Career guidance for high school students in Kenya is disjointed, with thousands of bright students finishing secondary schools without knowing what the future holds for them regarding career options. It’s a sad state of affairs where over 66% of university students find themselves pursuing courses they do not like. Imagine a student graduating with a course that is not aligned to their future career interests; isn’t that a waste of families’ and students’ resources and time?

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What is Career Choice Guidance in Kenya?

Career choice guidance in Kenya and the world over refers to guiding students on various aspects of academic preparation and eventual career choices. Academic preparation and career choice are intertwined; thus, students must be prepared academically to pursue careers of their interest. An important factor in academic preparation is choosing KCSE subjects in relation to career

For primary school pupils and secondary school students to be able to make informed career choices, the career choices guidance process should start very early in life, for example, in primary schools all through high or secondary schools. This notwithstanding, there has been a gap in the provision of career guidance and counselling in Kenya as more effort is put into the achievement of academic grades at the expense of career guidance.

How Should Career Guidance for High School Students Be Provided?

Provision of career guidance for high school students in Kenya should be robust to help students understand and explore all their career choices at the right time. Secondary school career teachers should be well versed with modern career guidance methods to equip all secondary school students with the attitudes, skills, knowledge, and information required to make realistic academic plans and informed career choices when joining colleges and universities.

Many students making career decisions in Kenya wonder, “How do I choose a career path?” The response to this question is simple yet complex. To make informed career decisions, students must consider the four aspects of career choice, which are:

1. Personal identity: you need to identify your value system, such as passions, interests, skills, and abilities, etc.
2. Explore the world of careers. High school students in Kenya can only make informed career choices if they know the available careers. You cannot pursue a career that you don’t know exists. So exploring career opportunities is crucial in career choices
3. Seek career guidance. Making career choices independently can be challenging, so it is advisable to seek career guidance from counsellors and mentors. Mentors and career advisors can simplify the complex process of deciding what and where to study
4. Decide on your career. Making a career decision is easier once you have the right information and guidance from mentors.

Types of Career guidance for high school students in Kenya

There are various ways career guidance can be provided for students in secondary schools in Kenya. Some of them include career talks, visits to industries and universities, as well as timely access to reliable career information.

1. Career talks

A career talk is a vocational-related communication between teachers to students, college students to high school or primary school students, and professionals to students, among others. Career guidance talks in schools empower students with the information, knowledge, skills, and inspiration needed to make better choices about the future. Our team offers one-on-one career talks to inspire all students for a brighter future.

2. Visits to colleges and universities

Visiting a training institution such as a vocational training centre, colleges,, or universities can inspire students to plan for their futures. Students can also visit companies to help them link what they learn in school with real-life situations.

3. Career information

Access to career information is one of the fundamental factors that help high school students in Kenya make informed career choices.  We provide easy to use information materials that offer career guide for secondary school students to help them make informed choices. The career information is delivered through various channels; online chats, career guidance in Kenya pdf, booklets, career compass wheels among other varieties.

4. Impartial career guidance

Students can have access to career information but still be confused on which career to pursue; at this point, impartial career guidance is vital. Career guidance support can help high school students identify the most popular career choices, such as teaching, computer science, architecture, medicine, and engineering, just to mention a few.

Importance of Career Guidance for Students

While career guidance practice is a crucial undertaking for students’ success after school, it is mostly undervalued in Kenya and Africa. The significance of career guidance is noted in the workplace and the success of young people. Professional career guidance helps students choose careers that suit their individual interests and abilities. Well-chosen careers are the epitome of successful career growth and personal development.

Considering the impact of career guidance towards vocational growth and personal development, it is worthwhile to say that vocational guidance should be offered to students from a very young age to help them get career and educational clarity and inspiration regarding the future they want.

Conclusion

Career guidance for high school students in Kenya should be given to children from preschool to familiarise children with careers from a tender age. When students are informed and guided about careers from a tender age, they can learn subjects and careers that will lead to their future success. Our team provides expert career guidance all over Kenya to help secondary school students make informed career choices. To learn more about our career guidance materials that can benefit you, click here.