Help for students as career dictionary is published

Form Four students have finished their national exams, and as they await results to join college or university next year, the hard part of deciding which career to study for begins.

The conclusive decision will be made once the KCSE results are out with the reality of what they qualify for.

For many, it won’t be an easy pick. Dilemma, confusion, and mental turmoil are likely to reign.

The selection of a career is a long-term decision. Doing it wrong leads to far reaching consequences.

Students must therefore have sufficient knowledge about the various careers in the market before making up their mind on what suits them better.

That is the knowledge that Mr Martin Kinoto, described as an “advanced professional technical teacher”, hopes to provide through the career dictionary that he has authored specifically for secondary school leavers and college students.

The book, Exploring Career Option A-Z, will be officially unveiled tomorrow in Nairobi at the Technical University of Kenya (formerly Kenya Polytechnic). Former anti-corruption director Prof PLO Lumumba is listed as the chief guest.

DISCUSSING CAREERS

The career dictionary advises on general and specific job issues.

It discusses more than 200 careers and occupations. Each is presented in detail by name, meaning, necessary talents, associated hobbies, and the capabilities involved.

The book further details the subjects required per career, and gives information on the employment opportunities, including the likely sectors and industries in which relevant jobs are found.

Kinoto has not left out in his book, careers that do not necessarily required academic training, but may rely on talents, hobbies, physical capabilities, and knowledge.

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

He states in the Foreword of the book that it will go a long way in filling the “information gap” and expose students to other possibilities in so far as careers are concerned.

It also highlights information, such as the desired academic qualifications, university/college entry requirements, the necessary competences, availability of opportunities, work environment, and even the expected salary, among others.

ALL LEARNERS

Exploring Careers Options A-Z is written in simple English, which makes it suitable for learners at all levels of education.

The book is also suitable for those who have completed school and haven’t figured out what job to pursue.

Even though the book’s formal launch is tomorrow, it is already in a number of bookshops in Nairobi, and in Eldoret town.

The book is published by Impact Press East Africa.