Just about 2 weeks ago, a senior officer from a public University made contacts. He had intentions of engaging us for an empowerment session for soon to graduate 4th year students. On what areas do you want them to be empowered? I wondered.
Officer: We are very concerned about the continued unemployment of graduates. Perhaps guiding them on how to write their CVs (Curriculum Vitae) could be helpful.
Me: Have you read Career Dynamics in the 21st Century and Living Beyond Survival which were acquired for your department a a few years ago?
Officer: Actually, that is what led me to calling you.
Me: I am sure you have grasped the insights on how empowerment should work in this 21st Century.
Officer: Yes, I have and that is why I thought you could provide some guidance.
Me: Between 2016 and 2017, when Career Dynamics in the 21st Century was quite new, I was engaged in a number of universities for students’ empowerment sessions.
Officer: At what level were the students?
Me: On two occasions, I was addressing 3rd and 4th year students during their career day sessions. In another case, the students had completed studies and were undergoing the gigantic task of securing very scarce jobs. My observations on both occasions were quite disturbing.
Officer: Why so?
Me: As clearly indicated in Living Beyond Survival (The Paradox session), I realized that disempowerment of University Students was highly entrenched at those levels. As such, attributing joblessness to job search inability can only be an excuse.
Officer: Are you suggesting that it is best to address career issues in universities, while students are in the first year.
Me: Precisely. The good news is that I am variously engaged to empower students while in secondary schools. But, how many students do I reach in secondary schools?
Officer: I had not seen it that way. I will share this with my colleagues and probably contact you at a later date.
Me: You are most welcome.
Why share this? Most Kenyans will rush into providing a proposal whenever such opportunities present themselves. It is after all, an opportunity to make some few coins. However, why focus towards making some money, knowing very well that there may be no worthwhile value associated with the desired service/solution?
On 17th May 2017, I was invited to make a one hour presentation during a HELB conference at Manzoni Lodge, Machakos County. There were 300 participants from both Public and Private Universities. They included 100 student leaders, 100 Finance Officers and 100 Deans of Students.
My presentation happened just before tea break. During the break, I was engaged by one Dean of Students, who was a professor. Prof: We had heard you clearly. However, universities develop courses based on prevailing market needs. Why insist on following of natural orientations?
Me: Thank you Prof. for the revelations. But, did you study Biology in high school?
Prof: Yes indeed, what about it?
Me: If so, can you recall a Russian by the name Pavlov who was raring dogs?
Prof: Yes indeed. He was ringing a bell in the evening and the dogs were salivating, in anticipation of delivery of food.
Me: Do you recall that dogs were still salivating even if food was not delivered?
Prof: Yes indeed and that seemed to be quite confusing.
Me: That is true because the dogs had already been conditioned. Do you know that is how you condition students when you follow market needs? When change happens, long after school, they get completely lost.
That was quite unexpected by the professor and all he did was to immediately acquire our publications for clearer understanding of our bottom up empowerment strategy. Ever since, we have never accepted any invitations from universities during their career days.
Nevertheless, we will be ready and willing any time the focus is on first year students, as oppossed to 3rd and 4th years. In any case, we never avoid empowering form 4 classes, just before heading to universities, isn’t it?
FYI
Your vote will determine the direction of the education system and other issues of interest in this great nation. Just Vote wisely on Tuesday 9th August 2022. Failure to vote will mean voting for your personally undesirable candidate.
Rgds
Mwangi Wanjumbi (MKIM)
Personal Empowerment Coach
Speaker/Trainer/ Consultant on Strategy, Performance, Change Management and Leadership.
Seasoned Trainer of Trainers
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
Welcome to our YouTube Channel under Mwangi Wanjumbi – Empowerment Forum
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