MIGProgram-1

Help2Save2
Charity Initiative
Help2Save2 Initiative @Help2Save2kenya 254-727236614 www.helptwosavetwo.org
Motivated
Inspired
Growth
Career Guidance
INTRODUCTION
This is a mentorship program, branded #MIGprogram (M-otivated, I-nspired, G-rowth), under the
charity initiative HELP2SAVE2 Charity. This program started last year, and it involves Coaching/training
secondary school students on;-
 Career path guidance,
 Positive attitudes,
 Real life approaches,
 Self-actualization and
 Positive thinking,
Through public talks and group forums, carried out by volunteer community workers, We have visited
close to 5 schools in kivaa Ward, Machakos County, with the support of the local MCA (Thanking him for
his support), where we held talks/forums, and coached the students, to bring out the best out of them,
to make them realize their abilities, talents, potential and passions, which will help them choose the
best careers, that they aspire to pursue.
In my encounters, I came across a number of students who did not have a clue about their career
ambitions. This does not paint a good picture for the entire country because it means that teachers do
not prepare the learners for higher studies or they lack the capacity to offer career guidance to learners.
I recall one learner declaring that she does not intend furthering her education because she comes from
an impoverished family. How many of these learners know the existence of the HELB? Is the Department
of Education doing enough to encourage students to study at institutions of higher learning? The reality
is, poverty should never stand in the way of students while funding schemes like HELB exist.
I am of the view that such topics should be covered in career exhibitions whereby public institutions of
higher learning and funding agencies are invited to provide information about their programmes to
learners.
Further education and training colleges should also encourage learners to enroll with them in order to
reduce the influx of learners to the universities. Learners need to be made aware that FET colleges also
offer programmes that could drive the growth of our economy. These programmes, which most of them
are referred to as ‘scarce skills’, have the potential to equip them with the necessary skills to drive the
economic growth of this country in future. This will help turn South Africa into a country which will no
longer import skilled professionals.
Life Orientation teachers should take up the duty of career guidance. In addition, the government
should deploy career counsellors to schools to offer career guidance to learners on a full-time basis. If
government cannot afford employing career counsellors, it is best to have at least one career centre
that will cater for schools in a specific region. In order to realise this, government should collaborate
with communities, the private sector, civil society organisations and other stakeholders.
MIG Sponsored by Help2Save2
Charity Initiative

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Charity Initiative
SUMMARY
ITS sad that our education system does not adequately prepare the students for the careers they aspire
to join, many know very little about the careers they purport to covet. Students who score straight As
often say they want to pursue the traditional mainstream courses, , I.E Law, Medicine, Engineering etc,
but does their talents, passion and life interests adequately rime with the same? Hardly do you get such
performers desiring to be teachers/lecturers/ sociologists or anthropologists, yet these too are fulfilling
careers.
Needless to say many parents play an active role in the career decisions of their children, It is every
parent’s dream to see their child prosper in life, and most of them, choose the mainstream courses for
their children, because they are perceived to have better pay, but being no career experts, they end up
misleading their children. Some parents have even been accused of seeking to realize their stillborn
dreams through their children by pushing them towards certain career directions, this is very wrong, but
the students will always follow their parents unless something is done to empower their individual
choices
On his ‘schools should take the issue of career guidance for students seriously’ column, (March 14,
2015) Simon Gicharu (Founder, MKU) wrote ‘In the mad rush for life in fast lane, we overlook critical
issues that underpin wise career choices. Nobody begrudges any student big dreams,,,,However, it is
downright wrong to select a career solely based on monetary promises’ (Sin)
Gicharu, having been in the teaching career for so long, must have a greater knowledge and must have
noticed how the university students are losing focus, passion and enthusiasm of the courses they chose,
not because they are academically challenged, but because their passions, talents and interest lie
elsewhere
CAREER expert, and renowned public speaker, Josphine Munroe says the key to making your career
work for you is to uncover your hidden desires and secret ambitions. Its not uncommon to hear of a
student who studied engineering only to discover that their talent and passion was in journalism, or
even swimming. Often students parachute into college figuring they will determine their career goal
along the way–an expensive, and often ultimately unproductive, tactic.Young students overwhelmed
with the task of making major educational and career decisions often don’t take the opportunity to
understand what makes them tick and identify the courses that can keep them ticking academically
THIS can be cured in early stages of schooling, by proper and adequate career guidance. We need to
start monitoring students from upper primary and secondary schooling, through colleges to determine
what career suits them. And many career experts will echo my words that this exercise as much is
needed in schools, its lacking.

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CASE STUDIES
Anthony Spadafore of Pathfinders, Washington, D.C.-a career design consulting firm, says “I studied
electrical engineering and was in the field for years, but kept falling down the ladder. After getting the
results of my assessment, I learned that I was more fascinated by people than machines. The power of
my experience made me passionate about helping others find their true niche instead of languishing in a
mismatched career. The conventional wisdom that ‘you can do
anything you want if you try hard enough’ is leading most people
down the wrong road,” he says. “Our underlying aptitudes and
natural abilities remain steadfast throughout our lives, the same goes
with our weak spots; they’ll always remain no matter how diligently
we attempt to overcome them
FKE Chief Executive Jackline Mugo says her dream was not to be
admitted to the bar, but journalism. She might be very successful
today but she’s not sitting on the seat where her heart is. She might
not be waking up rejuvenated every morning, walking in her office
with a smile, because her heart was born for journalism, though she’s
the only one who can assert to that
Kevin Mulei, DJ and founder Groove awards, in a Sunday Nation article,15th
March, 2015, says ‘I studied
IT and marketing, but love for music drove me away from all that, I went into music and entertainment
because its something am passionate about’
Music band Elani’s Brian Chewya, in the same article, notes ‘I was admitted to the bar last year, but
instead of being in a courtroom, I love being on a platform, entertaining fans’
DJ Hypnotiq, a popular music entrepreneur, studied Finance in Nazarene University, but he realized he
did not have the zest or passion for the same, and today he’s successful because of his current field,
Music
This are just but a few of many people out there who went into the wrong careers, because they never
had the chance or the opportunity for proper guidance in their schooling days.
But why do students do this mistake???

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WHY STUDENTS CHOOSE THE WRONG CAREER
1. Students do not know themselves. Many young people have little or no
ideas about their strengths, weaknesses, values, personality and other
parameters of themselves, which are factors to be considered before
making career choices. They therefore blindly choose professions based
on financial prospects.
2. Students do not understand the world of work. The world of work has changed and always
changing, however young people have little or no ideas about the world of work. The world of
work comprises industries and occupations as well as trends to be observed. When students do
not understand the world of work, they choose any know professional with the hope of becoming
financially successful.
3. Students have little ideas about educational programs and options. There are different types and
levels of the education, with programs of studies. The knowledge of the respective educational
options and programs by students determines their choices of programs of studies either and the
secondary or tertiary level.
4. Students follow traditions and friends. When students do not know themselves; do not
understand the world of work, they follow traditional career path and friends. The follow the
societal norms and choose to do what their peers are doing.
5. There are few professionals to provide career guidance to students. Students need professional
career coaching and guidance for their career development in the ever-
changing world of the 21st
century.
To help students and young people make the right career decisions, career
guidance programmes must be organized in the schools as well as in the
communities. Establishing Career Centers in the schools and communities as
well as training many career guidance professionals will go a long way to
career guidance for the benefit of students and young people as they grow
and prepare adequately for work in the 21st
century.
The youth are fundamental asset of any country, In Kenya, the youth form 40% of the population, and
we need to protect this asset by guiding our young people to fit in the right employment sectors, which
is a plus for the country.
I personally was disappointed by the Cabinet Minister, Kaimenyi, when he was releasing the KCSE
results, there was no mention of the Ministry’s plans towards the candidates who will not get a chance
in joining the University, in his speech, he did not point anything on what we ought to do with revision
of our 8:4:4 to include life skills, ethics and talent empowerment, meaning the government has no plans
to do this vital exercise in the near future, somebody needs to do something, and it should be done
now.

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Godorn Murunga, on his Daily Nation article, (March 7 2015) ‘If there was a time when academia
needed to reinvent itself, this is it. If there was a time when intellectuals needed to agree that their
calling has values and those values should not simply be taught in class but must be practiced in a way
to articulate their ideas, for the better of the society”
Our Educational system is a malnourished curriculum, which is tailored in such a way that success is
equivalent of academic performance, but we need to restructure success to be equivalent to one’s
abilities, potential and commitment towards same
Simply, Education should not be used to academically weigh us, but also to help us in bringing out our
hidden ambitions
THE #MIGprogram ascertains that each of us should be taught to understand what our real talents are,
and then we can confidently pursue the right education for us–one that can bring long-term, sustainable
fulfillment. This is where assessments can help.
The idea is to bring in local like-minded experts on board, to carry out the talks/forums and training. We
intent to establish a continuous undertaking by teachers or administrators, we intent to see that by the
time students are in form four , they’ll have a deep and extensive understanding on what careers they
are cut for. All stakeholders from teachers, parents to the ministry officials need to be involved, let's
have approaches privy to our situation and environment so we can go up the academic ladder in a sound
society. The education system is weak and never equips anyone with financial and Life management
skills .
CHALLENGES IN OFFERING CAREER GUIDANCE
1. One key challenge for this changing service is to move from helping students decide on a job or a
course, to the broader development of career management skills. For schools, this means building
career education into the curriculum and linking it to students’ overall development. A number of
countries have integrated it into school subjects. However, career education remains concentrated
around the end of compulsory schooling. In upper secondary and tertiary education, services focus
on immediate choices rather than personal development and wider decision making, although this
too is starting to change in some countries.
2. Second Challenge is lack of motivated teachers, who are trained to
inspire the student into bringing the best out of her/himself. Teachers
should be concerned with teaching basic skills, decency, critical
thinking and motivating students to think for themselves. If teachers
can't do that in their context, they should evaluate themselves and
their teaching situation.
3. Lack of specialist/ professionals and Institutions. Fortunately, this is not a new idea, there are few
career development professionals/Institutions that are out to help the numerous students develop
and grow professionally. But their penetration has been very slow and very minimal, and Career
Guidance & Counseling units in the educational systems are ineffective to address the growing
need for career guidance for students. Students therefore end up making the wrong career choices,
which eventually affects their future employability, leading to the increasing youth unemployment
in the country.

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ADOPTED TRAINING MODELS
1. What next move? by the U.S Department of Labour and Training, this book will help;-
 Students: “What are you going to do after graduation?" If you haven’t been
asked that question yet, you soon will be. “What’s My Next Move” includes
seven easy steps to help you answer that question by showing you jobs that
match your interests, and how you can continue to develop your education
and skills to advance in your career. The guide shows you how to use free online tools that can
help you as you start along your career path.
 Parents: “What’s My Next Move” is a useful tool for getting teens to think about what it takes to
be prepared to enter college and a career after high school. With the Help #MIGprogram
trainers, parents, guardians, and other mentors are encouraged to use the guide to as a basis for
conversations. The guide helps teens begin a personal career journey that matches his/her
interests, and shows the connection between education and future earnings potential.
 Teachers and Counselors: “What’s My Next Move” is recommended as a guided exercise that
introduces students to a variety of occupations that match their interests, Following completion
of the exercise, students should understand how to use the My Next Move and CareerOneStop
websites to find the skills and educational requirements needed for an occupation.
2. ‘Fire them up’, in this book World renowned Inspirational speaker Carmine Gallo,
proposes a model for becoming an inspiring leader after interviewing more than 50
leaders running some of the world’s most admired brands. This Models, and
others, will be trained to the teachers
3. Refuse to choose- Barbara Sher
With her popular career counseling sessions, motivational speeches, workshops, and
television specials, Barbara Sher has become famous for her extraordinary ability to
help people define and achieve their goals. What Sher has discovered is that some
individuals simply cannot, and should not, decide on a single path; they are genetically
wired to pursue many areas. Sher calls them "Scanners"--people whose unique type of
mind does not zero in on a single interest but rather scans the horizon, eager to explore
everything they see.
In this groundbreaking book, readers will learn:
• what's behind their "hit and run" obsessions
• when (and how) to finish what they start
 how to do everything they love
 what type of Scanner they are, and which tools they need, to know what they are best at

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4. KENPRO (Kenya Projects Organization) Career GuidanceProject, Which helps students
a) To facilitate student’s potentials to equip them with functional
knowledge, values and attitudes, desirable habits and skills needed
by them to cope up with the changes in their environment.
b) To help students in coming up with personal career goals
c) To enlighten students on various career opportunities
d) To assist students in discovering their strengths
5. Power of Positive Thinking- Norman Vincent. This book equips students with
 Advantage of proper chosen career- This cannot be over-emphasized,
because it brings out optimum passion on the career, fulfilling life of an
individual and generally a prosperous and happy society
 Motivated & Inspired Holistic growth- Students and teachers will generally
be taken through motivational and inspirational talks, guided from this book,
that will raise their spirits. The teachers will be trained on how to be great leaders and role
models to the students. Most of these disengaged students are looking for inspiration. They are
searching for meaning and they want to have someone or something to believe in. They want to
make a difference and they’re looking at the teacher—their team leader—for inspiration.
 Positive attitude Coaching- A Positive Attitude Leads to Success and Happiness. A positive
attitude helps you cope more easily with the daily affairs of life. It brings optimism into your life,
and makes it easier to avoid worries and negative thinking. If you adopt it as a way of life, it
would bring constructive changes into your life, and makes them happier, brighter and more
successful.
With the above books/training models, and more to be researched on, #MIGprogram trainers will be
able to have a consistency and discipline in training forums/talks
QUOTE TO STUDENTS
The two most important days in your life are when you were born, and when you realize why’-
Mark Twain
Career development is a gradual process. It takes time, effort, perseverance and planning. But the
concept of career development begins with self-development and self-actualization. If you can’t develop
yourself, there is no question of your career developing at a desired pace. Thus, as counselors, parents,
teachers, friends continue to expose you to different career paths, the final choice is YOURS.
Mbuve Reuben

Help2Save2
Charity Initiative
Nobel Laureate, the late Wangari Maathai, when receiving her 2004 Prize said, “,,I would like to call on
young people to commit themselves to activities that contribute towards achieving their long term
dreams.”
I wish Wangari was here today to recognize this program, because I am engaging myself in an activity I
passionately love, empowering others, and am sure it will be joy to see this program changing many
students lives and making them realize their dreams, just the Nobel heroine requested them to do.
Mbuve Reuben M
Founder / Programs Officer

MIGProgram-1

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