, East Africa School of Hospitality, IHRM, Equity Group Foundation (Equity Leaders Program), Oshwal College, CHRM, National Youth Council, RADA App / O3 Plus Team and eMobilis – Ajira Digital Program.

The UoN Office of Career Services is proud to have hosted this inaugural High Schools Career Fair & Expo. This was a great learning opportunity for the students and there is immediate demand to host another High schools Career Fair & Expo in the near future. The Career Office will plan another event soon to offer the so much needed career advice by High school students to help share their future.