Calls for students to exploit Career Expos

Musa Zimunya

WINDHOEK, 19 JUNE – Members of Namibia’s youth demographic have been urged to partake in Career Expos, as such platforms could have numerous internship, employment and mentorship opportunities.

President of the Namibia National Students Organisation Ester Simon was speaking at the Namibia Career Expo 2018, where she cemented the importance of creating contact with professionals on the ground.

“We urge our fellow youth/student graduate seeking internship and employment opportunities to come attend and partake in the 2018 Career Expo. Its important to come research on business ideas, and to come submit CV’s to potential and possible future employees, and or come for study opportunities in the form of bursaries,” she said.

According to Simon, Expo’s have been a valuable window of opportunity and networking for critical aspects. One such is offering relevant information on a wide range of career options and dispensing relevant and strategic tools that prepare learners and students for leadership and success.

She added that this initiative has been a rare opportunity for students and graduates – as job seekers – to meet potential employers and working professionals for advice, inspiration and motivation.

Simon explained that the Expo had served as a wealth of information for career guidance, in so far as helping learners and students conduct research.

“It has also enlightened students about employment opportunities, bursary offers, priority and diverse careers in different and important fields and areas of further study,” she said.

With regards to information, Simon reiterated that the Expo had been a critical component of facilitating information dissemination.

“It is a central theatre of information, education and empowerment, with consistent success in facilitating information and career awareness platforms, introducing learners and students to new possibilities and connecting businesses, organizations and industrialists to communities, families and future leaders.”

The NANSO leader regarded the Career Expo as a bridge of generational mentorship, emphasising how it acted as a skills-transfer vehicle between business agencies and school community.

Turning to the needs of communities and schools, Simon said there was much work to be done to cater for those particular pillars of society.

“Given our socio-economic state of affairs and the state of education and challenges of inequalities, we may bask in the glory of success, but must not forget that there’s much more work to be done. This approach will ensure there is continued growth of the Expo, to meet the ever growing needs of our communities and schools.”

She called on volunteers to facilitate capacity-building and growth of the Expo.

“Let’s organize and mobilize resources that will support decentralizing the expo’s opportunities nationally. We need to lead an inclusive and proactive campaign that will result and ensure opportunities trickle down to all 14 regions, from Kunene region to !Karas region, from Erongo region to Zambezi region and from Omaheke to Ohangwena region,” she added.

In addition, she said the Expo could look into alternative approaches to ensure equity and equality, all the while availing her organisation’s readiness to help.

“Ladies and gentlemen, our mighty NANSO leadership, is ready to be involved in producing a biennial, National Career Expo Magazine, with printed copies to be distributed to rural based schools, learners, teachers, and families, with content including and largely focused on priority study fields and company exhibitors,” she said.

Moreover, Simon said NANSO was also looking forward to collaborating with the Career Expo team, in order to spearhead public discourse among others to: “determine the direction on addressing the issue of high youth unemployment; matching unemployed graduates with key industrialist, employers and companies; and  strategizing on possible employment opportunities.”

She concluded by encouraging all stakeholders to continue placing efforts in growing the Expo, uplifting people and forwarding the education sector.

“Let’s continue uplifting our people. Let’s keep the support and momentum going by increasing opportunities. Let’s continue having confidence in our future leaders and the education sector.”

musa@namibiadailynews.info