Monrovia – The president of the African Methodist Episcopal University (AMEU) has cautioned high school students not to choose their career only as a job but for their life and future.
Report by Willie N. Tokpah / 00231777039231 ([email protected])
Speaking at the weekend to a cross-section of students during a career day dialogue, Dr. Jospeh T. Isaac emphasized that Liberia’s job market is becoming competitive therefore, career path must be driven by future needs.
The dialogue was organized by the Monrovia YMCA and was held at its headquarters in Monrovia.
“There are Jobs out there, and there are careers out there but you have to choose whether you want a job or a career,” Dr. Isaac said.
He added that it is time for young students to focus on career development that would provide maximum benefit instead of focusing on jobs.
He said although career and jobs are interrelated, he then outlined that job is more short-term oriented – focused on earning money, but may not provide maximum benefit.
According to him, once high school students choose the right career, it will provide experience and help them remain employed.
“Job focus on earning money but a career, on the other hand, is a series of related jobs in a profession that will provide experience, and helps you to remain employed,” Dr. Isaac suggested.
He cautioned that students do not have to overstay in school to acquire a career but to take advantage of technical and vocational education skill programs.
Dr. Isaac maintains that while the need to choose a career is important, it is significant for high school students to develop interests in networking.
“Jobs tend to offer less future networking opportunities, because, your co-workers may not continue in the same profession as you,” Dr. Isaac said, adding that networking provides a foundation that can empower professional life for many years.
The Liberian educator outlined six cardinal tips in choosing a career: evaluation of interest, assessing professional skills, interpersonal skills, considering lifestyle, speaking with other people and making a positive decision.
Meanwhile, Dr. Isaac said career choice may determine the progress or retrogression of the students, and he encouraged them to make a decision that will not be influenced by others.
According to the coordinator of the dialogue, Lawrence Fahnbulleh, the program forms a part of its power-space project.
He said the project aims at guiding students toward choosing their careers.
Mr. Fahnbulleh also called on youths to begin taking personal initiatives. Fahnbulleh said: “Young people should plan and implement programs and they should also think outside the box for self-development.”
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