By Our Reporter
The 10th edition of the NSSF Career Expo was a big success, benefitting over 4000 students who attended online. The annual event which targets students at higher institutions of learning as well as fresh graduates was held virtually for three days, starting Wednesday, March 24 to Friday, 26, 2021.
The expo featured different industry experts in the business, banking and tech sector discussing different topical issues aimed at opening up students to new opportunities beyond their degrees so they are better prepared for the versatile job market.
During the expo, students were advised to acquire more soft skills as they prepare to enter the employment world. Ron Kawamara, the CEO Jumia Uganda and a panelist during the expo emphasized that soft skills are very important because often it is what employers use to decide whether or not to hire someone.
“What will make a difference for you is the soft skills, and these are not taught in class.” He noted.
Furthermore, the participants were advised to keep learning and acquiring more skills beyond their university degree if they are to stay competitive and relevant in the job market.
Juliana Kaggwa, the Head of Corporate Relations at Uganda Breweries Limited who was also a speaker at the expo said acquiring new skills does not require one to sit in a traditional classroom because one can easily learn online and also by actively seeking out mentors.
This year’s expo was held under the theme, “Repurposing your Career Goals to the New Normal”, in a bid to equip university students with employment and entrepreneurial skills for the “new normal” brought about by the COVID-19 pandemic.
“The COVID-19 pandemic has changed the way we think, work and live. If we needed any proof that technology is now the mainstay for every decision and transaction, the pandemic has confirmed it,” NSSF Managing Director Richard Byarugaba said during the launch of this year’s expo. “Whether you are in formal employment or an entrepreneur, you must harness technology, especially digital technology to be competitive.”
The NSSF Career Expo is a platform for students to network and learn from established industry practitioners for career advice, personal growth as well as extend opportunities to land internship and practice opportunities.
Started in 2011, the expo has reached over 300,000 university, tertiary and vocational institutional students from 18 institutions; and directly impacted over 167,000 students with unique skill sets in the professional job market and business start-up projects.