By Tendai Makaripe
HARARE, Zimbabwe — Allan Wilson School brought students, education organisations and career experts together on September 18 for a career and leadership expo aimed at helping examination-class learners make informed decisions about their futures.
Organised by the school’s Interact Club, the programme focused on a problem many students face as they approach the end of secondary school: making major academic and career choices without enough information.
Some learners, for example, may choose unsuitable Advanced Level subject combinations. Others may pursue university programmes or education pathways without fully understanding where those choices could lead.
The expo therefore gave students an opportunity to engage directly with professionals and organisations offering education and career guidance.
Students from Queen Elizabeth School, Girls High School Harare and Monte Rosa Group of Schools attended the programme.
For Leetasha Chimbalanga, a Monte Rosa student and women’s quota representative in the Child Parliament, the programme highlighted the need for young people to prepare deliberately for the future.
“I learnt that I should be passionate about things that help me build my career,” Chimbalanga said.
She also said discussions about artificial intelligence opened her eyes to changes taking place in the world of work. As technology advances, she said, young people must continue developing their skills to remain relevant.
Guest of honour Tadzi Madzima, founder of Ignite Youth Organisation and a communications and youth-development practitioner, said access to reliable career information had become increasingly important.
“The world has changed significantly, and they need to get adequate information to navigate their journeys,” Madzima said.
She added that young people need to understand the opportunities available to them, the challenges they may encounter and how their talents can fit into a changing world.
For that reason, Madzima called for more career guidance programmes for young people.
Outgoing Allan Wilson Interact Club president Cosmas Chipungu said the club organised the expo to help students learn from professionals and organisations with relevant expertise.
“Making career choices is a significant part of a student’s life. If not properly done, it can be disastrous,” Chipungu said.
He added: “We learnt that if we don’t make these choices correctly, we might live a life of regret.”
Sky Global Education was among the exhibitors and shared information on studying abroad, scholarships, university applications and visa processes.
Interact Club member Delroy Paeremanzi welcomed the participation of the different schools and exhibitors. He said their presence allowed students to seek information directly from organisations working in education and career development.
Meanwhile, Interact teacher Patricia Nyamatendedza said the turnout showed that students were eager for more guidance on their academic and professional futures.
“Students came in their numbers, and the feedback I am getting from them is amazing,” Nyamatendedza said.
She said many participants reported that they had learnt from the interactions and hoped similar programmes would continue.
Nyamatendedza also wished students well in their national examinations. She urged them to remain focused, study hard and maintain their faith as they prepare for the next stage of their education.
