"Choose a job you love and you will never have to work a day in your life"
This Quote is often attributed to Confucius, an ancient Chinese philosopher. However, there is some debate about its true origin, and it's possible that the quote has been misattributed over time.
The meaning of this quote is that if you pursue a career or job that you are passionate about and genuinely enjoy, it won't feel like work in the traditional sense. When you love what you do, it becomes more than just a means to earn a living; it becomes a source of fulfillment, happiness, and purpose.
In such a situation, the daily tasks and challenges associated with your job are not burdensome but rather enjoyable and fulfilling. This perspective encourages individuals to prioritize their passions and interests when choosing a career path, as it can lead to a more rewarding and satisfying life.
The notion that numerous individuals invest 2 to 6 years in college or university pursuing courses they might never apply in their careers is a widely recognized concern. In our work at Techinva Kenya Limited, our primary focus is on promoting the advancement of careers, accelerating businesses, and facilitating community development among women in Kenya.
Within the scope of our activities, we have frequently encountered two key reasons explaining why this phenomenon is prevalent. Firstly, many individuals, including women in Kenya, lack access to comprehensive career guidance and counseling, resulting in their selection of courses or majors driven by limited information or societal pressures. This often leads to a misalignment between their educational pursuits and their career aspirations.
Secondly, some parents and guardians compel their children to follow traditional or socially expected roles, which may not align with their individual interests or career ambitions. Consequently, what they initially study in college may not correspond with their ultimate aspirations, creating a disparity between their educational background and their desired career trajectory.
However, the real issue lies elsewhere. This year, the Kenyan government acknowledged a disheartening fact: out of the 881,416 students who took the KCSE exams in 2022, approximately 600,000 did not submit applications for enrollment in universities or colleges. Curiously, no official explanation has been provided to account for this sizable number of non-applicants.
Nonetheless, some argue that learners from marginalized communities faced financial constraints, unable to afford the Kshs.1500 application fees. Additionally, others lacked access to digital technology, including computers and the internet, which are essential for online application processes.
Even more disheartening, many who did apply did not secure placements or the courses they aspired to pursue. The Kenya Universities and Colleges Central Placement Service (KUCCPS) Chief Executive, Mercy Wahome, explained that some candidates failed to secure their preferred courses due to intense competition, as placements are determined on a merit-based system.
In our work as Capacity Building Consultants at Techinva Kenya Limited, we play a pivotal role in addressing these challenges by offering career guidance, advocating for customized education and training programs, and fostering continuous skill development.
This empowerment process enables women in Kenya to bridge the gap between their educational background and their career aspirations. It equips them with the tools needed to make well-informed educational decisions and navigate the obstacles they may encounter while pursuing their professional objectives.
When guiding learners through the KUCCPS application process, we advise them to follow these steps:
1. Identify at least three courses that align with their career aspirations, ensuring that upon graduation, they can pursue a job they are truly passionate about – one that makes work feel like a joyful endeavor.
2. Identify a minimum of two colleges or universities where they would feel comfortable spending 2 to 6 years of their lives, while also enjoying their overall living experience.
3. On the KUCCPS portal, select their first-choice university and search for the three courses they identified, prioritizing them based on their preferences. If available, add these courses to a virtual "basket."
4. Repeat the same process for their second-choice university. Subsequently, list the selected courses in order of preference and proceed with the application.
By following these steps, learners can make strategic decisions about their education, ensuring that it aligns with their career goals and personal preferences. This approach not only maximizes their chances of securing placements in courses they are passionate about but also helps them embark on a path where work is a source of fulfillment rather than mere labor.
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