Pumping knowledge and expecting excellence in exams is no longer a workable empowerment strategy in this 21st Century. As such, the best gift institutional managers can give to students under their care is helping them to discover their appropriate strategic direction in life, as they continue learning.
That naturally improves their attitudes, thus avoiding mental anguishes. It also helps them to avoid being influenced by peer pressure and environmental circumstances. The alternative is increased indiscipline levels, occasioned by stress related empowerment challenges, which if unchecked lead to destruction.
More still, do you recall this feedback that has been shared in the past? “I notice that you have adequately dealt with career issues that I have found with students, over the years. You have also given good advice on lost dreams caused by parents, who force their children to pursue the courses they themselves missed out,”.. wrote Professor Jamila Hassanali of Pwani University, Kilifi on 08/10/2018. Having seen our concept ( Career Dynamics in the 21st Century) online, she secured a hard copy of the same, thus the interesting feedback.
Based on these observations, rarely do we provide specific guidance on careers during seminars or personalized coaching sessions. It is not that we have any challenges in doing so. Rather, we find it easier helping people to make decisions themselves, which they will eventually be accountable to.
As such, out role is to open their minds and help them think outside the box. Under such circumstances, they are able to visualize the opportunities ahead, based on their own personalized situations. That way stress levels remain checked.
However, we were this week put to test though indirectly, by one institutional manager, who has been in this forum since inception. As we waited for schools to normalize, a call came in from the institutional manager last Sunday afternoon.
Inst. Manager: (After introducing herself). Do you conduct career guidance on a one on one basis?
Me: Yes we do, whenever time allows.
Inst. Manager: In my neighborhood, there is a young man in the form 4 class of a Private school. During mid term, they came home with forms which they are supposed to fill the desired degree courses, as they resume school.
Me: So, what is the problem?
Inst. Manager: The parents can’t help him to decide and thus require professional advice.
Me: If they are interested, tell them our terms (which I explained), and that a 2 hours session will only be possible on Monday afternoon.
Inst. Manager: Ok. Let me pass the details and I believe they will call you soonest possible.
Shortly, the call came in from the boys mother, who confirmed dispatching her son to an agreed venue on Monday at 2.00 pm. In order to ensure that the engagement was irreversible, the lady sent the coaching fees the same Sunday. Eventually, Evans, the youngster (not real name) arrived on Monday as agreed.
After Evans revealing his school, KCPE grades, general performance in high school, it was time to undergo the coaching process on a step by step basis. But Evans, what have you been planning to become after school? I wondered.
Evans: My aim is to become an Engineer after school.
Me: Why so?
Evans: I love maths as well as creating things here and there.
Me: Ok. We will before the session ends confirm exactly how you are aligned.
After taking Evans through the principles of success, empowerment challenges and finally exactly what he personally needs to do, it was time to assess himself. During the process, Evans revealed that he naturally loves and excels in Maths and Chemistry, but has challenges in physics.
Instantly, it was clear that Evans can never become an excellent Engineer. However, most people would advise him to work hard and perform better in Physics so that he can still become an Engineer. In our view, Evans could still become an Engineer, but a mediocre one for that matter as is quite common.
On the other hand, Evans is quite good in History and Music, average in English and Biology, but challenged in Kiswahili. Since, the session was meant to help Evans to derive a solution, I felt quite challenged, with regard to helping him make specific choices.
Eventually, I provided Evans with good tips on the careers he is most likely aligned to, subject to having more discussions with his parents. Upon arrival home, Evans was full of praise of his experience and eventual tips provided.
On Tuesday 23rd Nov 2021, we received a copy of a filled form on the choices eventually made regarding Evans’ expected university education. I couldn’t help but to call the mother to find out how the choice was arrived at.
” We googled the opportunities available based on the tips you had provided,” replied the elated mother. Evans now knows not only his likely empowerment pathway, but also the university, where he is like likely to pursue his studies next year.
What in your situation as a teacher could you advice a student who excels in Maths, good in Chemistry, History and Music, but largely average in all the other subjects? What of the students under your care? How WELL are you helping them towards aligning with their purpose in life? Are you aware that this approach can reduce the still ongoing destruction? Just a thought anyway.
FYI
Our empowerment mission is till continuing. Out of the 12 counties that we have so far conducted seminars in different schools, Nairobi is still leading on our list, followed by Kiambu County. Machakos is seemingly the third in Line. Nyeri and Muranga also follow closely. Others include Nakuru, Laikipia, Kirinyaga, Tharaka Nthi, Meru, Nyandarua and Embu Counties.
In the meantime, a Machakos School that embraced our ideas through their 2020 form 4 class in March 2020, is at it for the second time, based on the excellent achievements first time. WE will be conducting the same “Creating the Future Today Seminar” for the current form 4 class, of the same school on 28th November 2021. More institutions are still welcome for our unique 21st Century Empowerment Strategy.
Rgds
Mwangi Wanjumbi (MKIM)
Personal Empowerment Coach
Seasoned Speaker/Consultant Trainer on Strategy, Performance, Change Management and Leadership.
Competency Based Curriculum-CBC Architect
Author of 1. KICD approved Career Dynamics in the 21st Century, 2. Living Beyond Survival:No More Tiptoeing in Life
- The 21st Century Student:Are You Creating The Future Today? Also, Retired 5 Year Monthly Strategy Columnist (2013 – 2018) for The SME Today Magazine Phone 254772516210
Recent Comments