Are Students Loosing Hope In The Corporate World?

By Reagan Nyadimo

The academic wing of Kenyatta University Students Association (KUSA) on 20^th March 2014 organized an event at Kenyatta University Amphitheatre to expose final years to the world of CV writing. The event which was sponsored by Africa Talent Bank, Unilever, Kazi pap and Kenyatta University was scheduled to begin from 9:00am-1:00pm with the main aim of orienting finalist on how well to pass interviews and equip them with the necessary skills to present their cover letters in a way that will put them at a vantage position over other applicants. This noble idea from the academic secretary Dan Mark could not have come at a better time especially now that thousands of university graduates are scrambling for the few available jobs in the civil service.

Sadly, a huge proportion of students decided to skip this event dubbed “Mega Interview Simulation” despite posters and fliers going round the university a week before the event. The theatre that carry close to 3000 students was only filled by 200 finalists. This low turn-out led to the cancellation of the event that was meant to go for two days. Academic secretary and the motivational speaker Steve Obuogo who was also to grace the occasion linked the poor turn-out to the lecturers’ strike that was recently called off. The two both said that majority of students missed the event to attend to cats that were scheduled for Thursday 20, 2014. However, they agreed to hold the same event before students sit for their final examination which is to kick off from 31^st March 2014.

This is not the first time students are skipping an event of such a great magnitude. It was not surprising that Career week experienced the same, as majority of students skipped the days that would have given them an opportunity to interact with their prospective employers only to turn out in large numbers on the last day that is always graced with entertainment. On the contrary, events based on entertainment are famous for attracting a large number of students with culture week topping the list of such events. Other events include comedy nights organized by theatre groups and films where students get intoxicated and engage in immoral behaviors.

If this trend continues then the university and corporate world should be worried as more students will not pursue corporate-type jobs and universities will not attract individuals to do courses tailor made to suite the corporate world.