Author produces dictionary to help students choose careers

By PKEMOI NGENOH

KCSE examinations results are now out. This marks the beginning of the hard part of deciding which career to pursue for the former students.

While the initial career choice was actually made in Form Two when the students selected their subjects, the real decision-making is inching closer as the results will impose a reality check on the part of the students.

Form Twos on the other hand have just selected their subjects. Some may have done it without taking certain factors into consideration or they may not have been guided before the selection.

Many people end up messing up their lives by falling into wrong careers. It is only after they fail to study in their courses in college or university that they realise that much has been lost. It is not uncommon to hear university graduates whining about high levels of unemployment or they are in jobs which cannot satisfy them. The reason behind all this is that they were not guided by trained personnel.

Many people are not aware that making career decisions is a life-and-death issue. They do not know that it is about understanding one’s abilities, interest, skills, and values and combining this to make a meaningful frame for life.

Different people have different capabilities and potential. Whereas others are good at practical occupations such as engineering, architecture and aeronautics, others are good at arts oriented careers such as music, literature, or fine arts. Every student, therefore, should have a lot of knowledge in various careers before making up their mind on what suits them better.

Mr Martin Kinoti, a professional technical teacher has released a career dictionary, Exploring Career Option A-Z. The book seeks to advise on general career choices among students.

There are more than 200 careers discussed in the book. Each is discussed in detail by its name, meanings, talents, hobbies, capabilities involved, subjects required and employment opportunities and places such people can be employed.

Careers that do not require great academic performance but may depend on talents, hobbies, physical capabilities, and knowledge have not been left out.

“Such careers include the works of such people as cartoonists, referees, instrumentalists, and electricians among others,” writes Kinoti.

Mr Kinoti also says Exploring Career Option A-Z will go a long way in filling this “information gap” and expose students to other possibilities in so far as other careers are concerned.

The book also gives detailed information on key areas such as desired academic qualifications, university/college entry requirements, required competencies, availability of opportunities, work environment, and even expected salary among others.

Exploring Career Option A-Z is written in simple language which makes it suitable for learners at all levels of education.