Producing an all-rounded student ready for the job market is a major achievement for any institution. However, it is a process that requires extensive and rigorous training coupled with good mentorship programmes. Mentorship is an important step in effectively molding a young person as it provides a student with the opportunity to develop as an individual, becoming more competent in their roles.
In appreciation of this, School of Bio-Systems and Environmental Engineering (SOBEE) organized a day-long mentorship session for Engineering students. The event, which brought on board JKUAT Alumni, provided the students with invaluable insights in terms of job dynamics, leadership and management skills.
Giving his remarks, Dean, SOBEE, Dr. Joseph Sang, thanked the students and especially the alumni for availing themselves for the event, noting the school had grown tremendously from Agricultural Engineering Department offering Diploma courses and BSc in Agricultural Engineering to Biomechanical and Environmental Engineering, famously BEED to the current School of Bio-Systems and Environmental Engineering (SOBEE).
“This change has enabled us as a faculty to be abreast in terms of providing relevant and competitive programmes to our students. We believe adapting to the current market demands will be a prudent step in equipping our students with the requisite skills to make them attractive to potential employers,” asserted Dr. Sang.
One of the speakers of the day, Ms. Mary Njue, Chief Executive, Epicenter Africa Limited, a company that provides sustainable power and clean water solutions to the masses, challenged the students to leverage on the digital platforms and use them to their advantage.
“Ensure you are ready to build networks that will help you in shaping you career course. Align your interest with those of the companies you may seek employment opportunities in,” exhorted Ms. Njue.
Marion Matonya, a fourth-year, Bio-systems and Engineering student, said the mentorship event had impacted her positively in terms of giving her in-depth knowledge on the job opportunities available.
“Interacting with JKUAT alumni has been an eye-opener on the importance of building meaningful networks and soft skills. I am grateful for the organizers of this event. I hope for more such events in the future,” said Matonya.
The event saw various alumni share their experiences as a means of encouraging and giving the students a wider picture of how they too can curve their own niches in the industry and build impactful careers in the future.
Source: Jomo Kenyatta University of Agriculture and Technology