Career guidance in Kenya is a neglected aspect of the education system. It’s very likely to have many students finish secondary schools in Kenya without knowing the careers they want to pursue. Career guidance is important to students; thus it must be given the emphasis it deserves. Giving students appropriate career guidance ensures students are supported to pursue careers aligned to their academic abilities and vocational interests.

What is the status of career guidance in Kenya?

It’s quite sad to say that career guidance in Kenya is very disjointed. While the ministry of education has policies and guidelines on how the career guidance should be done; lack of resources and manpower make it difficult to conduct career guidance effectively. The 8.4.4 students are the major culprits of this situation. Things might change for the CBC learners.

According to a 2012 research conducted by research firm Gallup Africa, the statistics regarding career guidance in Kenya are startling. For instance, 90% of school-going children in Kenya need access to appropriate career information and guidance.

Over 63% of students in institutions of higher learning are dissatisfied with the course they were called to study.  Each year, hundreds of thousands of students choose courses, unaware of how the course they choose can affect their future career growth and personal development. For instance, when I was making my course choice many years ago, I wasn’t sure of the magnitude of the decision I was making, bearing in mind I was still a teenager.

Over 70% of professionals in the job market are dissatisfied with the tasks and nature of their careers. This is directly linked to the fact that over 63% of students don’t like what they are studying. So, this dissatisfaction is transferred to the labour market.

More than 67% of 15- 34 year olds are unemployed. This age group accounts for 35% of Kenya’s population. So, indeed, the lack of career guidance among Kenyan young people has contributed immensely to the current state of unemployment and job dissatisfaction for those already employed.

Benefits of career guidance in Kenya

The benefits of timely career guidance for high school students can never be underestimated. Considering the career guidance challenge indicated above, career guidance in Kenya should be done holistically. Career advisors should give students the information, and competencies needed to find satisfying career options.

Career guidance and advising services should be started at a very young age. Many students seek career guidance when they are selecting a course or joining college. This should not be the case. Career guidance can help students to perform well in their academics as they can link what they study in class and their future career choices.

Career guidance helps candidates find the best career aligned to their abilities and interests. As indicated in the Gallup’s study of 2012, many professionals are dissatisfied by the jobs they are doing. This is because, they made the wrong career choices due to lack of career guidance. Receiving good career guidance can help find the right career, the first time.

Career guidance creates motivated and efficient work force. If you love what you do, you can be very motivated in the workplace. This translates to innovation and faster career progression in the workplace. Candidates who make wrong career choices waste a lot of time resolving wrong career choices.

Final thoughts

Vocational guidance is a crucial service that helps young people find the right career options. Unfortunately, career guidance in Kenya is a neglected aspect needing immediate interventions. Adequate career counsellors and resources are needed to provide effective career guidance to support students career pathway decisions.

Advanced career guidance tools such as psychometric tests can identify student’s interests, values and personality which are critical factors in making informed career choices. If career guidance in Kenya can be done this way, many students would be supported to make informed career choices. Parents and guardians should also play an active role to support their children in career choices.