Career development professionals have advised students of Gulu University to set career goals that are realistic and achievable within the short term as they prepare to transition into the job market.
The call was made on Wednesday during the 14th annual National Social Security Fund (NSSF) Career Expo for students held at Gulu University under the theme “Discovering your Purpose.
Kevin Anena Okumu, a social worker and keynote speaker at the event says many times students make big and ambitious plans that are unachievable in the shortest time after the University.
According to Akumu, career plans should be realistic adding that students ought to set them up in phases to save time, lower budget and anticipate expectations.
She also cautioned students against banking their hopes on spiritual leaders for favors of getting jobs through prayers without putting up any job-seeking plans.
Rhona Kyomuhendo, Acting Head of Procurement at NSSF however told students the need to adapt to innovative ways that set them apart from their counterparts in terms of skills.
Kyomuhendo says students should be able to discover their purpose in life by being innovative owing to the complex and uncertain current working environment.
During the engagement, the students were equipped with skills and knowledge to increase their employment and entrepreneurship opportunities as well as financial management skills. The initiative also aimed at improving the students’ saving culture both at school and in their future careers.
Osbert Asimwe, the Regional Compliance Team leader in charge of the Northern Region noted that the engagement will positively impact the lives of the students in redefining their purposes in life.
“We believe that with the information we shared today, the students will become different, they will have more open minds and flexibility to overcome any changes that come both in their academic and work life,” says Asimwe.
This year’s expo started on April 3 at Makerere University Business School. The Expo will run until the 26th of April 2024 in various universities across the country under the theme, “Discovering your Purpose”.
Over 5,000 students from nine universities across the country are expected to participate in the expo. Participating universities include Makerere University Business School, Makerere University, Kyambogo University, Kampala International University, Uganda Martyrs University Nkozi, Uganda Christian University Mukono in the central region, Gulu University in the north, Islamic University of Uganda in Mbale and Bishop Stuart University in Mbarara, western Uganda.
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