2015

CAREER DEVELOPMENT
IN UGANDA SETTING
By Geofrey Lusaggi

[CAREER DEVELOPMENT]
This is an original article about career development , that guide individuals on what career
development is , how to choose a career and factors that determine someones career as well
as taking students through entire life of their careers. The article also reminds parents about
their responsibilities in a childs career pass. The article is based on Ugandan school setting

Contents
Career Planning ..................................................................................................................... 4
STEPS IN CHOOSING A CAREER .......................................................................................10
Start Your Future Career ...................................................................................................... 36
The Advantage .................................................................................................................... 36
Apprentices................................................................................................................... 40
Preparing to join tertiary institutions .......................................................................................43
Application into the institution ................................................................................................44
Financial factor ......................................................................................................................44
Time of study .........................................................................................................................45
Campus .................................................................................................................................45
Living away from home..........................................................................................................45
ORIENTATION PERIOD .......................................................................................................46
How to Succeed in College/university ................................................................................... 53
SOCIAL CHANGES ...........................................................................................................63
References
55

About the
Author..
.56

CHAPTER ONE
CAREER PLANING
Career is all about the experience in an occupation one accumulates over a given
period of time or in ones life. Therefore career is concerned with exposure of a person
about a given job or area of work.
Career Planning

Choosing a career is one of the most important decisions a person will ever make.
Unfortunately, many people make career choices without drawing any plan but just
follow the education system as it flows and at the end of it they end up crying of
unemployment and that is when they realise that they would have thought about it
before they took on that academic or vocational line.

That brings us to the importance of career guidance and planning before students
choose a school, college, and subjects or even taking on a particular course or study
programme ultimately.

Parents, teacher and children need to seek for career guidance and career planning.
One of the very best ways to begin this is by taking an initiative to consult all the stake
holders in a childs career path and development. There is no need to leave career

guidance and career planning to chance, therefore schools and parents involve
professionals for proper guidance in career related issues for their students or children.

Facilitating students focusing on the interests and talents will help them have a starting
point that is uniquely about them and their career choice. This is only the beginning of
career planning and career guidance.

Every one on earth has his/her dream right from childhood however, the research I
made on some selected Ugandans showed that 0.2% pursue and develop the career of
their dreams. When still a child, he/she has very big dreams irrespective of his talent
and ability, which is a very wonderful experience which develops childrens interest in a
certain career. One becomes so much inquisitive about that particular field at a very
early age. That is why you find young children who want to become engineers turn their
homes into workshops, collecting all kind of

scrap they come across. The ones who

want to become doctors become so inquisitive about what doctors do in hospitals, the
ones who want to become chefs also manipulate items about cooking. For that case
parents and teachers should provide enabling or conducive environments and possible
assistance for the learners to discover all about their dreams. As it is that a human
being is born with some raw knowledge which is to be manufactured automatically
through self discovery or through teaching learning interaction, so all the opportunities
should be provided for our children by parents and teachers.
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One of the greatest needs of the society today are the individuals who are insightful
enough to transform the nation with purposeful acts through creating meaning out of
their dreams but not by accidents. Another great need of society is visionary parents
and teachers. Human beings, who are intuitive enough to sell people into their own
greatness, need to be insightful to achieve their own dreams. It is always important to
know that Ones career choice affects the rest of his or her life

These are some of the major fields students and their facilitators should think about
during career planning and guidance as well;

1. - Agriculture, Food & Natural Resources

2. - Architecture & Construction
3. - Arts, Audio/Video Technology & Communications
4. - Business, Management & Administration
5. - Education & Training
6. - Finance
7. - Government & Public Administration
8. - Health Science
9. - Hospitality & Tourism
10. - Human Services
11. - Information Technology
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12. - Law, Public Safety, Corrections & Security

13. - Manufacturing
14. - Marketing, Sales & Service
15. - Science, Technology, Engineering & Mathematics
16. Transportation, Distribution & Logistics among others.

These give you a picture of the opportunities that are available which are compared with
the rest of the factors that are considered while making a career decision.

Therefore it is the schools responsibility to articulate and clarify to the students and
parents the above academic and vocational fields. So that students can make relevant
decisions for their bright future.

During the career information search one should know that, there are numerous articles
and books that list what "the experts" predict will be "hot jobs." It is a good thing to look
at those lists to see if any of the careers on it appeal to you, however that information
should not dictate your choice. Its because that information is based on the available
data which might be valid by the time the data was compiled but from the self evident
fact that the world is not static so that data might then not be valid in other periods.
Therefore what is hot this year won't be hot a few years from now.

Let us not do things because others are doing them

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Everyone is different and what works for one person won't necessarily work for another,
even if that other person is someone with whom you have a lot in common. If someone
you know has a career that interests you, look into it and compare the factor of interest
against the other factors considered when choosing a career but do not take it for
granted that it will work for you too.

Choosing career is a great start, but there's a lot more to do after that. A Career Action
Plan is a road map that takes you from choosing a career to becoming employed in that
occupation to reaching your long-term career goals. More training and development has
to be considered and taken on, this will expose and give experience in that particular
field since development is a gradual process.
Career plans help you understand your occupation, your career path, and what you may
personally need to do to develop, advance, or even change your career. The plans can
help you learn more about the careers that are available to someone with your skills and
training and identify the path you need to take to get there.

CHAPTER TWO
CHOOSING A CAREER
This is a very sensitive decision one has to make; it determines ones life time. However
many people take it for granted or lack vision and guidance, hence ending up making
irrational decisions about the suitable careers to pursue.
Actually, choosing a career is a process and you should give it the time it deserves.
Career planning is a multi-step process that involves getting information that is enough
about yourself and the occupations which you are considering in order to make an
informed decision.
Choosing the right career can be a very daunting task especially in a world which offers
a selection of paths, all of which seem to be leading to a golden goal. Penny Loretto
says that Careers can actually build or destroy ones life so it is important to make the

right choice. Career guidance can help you in pursuing the right courses, in the right
colleges or institutes and can guide you in choosing a suitable career.
Choosing a career should not be only one persons decision but many parties like the
child him/herself, parents, teachers/schools and role Models should be involved.
However all students should know that it is not Parents or Teachers and the like to tell
them what career is best for you. Their role is just to provide you with guidance and
facilitation in choosing a career.
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STEPS IN CHOOSING A CAREER

Various scholars have come up with a lot of theories pertaining the steps in choosing a
career, but all in all in this book, I have tried to cite some of the general steps in
choosing a career as shown bellow;

Step one; Establishing your interests and talents

This is a significant step in career development where by a student needs to make clear
study and understanding him/herself. In other words one needs to know what he/she is,
interested in doing and capable of doing as well. This can be done by making a self
assessment through asking him/herself the following questions;

Where do my interests lie?

What do I do well and enjoy?

What kind of personality do I have?

What's really important to me?

What are my values?

This will provide the student with an in depth understanding of ones self in order to
make a firm decision but its you the student to find answers to each of the above
questions.

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Draw on your own life experiences on classes, vocational or co curricular activities or

other opportunities that you may have particularly enjoyed. Remember, this is very
personal and is all about you! Choosing a career can be very satisfying with the right
help.

Step two; Establish your career alternatives

After a clear understanding of yourself identify various alternatives of the careers that
you might be interested in. These are derived from the talents and interests you
possess. Obtain an insiders perspective about the career path you are considering.
Conduct an Informal study through seeking for information from parents, teachers, role
models and books that describe different kinds of work, the typical qualifications needed
and time for various occupations, that relate to your identified career options.
Professionals enjoy sharing their expertise with people interested in the field. Perform
informal interviews with former students/pupils from your school/college to gain their
perspective of the field and to listen to what they have to say. This strategy provides first
hand information from someone currently working in the field and gives you an
opportunity to ask about their experiences as well as potential jobs and what one might
expect if just entering the field.

Step three; Choose the best alternative

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Amongst the many options that you have established in the previous step about your
career, you need now to select the best option. You might learn you don't want to be in
an office environment. Or you might find that your interest in art wouldn't sustain a
career, so you cross those types of subjects or courses off your list. Whatever it is that
you learn about yourself, you're making important discoveries that will help you choose
a good career when the time comes. This is a major component of career planning for
students.

While choosing also make consideration of the factor of resource availability, think
about the resources that are available for you to develop and promote your interests
and talents as far as your career is concerned. This can be sought of in various
perspectives such as;

The nature of the school or institution you are in or you wish to join. All over the country
and the world at large there are schools or institutions that are well known of being
excellent of promoting certain talents and career opportunities i.e. relate the institutions
ability to promote some of your areas of interest. Even thinking of a tertiary institution to
join, consider its ability to promote your talents and interests as far as your career is
concerned besides other factors. This will help you not to fails your career during the
course of execution. Most importantly, keep it all in perspective: You don't have to live
forever with any career decision you make in these phases of student career planning.
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Most people change careers several times during their lives, so the first job you choose
right after college probably won't be your career 15 or 20 years down the road unless
you want it to be. So don't put too much pressure on yourself to make the perfect
decision, and always keep your eyes open, and use all available resources in your
journey to find how to choose a career.

Step four; Choose the subjects or the course

After choosing your best alternative, now think about the suitable subjects or course that
will lead you to achieve your dream career. I still emphasize that this not done in
isolation but after a discussion with your teacher, parents and role models if any. Always
remain thirsty for knowledge about a chosen career. This will accelerate your interest
and love for that particular career.

Wherever you go let it be on your lips and you should never be shy to mention the area
of interest before others. That is when even resourceful people in that particular field will
land on you and facilitate or groom you in one way or another. Let me give you a
scenario; if you went for a seminar and there a Baker with very delicious cakes
packaged them in a black polythene or paper bag and he does not bring them out of
that opaque package better still say that here are some cakes at a thousand shillings
each, how will you (the participants) get to know about the cakes however much you

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might be hungry. The same implies to a career, never think about it in leave it within you
but pour it to the public if you need to succeed.

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PARAMOUNT PARTIES THAT MUST BE INVOLVED IN CAREER PLANNING AND

CHOOSING A CAREER AS WELL

As I mentioned earlier, choosing and planning a career is not a one mans thing, it
involves other parties in order for one to come up with a relevant and firm decision. The
following are the major parties and their roles in career planning.

The student/pupil/child
This is the major party in choosing a career; a child needs to have an inquiring mind and
self understanding of his/her interests, abilities and talents. Many students choose
subjects or courses basing on pressure groups, parents or teachers influences,
ignoring or forgetting their feelings, interests and talents. A childs major role is to look at
his/her feelings, interests and abilities/talents then choose subjects/course that lead to
that career. There is nothing that can empower ones life than his/her self acceptance.
In everything done one to be successful self acceptance should be the first step. As

Tao Te Ching said that knowing more about others is intelligence but knowing yourself
is true wisdom For that matter, whoever takes time and initiative to understand him /her
self, he/she is wise and will always do things that are within his reach.

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I have recorded a lot of complaints from grandaunts that they do not enjoy their jobs
because they were not guided well in exploration of themselves as well as the subjects
or courses they took, yet others were instead the subjects/courses they did were
dictated by their teachers, parents or peers.
A student should have a moment and meditate upon him/her self and ask the following
questions whose answers should be established by the student/child him/ herself:

What do I want to be in future?

What are my interests?
What things can I do best?
What things do I feel like doing?
What are the available opportunities for me to become what I want to become?
What do people say about me?
Who are my role models?
What do my teachers say?
What do my parents and relatives say about me?
Are resources available to facilitate me achieving my goals?

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The greatest challenge among youths today is identity crisis; we always have no idea
about who we are, what we are made up of and what God endowed us with. All of this
can be discovered through self realization and self insight about our make.
It is a responsibility of the individual student/child to change the circumstances of his/her
life as well as changing the feelings of the mind. We should never look for this change
from a distance but just know it is amidst us and always within our means, this change
can start right now and then. We simply need a prototype alter till we discover our true
personalities and identities. The teachers, parents and role models guidance coupled
with our self realisation are just enough to kick start a new revolution in our lives about
the suitable subject/course or jobs for us.
We really need to be realistic to our selves, develop a spirit of self confidence and self
esteem. No one can know us better than ourselves, so all the people we relate or
associate with are just to facilitate our understanding or exploration about ourselves but
should not impose their interests on us. William James once said that the greatest
discovery of my generation is that men and women can change the circumstances of
their lives as well as changing the attitude of their mind.
With information about your interests, you can facilitate or develop a career plan. I
suggest you involve others in your journey and tap into other career planning resources

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as you move forward. Career guidance is a lifelong process. By starting with an

awareness of your personal interests, you can adjust your plan accordingly.

The teacher /school

A teacher/school is another important party in making a decision about career planning
of the student/pupils. Giving an example of a global teachers quality that the
teacher/school is regarded to be the parent of the learner while at school, the teacher is
expected to treat learners as individuals not as a group like most of the teachers do,
treating learners as individuals enables teachers to have an inner understanding of the
child because children are different from each other in terms of abilities and disabilities,
you see even the so called identical twins also differ from one another in one way or the
other.
Therefore, the global teacher is expected to track and maintain a clear record about his
or her learners right from the day the teacher/school commits himself/ herself to
become the learners parent while at school, that is, from the time the students/pupil are
admitted in the school. So the child and parents expect a lot more from the teacher in
as far as changing learners behaviour, attitude and values are concerned.
The global teacher/school should provide an enabling environment to facilitate the
students/pupils explore there talents, abilities and interests. Many learners do not know
their talents and abilities not until they are facilitated to explore them. Therefore, the
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teacher should just enable the learner to understand himself/herself. As Dale Carnegie
said Give a dog a good name and it will behave well. Therefore whatever the
experience teacher/school shares with students/children impacts on their lives forever.
Also the global teacher/school makes a follow up of his/her learners in whatever they do
while at school, off school or even after school. The teacher is expected to be the
source of facts and true information about the learners. I always admire teachers who
are proud of their former students; however the question to them should be: How much
they contribute to their students success?
A teacher should not impose his/her subjectivity, biased mind and emotions about the
Subjects/course or career on his/her learners. The teacher should be objective in the
whole process of advising the student/pupils, that is; based on empirical and factual
evidence about the learner so that an appropriate career is identified, planned and
developed.
The teacher should establish a rapport with the student/pupil and maintain the highest
level of confidentiality as stipulated in the teachers code of conduct. This will enable the
learner to open up to the teacher for proper guidance. Therefore, the teacher student
relationship is a very resourceful event that facilitates making informed decisions about
the learners career.

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Therefore the humanity in the learner should be dignified as Pepe Minambo in his book
of Inspired for Greatness stresses it that when a brilliant person is hopeless, you have

no idea of how much harm he can cause to the society; when a man is hopeless, you
have no idea of how low he can go below human dignity; when a man is hopeless he
completely loses the value of his life and price it as peanut and in that case he
becomes careless and ready to expose his life to risks that even some clever animals
will never dare to venture into.
Let the learners know that they are powerful beyond their imaginations, its a matter of
self identification and always screen whatever comes in ones away or hears and
relates it to their feelings and interests.
Also a school in particular plays a very important part in career development and
guidance which are not limited to;
Prepare career days: Here various teachers are allocated various topics for discussion
before students. The information presented should be inspirational and developmental
about career development. Implying teachers have to prepare well in advance in order
to provide meaningful information which will facilitate learners to make choices and
develop their career.
The children are supposed to be inspired by the school before they expire. Expiration is
a fact about everything beside inspiration. So if teachers fail to inspire these youth to go
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for a greater life, then most of them will settle for an insignificant kind of life.

An

insignificant minded person will not buy any valuable asset for himself/ herself, because
he/she will foolishly go ahead to exchange his property for nothing. Such fellows are a
constant threat to the welfare of humanity.

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THE PARENTS
This is a very significant party in career development; parents must understand their
childrens abilities and interests but not to impose their interests and feelings on their
children. A good parent always listens, feels the heart beat of his/her child, inspires and
facilitates the child to make a clear understanding of him/her. Most parents, having
failed to be successful in a certain career have a high tendency of making their children
become what they desired to become in a bid to satisfy their ego. And most of such
parents are very manipulative to their children in that, they think their children will bring
a consolation to their lost dreams. Many parents compromise their childrens interests
and abilities over their ambitions. Many children complain that they have strong passion
for certain courses but their parents want them to pursue other courses instead.
Therefore parents must consider things that attract their eyes but take on only things
that conquer their hearts in relation to the childrens abilities and interests. So dont
follow your eyes but listen to your heart, because the decision concerning the childrens
career is very sensitive in nature.
The importance of parent involvement in childrens career selection and educational
process;
Studies show that parents are one of the greatest influence on a student's career

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selection. It is important for parents to give children support and encouragement to

explore the many alternatives available to find the best career suit for them (the
children), as opposed to trying to live out their own unfulfilled career dreams through
your young child. It is important to start the discussion as early as possible, don't wait
till they are looking at university admission forms or Joint Admission Board (JAB) forms
or other tertiary institutions application forms. Much of the influential discussion should
have happened right from the time the child begins school. If the process is started
early, there is less likelihood of making unwise decisions.

Parents should stay positive and give encouragement at all times to their children. The
parents attitude matters a great deal! Stay positive! The work place today is everchanging and may appear frightening to a young person. Don't make the past seem
perfect and the future terrifying. It is true knowledge is power, so encourage them to get
as much information and take advantage of as many opportunities as possible.

Don't shoot down ideas children may have about their future careers. If you react
negatively, it may shut down the whole exploration process. Keep the lines of
communication open, as you encourage them to gather as much information on any
particular career as possible. That research may provide the results you'd imagined in
the first place, they may come to realise that they were on the wrong path by
themselves. The difference is that they were in control of the learning and making the
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decision based on it. This is exactly the skill you need them to have when they face the
adult world.

What parents should know is that the choice of career is their first real step into
adulthood. You are now very much an observer rather than a participant in the process.
Encourage early exploration and discourage expectations that " things will work

themselves out".

More to be noted by the parents is;

Mind the age kids start school

Isaac Baligema in one of his articles in the new vision discusses this topic in the
following ways;
In Uganda, most parents, especially those in urban areas take their children to school
when they are three years old, something experts say is wrong!
Taking your children to school at three could trigger a wave of stress and anxiety in
them, says Prof. Kato Kanameda, a volunteering staff at Makerere University.
Research conducted by experts in the UK in 2009 discovered that the right age for
children to start school is five.
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Children around the age of four may not be ready for the environment they encounter
in the reception class. This includes having to deal with a curriculum that may not be
tailored to their needs and a number of social and emotional adjustments, researchers
say.
Most parents who were interviewed confessed that they did not consider the age of their
children before starting school and that did not have any idea of the effects of taking
their children to school before they are at least four or five.
I have two daughters of five and three. The younger one started last year when she
made three because she would cry in the morning whenever we left home with her elder
sister, says Lillian Nantume, a parent.
Boarding school
Depending on the reason why you want to take your child to a boarding school, experts
say unless the family is highly mobile and the situation is unlikely to change; boarding
should not be the solution for any parent.
Children need to learn many things from us and they learn by seeing. It is amazing to
watch your child grow from stage to stage, but if you are the kind of parent, who is rarely
around, then you have no option, but to let your child into a boarding school, advises
Prof. Kanameda.

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A recent research discovered that the right age for any child to join boarding school is
eight years.
Many parents in Uganda take their children to boarding schools as early as age four
and the law and policies in the country are not clear about this.
Most parents interviewed think the younger a child is when they begin boarding, the
easier they find it to settle in the school routine, but this is very wrong according to
experts.
Many schools take on children as young as three simply because they aim at making
money money, but experts advise parents to take on their parenting role and not to pass
it on to schools simply because they can afford the costs.
Therefore, as you prepare to start schooling, your three year old child this term, you
may need to think again.

THE ROLE MODELS

All of the successful people are inspired by others who succeeded before; the role
models stimulate interests, desires and courage to others. Making a study or reading
about the life of great popular people, one realizes that really God created us for a great
purpose for which we have to accomplish. One begins by asking himself/herself
26

questions like; If others can why not me? This inspires and stimulates one towards
greatness, love, honesty and hard work in all his /her endeavours.

To see how post secondary education can help you achieve your goals, talk to people
who've been there.

Make a list of people you know who've been to college, university or other
training courses. Ask them what they liked and didn't like about *****.

Talk to current students and grandaunts with a background that is similar to

yours. Get the inside scoop on programs that can help you make the most of
your post secondary experience.

Check out these real-life student success stories on television, radio stations,
News papers or by physically contacting them face to face:

Therefore students should pay attention to the words of resourceful people- role
models. One needs to emulate someone who will act as a challenge to accomplish, that
is to say one begins to strive to reach his/her role models heights. Still role models are
a good source of developmental information and messages that facilitate the others to
make informed decisions.
Factors considered when choosing a career
1. Talent and ability
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A talent is that God-given gift to human beings for which one does their best with a lot of
ease. For example; in sports, games, communication, analysing, computing, reasoning,
leadership skills, making research among others.
The creator has endowed human beings with immeasurable treasure of ability and
capacity to accomplish great things. We are equipped with all there is to do and all we
are created to do. So its a matter of self discovery of such gifts and talents endowed to
us by the Almighty God, and this self exploration is done with the assistance of the
elders like; parents, teachers and role models. Many children fail to discover their
talents and end up taking on irrelevant courses in relation to their talents.
Careers can be well pursued and performed when the drive is internal, that means
within the blood of a person. So, its better for one to do a course that is in line with
his/her special abilities or talents.
2. Schools
Thinking about schools, there are very many issues that should be considered when
parents prepare their childrens career. Not any kind of school can facilitate the self
discovery and development of a childs suitable career. The types of schools that exist
include vocational schools that improve on the psychomotor domain and academic
schools that cater for the childs cognitive. However, there are some constraints like;
poverty, failure to access better schools, among others

that might be faced while

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making the choice of the school. We need just to understand the basic requirements
about a school that can facilitate a learner to discover and understand him/her self.
Schools with qualified teachers tend to cater and mind about their students career to an
extent of making a follow up and guiding them even after school.
A school that provides career guidance sessions is the best school ever. Most of the
schools are after making money, that is to say, they are being motivated more by profits
and do not mind much about preparing and building their students future careers. They
only concentrate on accomplishing the syllabus which in most cases encourages rote
learning and as such they are examination-oriented, despite the beautiful mottos and
visions the schools possess.

In those schools, the task of choosing careers has

become the responsibility of the students and parents. In my interaction with some
senior three students of a school in central Uganda, when I asked them about the
criteria they followed when selecting the subjects they do, most of them gave unsound
reasons like one said , I dropped those subjects whose teachers I disliked, another
argued that I considered what my colleague chose. Can you imagine such response?
The blame goes to the schools for neglecting their role of building wholesome
graduates. The good school is expected to guide and mould its learners in all aspects of
life and decisions during and after school. Have you ever asked yourself why some so
called rural poor schools produce self reliant graduands and even more successful

29

people as compared to these from urban or the so called modern schools? Its because
of the intensive guidance, care, Love and guidance they provide.
So a parent and student should consider schools that at least have produced a stream
of theologians, lawyers, doctors, engineers among others such would indicate the
worthiness of the school in question.
3. Interests

Interest is something you feel, value, treasure or consider being satisfying. All human
beings have things they are interested in. One feels relaxed and satisfied once he/she
does perform anything of his or her interest. Once someone is forced to do something
he/she cannot do perfectly, he/she must have an interest in it for better results. That is
why you find many employees unhappy, rude and not easy at their places of work. This
results from lack of interest in the job, but he/she just pursued the career to
accommodate the external influence like from parents, teachers or peers. Therefore for
one to decide what career to pursue he/she must have a great interest in it, love it, and
feel it with all his/her heart and soul. That is why you find other employees very happy,
lively and cooperative in all their endeavours and you really admire such a person are
doing, its because they doing things they are interested in. The person becomes
obsessed and treasures his occupation because it is the occupation of his interest.
Parents and teacher should be the ones to stimulate and interest the children towards
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the suitable careers, but they should not impose their interests onto their children.
However much parents and teachers are interested in various things, this might not
necessarily be the same with those of their children

Like people, occupations have traits or characteristics. These characteristics give

important clues about the nature of the work and work environment, and give you an
opportunity to match your own personal interests to a specific occupation. When you
choose a job in an occupation that matches your own interests you have taken an
important step in planning a successful and rewarding career.

When choosing a career, it makes perfect sense to choose one that is related to what
you enjoy doing in your spare time, if you so desire. In addition people tend to become
very skilled in their hobbies, even though most of the skill is gained informally.

4. Entry requirements
Yes, we might have dreamt about various so cold big good courses, but one should
consider his or her ability to do the required subjects and points for that particular
course. As you will see in chapter three, the details about relevant subjects and
combinations for various courses at university or tertiary institutions will be well
elaborated. Therefore students with guidance of the teacher should be able select and

31

study very well the suitable subjects, combinations for the courses or programs of their
interest based on their abilities. Many students their interests override the missions
towards some courses and forget the entry requirement and abilities. You find one
applying for electrical engineering and does not totally think about the relevant subjects
and the cut off points of that course and his or her performance in those subjects. Some
students are not taken up by the institutions for certain courses because they never
thought about the entry requirements.

5. Resources required in relation to the ones available

As it is that all of the students would love to be joining higher institutions of learning
very few join with the major limitation for this is being insufficient resources. For sure
some courses are very expensive as compared to the rest. So, one should understand
clearly the resources available, that is to say; possessed by their parents, guardian or
any other benefactors. Many students apply for some courses which are out of the
means of their parents. It is also on record that out of the hundred students that are
admitted in the higher institutions of learning around twenty percent (20%) is unable to
commence due to limited resources. One might be suitable for that particular course
but the fund might not be enough so one should go in for the best alternative. One might

32

go in for the alternative but he/she should not go in for any other course but consider
employment and any other prevailing in that particular course .
6. Prospective employment opportunities and other rewards

together with job

security
This is also a great factor to consider as many students go in for courses forgetting
prevailing opportunities like employment, rewards of the course among others. Many
students choose courses for which they totally have no idea about in terms of
employment opportunities or rewards of those courses hence end up being
unemployed. It is right that not all courses offered at various higher institutions possess
equal/direct opportunities therefore it is necessary for one to understand the nature of
the course he/she is opting for. So, teachers should be informed about the various
prospective opportunities of various courses. Students should seriously consult their
teachers, role models and parents about the courses. However, in most schools
teachers have no idea about the prospective opportunities of some courses. Teachers
should be empowered with knowledge about various courses so that they can be able
to guide their learners.
7. Health status
Individuals health status is also considered when choosing a career, as there are some
people who have some complications and allergy towards some components they get
33

into contact with while at work. So its better for someone to take on a career that is not
a threat to ones life. One needs to first have a medical examination to establish the
status of his/her life in order to choose a career.
8. Possibility of self employment
No one on earth likes to be a servant to the other, one needs to be a landlord or a boss
but it is possible to everyone who is focused and really loves it. Therefore when one is
choosing a career they should think of the possibility of self employment. Where one
can try manipulating the knowledge acquired from the course to create his own
employment.

9. Other fringe benefits beside the salary

While salary is important, it isn't the only factor you should look at when choosing a
career. Countless surveys have shown that money doesn't necessarily lead to job
satisfaction. For many people enjoying what they do at work is much more important.
However, you should consider earnings, among other things, when evaluating an
occupation.

Compatible with the faith

34

Faith/ Religion is the back bone of the harmonious living in the whole world word. Faith
breaks the rigged and envious hearts and eventually we end up staying in peace and
harmony in this world. Imagine of the world with no faith, where people dont have that
religious feeling that what I am doing is wrong or it is against Gods commandments.
So faith/ religion must be put first in what so ever we do in career selection and
development. The career path we take should never be a threat to our faith or religions.
Because faith or religions facilitates us in making rational decisions in whatever we do,
making us able to succeed in our careers and occupations.
Challenges faced when choosing a career
1. Conflict of talents and dreams
2. Possession of many talents
3. Poverty
4. Ignorant parents
5. Political instabilities
6. Educational background
7. Educators attitudes
8. Family influence
35

CHAPTER THREE
Start Your Future Career

Many students don't know what career they want to pursue. There are lots of options
and tools to help you decide. If you change your mind, the credits you have already
earned can still help you.

The Advantage

More than 70% of all new jobs will demand higher education or skills training.

A college or university gives you an edge in today's job market. A certificate, diploma or
degree shows your knowledge and skills. It also shows you know how to learn, adapt
and manage your time. Private career colleges offer training that prepares you for a
specific job.

Postsecondary education gives you:

An academic foundation for good communication skills, the ability to solve

problems and learn new assignments even when technology changes.

Social skills to help you deal with changes in the workplace and be respectful of
others.

36

Opportunities to meet instructors and students from all over the world, helping
you broaden your perspective.

Networking opportunities. The mentors and peers you meet in school could help
you get jobs in the future.

Entry point to public universities

The Public Universities in Uganda include Kyambogo University (KYU), Makerere
University (Mak), Busitema University (Bus), Gulu University (GU), Makerere University
Business School (MUBS) and Mbarara University of Science and Technology (MUST).

Weight System

A computerised weighting system is used where the points depend on the number of
applicants per course and the capacity of the faculties. Under the weighting criteria, all
subjects taken at A level are grouped into four categories: essential, relevant, desirable
and others.

For a given candidate, not more than three subjects taken at principle level-shall carry a
weight of 3, 2 or 1. Principle subjects in excess of three shall be designated as others
and weighed at 0.5.

Subject category Weight

37

Essential

Relevant

Desirable

Others

0.5

Not more than two subjects are designated as essential. A pass in a subject taken at
subsidiary level such as General Paper carries one point.

In computation the following are weighed as below;

A carries six points, B five, C four, D three, E two and O one.

For example, the cut off points for Mass Communication was 49.5. Candidate X took
four principals at A level and scored two As and two Bs in the subjects of Literature,
Economics, History and Luganda. She also got a distinction in General Paper.

Assuming the first two subjects are essential for Mass communication, the third,
relevant and the fourth desirable, her weight would be calculated as follows:

1-Literature A (6x3)=18

2-Economics A (6x3)=18

3-History A (6x2)=12
38

4-Luganda (others) =0.5

5-General Paper =1

Total =49.5

O level marks also add to one's university entry points. A distinction is weighed at 0.3
while credits are rated at 0.2.

HOW TO APPLY

Candidates are taken through the basics of how to apply at their schools. Those
interested in government sponsorship fill Public Universities Joint Admissions Board
(PUJAB) forms. They have up to six choices to make.

The forms also have a provision of up to four courses under the quota system. These
forms do not have a provision for private sponsorship, so applications for private
sponsorship are done after government admissions.

Many students have missed government sponsorship even when they qualify because
of making course choices poorly. Although the minimum entry requirement to a
university is two principle passes, this may not guarantee automatic entry due to limited
places.

39

For that matter teachers and parents should try their level best to guide learners on how
to apply appropriately.

Some of the common good courses found in public universities;

Other option for careers

Apprentices

An apprentice is someone who learns a skilled trade on the job, under the direction of
more experienced workers. Apprentices also complete classroom instruction as a part
of their training.

Studies show that workers who learn by apprenticeship are very

effective in whatever they do. It is because in apprenticeship training there is no

cramming but hands on.
Also one can advance occupationally and academically through this strategy.
This strategy reduces the burden of job seeking to the youths by creating more jobs
accelerates the country growth and development. This is because by the time the
student finishes the stipulated time of study he feels able to begin and manage his own
workshop. In Uganda most of the effective mechanical engineers among others are
those who learnt by apprenticeship.

Apprentices are workers, so you will need to find an employer who will train you.
Becoming an apprentice can be an important first step to learning new skills and
40

building a rewarding career. Jobs in the skilled trades pay well, and are interesting and
challenging and, you earn while you learn.

41

JOINING TERTIARY INSTITUTIONS/COLLEGES/TECHNICAL SCHOOLS

According to the Wikipedia, Tertiary education referred to as third stage, third level, and
post-secondary education, is the educational level following the completion of a school
providing a secondary education. Higher education is taken to include undergraduate
and postgraduate education.
Tertiary institutions include universities, technical school and colleges, it is assumed
that it is from tertiary institution students are exposed to hands on experience so at the
end of the course they are able to be self reliant, though in Ugandas system of
education tertiary institutions are more theoretical instead, this condition has ended up
producing meaningless graduates who can not even apply the much on the theory they
studied into practice imagine of engineers who carry college or university note books to
the field/site, those are graduates produced in most of the tertiary institutions.
Tertiary institutions ordinarily are joined at various levels i.e. after primary, after ordinary
level, after advanced level or even there are some institutions that offer/design
packages to those who have never gone through the formal system of education. Some
of the factors as to why students join tertiary institutions at those various levels are not
limited to; financial/ economic, interests verses talents, academic performance.

42

Tertiary institutions are the major destinations which all the people desire to reach or go
through despite the hardships and some factors that interrupt peoples dreams of atleast at one point in time to graduate or get any academic certificates. Even parents or
guardians who never obtained any level of education at-least dream and work hard for
their children to achieve academic success. Student life at university/ college/ vocational
school
s/ colleges

Life seems exciting or daunting even can be both at once. The truth is that each student
quickly becomes part of several smaller communities.

Youll make friends in your hostels and halls of residence. Youll become close to
groupmates in academic, sport or any other social events. In classes, youll work in
project teams and learn to trust and rely on people with whom youll have common
goals. Many students also make connections through groups and organizations offcampus.

There is

diverse people and resources in tertiary institutions and each time,

youll encounter people from all over the other parts of the country side or world who will
expose you to new ideas and.
Preparing to join tertiary institutions
43

There are a lot of activities expected to be performed before one joins any tertiary
institutions;

Application into the institution

You are required to apply for the course you are intending to do and some institutions
after short listing the applicants go a head to interview the applicants this is very
common to courses like Nursing, Law of among other course that require a certain
level/degree of intelligence (Intelligence Quotient) and merit. Yet most of the tertiary
institutions do not administer any interview.

During the application process things you should never for get to consider include;

Financial factor

Tertiary studies can be an expensive proposal, though many students rush to apply for
the course without mind of the course cost, then they end up being constrained
financially. Those who are not sponsored by the government or organisations should
apply for course that is with in your means or parents means. It point less to incomplete
a course due to the fact that you never thought about the course cost. So the parents
and children should sit together and choose an affordable course besides other factors
of selecting a course.

44

Time of study

If it is not a conditional sponsorship your can choose the time of stay basing on your
time interest. As it is that in most of the tertiary institutions fix programmes at different
time I.e. Day time, Evening time, weekend time or even holiday time to teachers.

Campus

It is also common that some institutions have more than one campus so the applicant
should really specify the particular campus of interest or convenience.

So your duty at this stage is to find out whether your name is shortlisted, the information
about this can be obtained from the institutions notice boards, web sites, News papers
among other channels of communication basing on the development in that particular in
institution.

Living away from home

The campus where you will be studying may be a long way away from your family. One
accommodation option for students is to live on campus in a residential college.

Instead of living on campus, however, you might prefer to rent a house yourself. For
more information about share housing, cheap accommodation, renting a property or any
form of accommodation, check with Dean of students as it is that in some cases
45

institutions collaborate with hostiles around it to avail reliable accommodation to the

students.

ORIENTATION PERIOD

Most tertiary campuses run a week-long program for new students so that they can find
out about their course, the campus they'll be studying on, and what kind of resources
are available to them. This week is usually called 'Orientation Week', or simply 'O-week'.

As well as finding out about your course, O-week is a great way to make new friends
out of your fellow students.

Many fresh men and women take it for granted and abscond this programme yet it is the
most important programme that induces you to the new system of study. I remember
when I joined university most of my colleagues instead fixed their own programmes like
visiting relatives nearby the university, going to discover bars and disco halls among
other activities they preferred. But at the end the day they got confused because they
were never initiated into the new environment and system. This is the period that
exposes you to all the paramount issues, events and also empowers you to manage
your self while in that particular new system.

This time also helps you to get information on where to go for help just in case. This will
reduce your movements trying to find help. Learn where to go for help before your
46

semester/course begins so that, just in case things get a little rough, your small speed
bump doesn't turn into a major disaster zone.

Getting ready for lessons/lectures/sessions

This is a most awaited moment for who ever succeeded in admission into tertiary
institutions. Starting tertiary study can be an overwhelming experience; really students
cant wait seeing them selves entering lecture rooms as fresh men and women.
However this sometimes turns the worsted experience to fresh men and women due to
the bulling, teasing, misdirection and misconduct done by the old students. So dear
fresh students expect such and if any of such happen to you handle yourself in a
diplomatic way as it is well known that fire does not cease fire but its water that stops
fire so stay cool and calm in any case.

Managing ones self while at the institute/college/University

1. Get a time management system.

Time management means having and knowing the purpose of your stay at the
institute. Yes there are a lot of activities before you to execute but you just have
to be selective. It is factual that college/university is stressful. Have things
already in place like good groups of friends, exercise plans, hobbies, and smart

47

ways to avoid pitfalls (like knowing how to avoid test anxiety) that will allow you to
mentally check out and relax when things get intense.

Managing your time may be your biggest challenge while at college. Find something
that works for you and use it from day one. Taking reference for the holy bible in Echre;
CH: 3 it talks about time for every thing, this is the best quart I offer to the fresh men
and women in any institutions which can guide you through out study time even after
then. It is always important for a living human being to have a sense of direction. By this
I mean having a plan of a schedule of daily activities pre-planned. In other words, a lot
of temptations and conflicting of interests about what to do, when, how, and why? So
many people follow band wagons and peer/pressure groups which in most cases end
up destroy the future of their members.
The key activity management in relation time include;
There are four areas in priority management. The first is tasks that are very urgent and
very important, next there are those that are very urgent but not important, next very
important and not urgent and lastly not important and not urgent. First try to identify
those that are not important and not urgent. Remove them from your task list. For any
work for which you can get help on, ask for help as early as possible. The most
important tasks re those that are very important and very urgent, so your energy and
focus needs to be in those. List them down and communicate to the people whom have
48

given you the other tasks to set expectations on what you can deliver. The aim is to also
get rid any tasks that are not important so that you can concentrate on the priority tasks
you have.
2. Establish the course outline for that particular semester/term

Do whatever you can to see that you obtain the course out line, this will give you
a gesture on load before you and it will entice you to become more serious and
not

to

take

things

for

granted.

Although

so

many

tutors/lecturer/teacher/facilitators are reluctant to provide their students with the

course outline/course content outline but you as a wise student it is your
responsibility to pester them or even search for it from those students who
offered the same course before you or those whom you followed in the same
course. This will help you not only mere knowing the load before you but also
influencing you not to under-look data/information you come across related to the
course hence improving your performance . That is termed as being proactive.

3. Join some but not too much co-curricular involvement.

Social clubs, games and sports are some of the co-curricular activities that
facilitate you to break the ice and monotony of academic sessions and also
developing your talents as well as keeping your body and mind healthy. This
49

should be done with a lot caution, You don't have to be much involved to the
extentthat you rarely have time to revise, eat and sleep. When we talk about
clubs and social groups, staunch religious students first and foremost think about
joining prayer groups which is very right from the fact that religions facilitate us to
live harmoniously in any community, but some students over do it. Let me take
this example from my experience; while I was at campus there were some of my
course-mates who belong to a certain Christian born again prayer groups but in
our first year much of their time was spent in overnights which could exhaust
them to the extent that they could not attend lectures during day because of the
much fatigue from the overnights they could regularly have in their cells/rooms
but when the finals came these fellows never had enough matter to present/write
down because much of the time was spent in praying and the end results was
failing some course units/subjects and having very poor grades yet they were
bright. By they time they realized their fate it was some how late in that their
grades had already gone down. So what kind of praying is that! Be self driven
and have a sense of direction always even out side school I mean in your entire
life.

4. Financial discipline

50

In this current world finance is the major drive of our life but the fact is that we are
all placed at different financial status though there is no one at a certain level is
contented with what it has. Please students whatever little or much you have as
up keep should be spent wisely so that it doesnt affect your core purpose of why
you are at school.

Those of low financial status should not be envious before those who are of high
financial statutes nor ever counselling or taking that an excuse of poor
performance but it is a matter of understanding your status and adjust
accordingly; through sharing with others who have things like texted books,
project tools or making maximum use of the library/laboratory that can term as
public resources. However, you should look for the money or informing your
sponsor or parents in time for the indispensable costs or events like tuition,
examination fees among others, so that you are not disturbed during those
critical conditions to avoid sur-charges or even missing examinations. Never
assume a status you are not, in other wards the evil minds might end up taming
you to commit sins like stealing, prostitution. Many students end up practicing
prostitution, robbery among other indiscipline case as they try to assume a
financial status they cannot have at the moment. Just know you can excel better
than anyone else so long as you have the basic necessities like your

51

housing/roommate situation, your food/dining options, and your transportation

worked out in advance which will drive the stress way.

I tell you form the experience that some of us had to make ends meet by our own
i.e. studying while searching for school fees but because of our commitment and
determination we could emerge the best amongst the rest of the students even
those who had no any financial constraint.

To those of high or medium financial status; in most case you students tend to
take your selves on top of the world thinking money can do any want which is not
true, you sometimes oppress those from poor families or even your teachers
because they are dressed up cheaply or dont possess expensive gargets like
cellular phone, laptops and so many others. Having some money sometimes
makes you forget your core purpose of your stay at school and spend most of the
time showing off, pressing and playing about those funny gargets which in the
end affect your grades or even your future. The only advice for you is that please
spend wisely where it is necessary and save the excess on your account actually
if you use that chance that your are given enough up-keep and save this might
even deter you from job seeking because at-least your will be having some start
up capital. You should also have a sharing heart with others but do not oppress
them, just know you have what sometimes you might not be able to interpret yet
52

those who can interpret dont have so you just have to make a collaboration and
complement each other which in the end will help you all to excel.

Therefore you should not that; you may be rocking your classes, but if your
financial situation is a mess, you won't be able to finish the semester. Make sure
your finances are in order when you start a new semester and that they'll still be
that way as you head toward finals week.

How to Succeed in College/university

Below Kelci Lynn Lucier in one of his article he presented some of the tips for
succeeding in college/university as mentioned below;

Academic success comes in many forms. For most students, it's a transcript that opens
doors into great jobs or great graduate schools. For others, academic success also
includes what happens outside of the classroom. With so much going on in college,
though, how can you make sure you're headed down a path towards true academic
success and towards a truly rewarding college experience?

Let Yourself Explore

53

You may arrive at college knowing that you are destined to become a teacher, a lawyer,
a doctor, an engineer. Or you may arrive not having the slightest idea about what you
want to major in.

No matter which end of the spectrum you're on, however, you should let yourself
explore everything that your school has to offer academically. Take classes in a subject
you've never taken before. Follow a passion that doesn't relate to your major. Just let
yourself really learn from your environment.

Make Informed, Honest Choices -- and Enjoy the Consequences

There will undoubtedly be a lot of people giving you advice about what you should do
during and after college. And while you may be in school to learn, you will, at some
point, have to draw your own line in the sand. Pick a career and course of study that
suits you, not your parents. Pay attention to the fire in your belly and learn what you're
truly passionate about. Make sure you're happy at your school. And once you've made
a choice, feel confident in your decision and do all you can to learn from the resources
around you.

Set Yourself Up for a Strong Performance

You've explored a little, changed your mind here and there. Decided on what to major
in, maybe even a career. With those decisions out of the way, you can now set yourself
54

up for a successful college experience. Make sure that you make the most intellectually
of the time you have left, be it one year or four. Take classes from the best professors in
your department. Don't let minor errors in your papers take away from your great ideas.
Grab coffee with your favourite professors and talk about what they love about their
field.

True, you spend a significant amount of time in class (and possibly in labs) learning new
material. But what are you doing during the other hours of your week?

How you spend your time outside of the classroom is a critical part of your college
experience and, in a sense, of the education you receive while in school. Make the most
of it! Join a club or organization that explores your interests and passions. Take all your
required courses next semester in a different country. Branch out and try something
you've never done before. No matter what you do, make sure you do something that
you can look back and be proud of.

55

Secondary school life

This is an educational level that in one of the options taken after primary level. This is a
middle level or an intermediate level or even it can be referred as the level that chaotic
in because that is the level there is a lot of physical, social and psychological changes
amongst the students. This level provides hint on the general perspective of the world.
This is where open thinking begins. The demand for secondary education worldwide is
soaring due to progress towards universal primary school completion, large cohorts of
young people searching for the key to a better life, and the global demand for an
increasingly sophisticated labour force.

This heightened demand for secondary

education is accompanied by the need to respond to the twin challenges

Dear students you have completed primary level and this is another level yet for you, it
is found of change of attitude, beliefs and culture here your minds are considered to be
developed and your to be treated as relatively mature learners. Spoon feeding is no
more independent leaving is the way forward. That is why most of you even stop
commuting from home and join boarding schools if not the parental detachment begins.
This is the initial stage of introducing you to the real world before you entre it in the
stages that follow. This is the stage you at which you are supposed to be smarter and
serious about your future. At the primary level you where dreaming but now you are
56

getting started into developing those dreams becoming reality.

That is to say you

admired a doctor is sow last time you visited the hospital, or you admired the head
teacher smartness and you really want to become one. So its high time you stated
thinking deep and concentrating on their subjects that can make you become what you
want to be. This is possibly a turning point for most people in all over the world turning
to the worse or the better; those who failed to get good grades at primary national
primary examinations can strive harder and get the better ones taking from my
experience at Primary Leaving Examination (PLE) I got second grade with 15
aggregates and I was always a lousiest and a mid Yorker person at school i could
always be considered among others meaning those who are neither notorious nor
famous. I know what secondary school level was my turning point indeed, I changed my
image to the extent than my old boys and girls could not imagine who i became. I was
more determined academically and socially began to be ranked the best performers
more so I used to be in the 1st position on consecutive times amidst those who got first
grades some even with 4 aggregates, I became a students leader a head prefect more
over and became a more influential, famous and admirable student in all the two
secondary school I studied from more over I was from a poor humble family where I had
to look search for my own school fees and at the end of the two secondary school levels
i passed with flying clours. If I managed to do it why not you just know what one man
can do another man cant fail.

However truly know it that even those who got good

57

grades at the primary national examinations might be disapproved that they really never
got theses grads on their own and end up failing if they dont pull up their socks. At this
stage just know that life will become what you decide it to be from the proverb that we
always reap what we saw. This stage is most commonly known as Adolescence, The
Adolescent ages 10-15 experience dramatic changes in their biological, cognitive,
emotional, and social development as well as in their physical and social environments.
These include the physiological and psychological changes associated with puberty;
further development of the brain; changes in family, peer, and romantic relationships;
and exposure to new societal and cultural influences. The following changes are going
to be-follow you. This book is intended to alert you and even expose to you what you
are really going to meet in the next stage besides the following changes that are bond to
occur
Physical changes
Yes this is these changes are going to change your image physically before the public
and your peers, Just know some of the changes are desirable while others are un
desirable but they are bound to appear. Just know you are physically transformed
naturally from childhood to adulthood. Therefore your bodies begin to show the
secondary male and female sexual characteristics, and they become capable of
reproduction. These physical changes occur under the influence of various hormones.

58

Though at this level students develop at differing rates and i am sure most of you might
have been already observed these physical changes but know more physical
complications are still to happen.
Since the physical changes at this level may appear early or late, quickly or slowly,
individuals of the same chronological age may find themselves in very different stages
of development. For an adolescent, this is often a matter of great concern. Girls and
boys begin hating themselves or even become more confused from the fact that young
people tend to become extremely sensitive and self-conscious about your appearance.

Body changes

However much to some of you some of these changes are not new to you this is assure
you that its a normal event, the physical changes may not be limited to the following;

1. Hair growth
Boys
It is a fact and normal that hair grows around the penis, under the arms, and at
the face, legs and chest areas. Also the beards begin to develop as the skin
begins to appear to be rough.
Girls

59

Around the private parts i.e. vagina and under the arms, this is one of the most
undesirable stage girls hate most with an impression that their beauty if fading
away which is a false impression just know this is just normal and at this stage
you are your beauty is just forming
2. Shapes and sizes
This is a most desired change following its appearance children feel they are
reorganised as mature people, so beautiful and admirable as well.
Boys
This is a quantitative physical change boys experience in dimensions like
increase in the Height, weight and muscles strength as the shoulders also
broaden. Also about this change the Penis and testes enlarge and lengthen;
erections and ejaculations occur more frequently; voice cracks
Girls
There is Height, weight and width of hips increase, fats at the abdominal, Breasts
develop, buttock and thigh areas increases. Girls feel very proud and lovely of
this change. However to some girls they might not appear as expected. Just
know that we were created differently in terms of hormones and genies but just
be proud of what manifests to you physically just know you are special.
3. Acne & body odour

60

Both boys and girls their Skins get oilier and spots on the skill may occur;
perspiration increases and may cause body odour. The only remedy for this is
that you boys and girl should just make sure you maintain the highest degree of
personal hygiene through bathing regularly, cutting your figure nails, combing
shaving any outgrowing hair on your body wash and use deodorant daily and
wash clothes regularly. All children need to wash between their legs. For
uncircumcised boys, washing under the foreskin is also important as well as
doing some sports so that you can sweat to release the wastes that attributed
that body odour.
4. A special complicated change about girls
This goes to girls menstruation surfaces at around this stage which might cause
a lot of pain, worries and unrest. Menstruation usually begins at about 12-13
years of age but some girls will get their first menstruation earlier and some later.
Just before menstruation, a girl may see some sticky, pale yellowish mucus in
her underwear. This is perfectly normal and a sign that things are moving along
just fine. The best way to handle this is through maintain the your personal
cleanliness with your pads always readily available in case of any signs, relax
because it really normal and in case of excessive pain approach a senior woman,
school nurse or any concerned person around you. This will relieve you from the

61

too much stress and unrest that might develop which might interfere with your
studies.

Parents and teachers responsibility should be; if your e teenagers undergoing puberty,
be patient, as it's an emotionally challenging period, and they'll need time to adjust to
these physical changes. Encourage your teenagers not to compare their bodies with
their friends' because everybody develops differently, and at his or her own pace. You
should also advocate and reinforce proper hygiene amongst teenagers
General physical changes
There are some physical changes that occur in your both girls and boys. While your
bodies are maturing physically, but brain development, thinking skills and emotional
development are happening at their own speeds. What you see on the surface doesnt
always match whats happening on the inside.

Bones, organs and body systems change; Many of both girls and boys organs will
change in size and capacity. Lung performance improves, limbs grow, and bones
increase in thickness and volume. The chest and shoulders get broader in boys. In girls,
the hips and pelvis get wider.

Physical strength and sports skill develop; Muscle strength and size increase during this
period. Your coordination of the eyes and other parts of the body will improve which will
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increase on the your motors skill (movement skills) such as running, ball-catching and
throwing, dancing among other sports activities. So this is you most appropriate stage
your are supposed to get involved at-least in most of the school sports and games
which in turn will promote your talent as well as keep you healthy.

SOCIAL CHANGES
During this level, your interaction with family, friends and peers will. Every childs social
development is different from other children. This is based on the unique development
of the genes, brain development, environment, experiences with family and friends, and
community and culture.

Due to the change in the environment you boys and girls need to be more careful and
cautious about what you do, whom you are doing it with and where you are doing it
from, in other word many of young people mess up from here the process of finding out
about;

1. Searching for identity

Here Young people become querulous and try to find out who really you are.
Some of you end up becoming notorious or famous. Please young people do not
get over excited. Relax and maintain a highest degree of decency, discipline and
respect foot your self and for others.
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2. Seeking for independence

At this level of education you feel you can live on our own with out any adults
intervention which is a deception. You are still young your teachers and parents
and teachers have a lot for you in terms of grooming you to become a desirable
person in future. Most of you think no one can determine for you your destiny and
end up becoming big headed, which affects your familys, friends and teachers
relationships. At this level you are supposed to develop meaning of what you
study, hear from the elders, and observe being done by your mentors and role
models.

3. Seeking more responsibility

Time as come because of the maturity now you young people feel most of you
think your are more responsible both at home and at school. Though some of
you shy away from responsibility due to low self esteem.

Please accepting

responsibilities makes you develop stronger in mind/ intellectually and physically

which will accelerate your performance in most of the aspects of life. But never
assume responsibility beyond your limit or put yourself in the position that you
cannot concentrate on your core purpose why you are at school in otherwise you
might end up failing. Responsibility should be used as an opportunity for you to

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exploit your talents and make you focused on your core values as well. Let me
take this example from my own experience;

when i was in form one I was chosen to a class monitor I used this chances to
make sure i attend classes in time as I could fetch teachers from the staff room
those who could forget about their lessons, I could make sure the classroom was
ever clean to study from a conducive environment among, also i could make sure
the classmate are ever quite for me to read my book.

The in-form two I was chosen to be a dormitory captain; here i used this chance
form to have peaceful and timely nights because i could make sure my fellow
students sleep in time other than spending the whole night shouting and
murmuring which might have disrupted my sleep, also i made sure I slept in a
clean harmonious dormitory.

Then when i was chosen to be a head prefect;

This was a very great opportunity in that I had all the power to influence a
conducive, orderly and favorable atmosphere which enabled me to excel
academically among other aspects of life.

Responsibility might not only mean being a students leader, but you should
assume your own responsibility on your life in particular; i.e.
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Responsibility of having a sense of direction and time management to

avoid any inconvenience of late coming and

Responsibility being smart and clean to gain respect from the rest from
others

Responsibility of respect the parents, teachers and peers

Responsibility of engaging in healthy relationships that are developmental

Responsibility of sharing with others

Responsibility of obedience of school rules and regulations

Responsibility of honouring the school and home property and

environment

Responsibility of participating in school and home events

By doing this and more will facilitate you to achieve the greatest success in all
your endeavours.

5. Establishing new experiences

At secondary school level new thing are going to happen daily this is when you
are supposed to get into deeper understanding of the values, culture and the real
world at large, you are getting to meet new friend from various parts of the
country with various values and beliefs, you are getting to know the deeper
meaning and relevance of various subjects, you are getting to develop meaning
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of any information that comes on your way independently. However you should
avoid taking up risk meaningless behaviour. But you should remain in control
over their impulses
6. Getting to know really about right and wrong
It is still at this stage you will start developing a stronger individual set of values
and morals. Young people learn should know that you are responsible for your
own actions, decisions and consequences. Knowing what is exactly wrong or
right makes you to be a very humble, loveable and respectable child before your
teachers, parents and your colleagues as well.
7. Peer pressure
The many new friends with different back grounds and cultures are met, those
with good and the bad characters will love to be your friends, are going to
influence you do things you have never done. Are going to instil various habits
but a caution should be taken that at the end of the day you will be accountable
for you actions personally but not as a group. Be very sensitive and speculate
the consequence that is bound to happen. However; the Buganda proverb that

Mbulira gwoyita naye nkubulire empisazo meaning tell me whom you ever
move with so that a can tell you your true characters, will still prevail. Those
associate with notorious groups will always be described by bad characters
without any exception and the vice versa. the especially when it comes to
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behaviour, sense of self and self-esteem Children who experience poor selfesteem, those who feel they have few friends, and sometimes those with special
needs might be more likely to give in to peer pressure. These children might feel
that the only way theyll be included and accepted in social groups is by taking on
the behaviour, attitudes and look of a group. You need to meet new peers and
make new friends, and establish or re-establish your position within
developmental peer groups.
8. Bullying
This is also common at this stage; many children fail or even hate studies and
get into hide out as to escape from the embarrassing state created by their fellow
students. This is really an in-disciplinary case that should be gotten rid of or
checked by the school management you students you are ambassadors of the
teacher in the students community, such cases should be reported as fast as
possible they happen. Even if they are done to you or not please this might ruin
your purpose at school if not your friends. Bulling might verbal, physical, or in
any other form so long as it humiliates the others.

Academic changes

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The major purpose to why you are at school is to advance academically to reach higher
heights simultaneously with other school activities in order to come out of school a
wholesomely developed person to benefit and positively transform the society.
Secondary school offers new social and learning opportunities but the core purpose is
academic excellence and talent discovery. Yes new friends, subjects, teachers and
routines are before you but just now they are not going to be abstract from what you
know, everything is derived from what you know to what you dont know, many subjects
you are meeting are continuation and extracted from the few subjects you where
studying in primary.

Self-care change

Here things are somewhat totally different from those of primary school level, here there
is some bit of independence, parents and teachers they expect you to be more
independent and responsible than before. In primary there was a kind of spoon feeding
and pampering from parents, teachers or caregivers.

Teachers used to write for you on black boards her in most of the subjects dictation is
the order of the day, checking hand writings among others but here at secondary school
level loss of that is done just on only exceptional cases.

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Teacher secondary school teachers expect you to be self driven and self motivated. The
only key to enjoyment of you secondary school life is being doing right things, from a
right place at a right time. When you do this you will indeed excel beyond your
expectations, you will be loved by your teacher because of you politeness and
obedience.

Personal hygiene is a major concern hear from the fact that a health mind lives in a
health body and a health body leaves in a health environment of which you are
responsible to provide a health/ clean environment for your body and more so to provide
a health/clean body for you to have a health mind. You should voluntarily perform these
activities without any external influence;

Always wash and iron regularly

Lay your bad and put everything tidy in your room

Sweep the class rooms whenever you are supposed to do it if you should putting
in mind that litre free surroundings is you obligation.

Wash your hands when ever after toileting even before eating

Always be smart physically; tuck in, brash your teeth, dress up in a full clean
school uniform

So you should develop improved self-control and skills in planning, problem-solving and
decision-making. This process will continue into your childs early 20s.
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Subjects change

At secondary school level a variety of subjects intended for you to discover your abilities
by the end of the first two years before you choose the ones that can lead you to pursue
a suitable career as already mentioned in chapter two of this book. There might be
those subjects you are rally not interested in never ignore them you never know at the
end of the day they might be the subjects where you talent follows even if not that it
good to be open ended and wholes some person through acquiring the basic
knowledge from all those subjects just know they were not designed to waste your time
but to expose you to a variety of events. For example those who hate sciences it is
really of great paramount for you to know the nature because all around we live in and
on science i.e. Our body functions, diseases, the heat and light energy we daily use
among others,. Dont you think all of such are important to know so that you best take
care of your health? Those diverse subjects are intended to develop your mind and also
have a wider view of the world.

Your will need to adapt to new teaching and assessment styles, cope with a wide range
of subjects, adjust to having different teachers in different classrooms, become more
responsible for your own learning, manage a heavier study and homework load, and
learn a new and more complex timetable.
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Know it that you will never meet totally abstract things/content the curriculum is
designed I a way that they begin from known to unknown

To those who dont join secondary school.

Because of one or more reason some may not be able to join the academic world. I.e.
advancing to secondary then to tertiary institutions, that should not be the excuse for
you failure just know that there are many rich people who never advanced academically
to higher levels surprisingly are employing the so called learnt people those with
certificates, diplomas, degrees of any kind. You to can make it if you can really
manipulate the available resources and the knowledge you accumulate from vocational
institutions. Tips for you to succeed in vocational institutions as young as you are;

Be determined and always pay attention to whatever is taught to you especially

the hands on skills

Be respectful. I am saying this because most of you when you join the technical
school tend to become indiscipled and wild which hinders your success

Do all the assignments before your more over in time

Be inquisitive to know more and more form facilitators, fellow students, and
library and from the experienced people as well you come across

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Never feel shy or intimidated by those who advanced in academics but just
struggle to disapprove them that you can also excel or even go beyond them.
You can do it to the extent for sky to be your limit

Teachers role

Here the teacher majorly acts as a facilitator but not a dictator because these are
mature learners who need and desire to express themselves and also explore things by
themselves. For that case a teacher should adopt the following characters

Respecting yourself as well as your students

Knowing you learners indifferences and similarities

Providing a conducive atmosphere for each and every learner to participate

Being a good listeners to both parents and learners

Never be biased at all the time before you students

Teaching materials might not be sufficient but always be in position to improvise

Be exemplary while at school even in the community outside class

Incorporate counselling and guidance sessions during your lessons that is when
your students grasp more and develop a better understanding of any matter at
hand

Among others

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Parents responsibility

Attending all meetings and concerts organised by the school so that to have a
chance to follow up as well as keeping track of your child and school

Be a good listener to your child and react accordingly

Respect yourself, your child and your childs teachers

Do your best to provide the required scholastic materials to avoid any

inconvenience to your child

Still love and care for your child however much he/she is seeming to be grown up
by he/she still needs your lover and care for him/her to concentrate at school

There should be a close and clear relationship between you and the school to
obtain the factual truth about your child and the schools arrangements. Even
things are not moving on well financially be open to the school management they
will respect your concern

Be selective on attending to your childs list of items requested for to go with at

school

Reward your child where it is relevant and punish or castigate your child where it
is necessary

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LIFE AFTER COLLEGE/UNIVERSITY/TECHNICAL SCHOOL

Yes you have successfully completed your studies you a learnt a lot the good and the
bad experiences. Now the world is open for you and ready to receive you with whatever
you have acquired from the university/college/school. How ready are you for it fear not
entering the world but just be determined and believe in yourself that whatever your
have acquires from school besides your inborn abilities plus the knowledge received
from the informal and non formal learning are just enough to let you prosper and fit in
the world after school. A lot was taught to you but little was retained you wonder
whether the less practice besides the much theory pumped into your head can make
you survive.
Yes time has come know what you did not grasp was not meant for you, then just
manipulate what you grasped to get meaning out of it and then persist on seeking for
more knowledge as it is that knowledge is wealth and learning is endless.
After school is a very challenging stage where even some people get a lot of
disappointments and shocks because of being unemployed or under employed.
Therefore dear ladies and gentle men because now you are grownup think other-wires,
use this book to get to know the reality and what you should really expect out-side
school.

REALISTIC EXPECTATIONS
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This is the major factor which the graduates should put into consideration to fit into the
outside world (outside school). There are a lot of expectations you have in mind while
you are graduating such as;
1. A very good paying job, moreover from a reputable company
2. Getting on top promoted within a very short period of time
3. Winning the bosss royalty beyond your colleagues very fast
4. Driving as early as possible a very expensive car
5. Building a house within no time, among other expectations
6. And so many other expectations.......
The truth is that most of those expectations are unrealistic apart from few exceptional
cases. What you just have to know is time being the major factor in everything, to
understand time factor please look at people around you or your workmates, establish
really how long did it take them to reach their current heights? How long did it take them
to possess what they have? Where did they begin from? At-least there you will be able
to develop realistic expectation, just know that even the CEO (Chief Executive Officer of
your organisation or company) has spent time copying, collating, and entering data. So
when you are at work as a new fresh graduate do the following in order for you to
succeed and fit in the organisation;

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1. Take up any position and any task that is put before you by your boss except that
that can lead you to sin or beyond self respect, like sexual abuse here bosses of
the opposite sex sometime the advantage of your eagerness to work and end up
sexually harassing you, involving you into fraudulent acts among others. Always
be smart and ready to perform any task pertaining your job or organisation which
might include Volunteer for projects and tasks, this will exhibit your commitment
to work.
2. Do the task carefully with a lot of respect and do it well in order to add value to
the organisation to really work beyond the tune of your salary, this might even
influence your boss to promote you or even increase your salary. Therefore
establish yourself as an asset but not a liability to the organisation.
3. Be patient with yourself. It can be frustrating to learn the ropes at a new job. Its
typical to make mistakes in these early days. On top of that, you may feel slow
and inefficient. Dont worry. You will get the hang of it. Focus on one task at a
time. As you put in mind that experience is the best teacher and practice make
perfect as well as we learn by our mistake.
4. Promote respect in the organisation. First respect yourself, your boss, your
workmate and then the environment within and out of the organisation. This will
facilitate your harmonious stay. Respect includes knowing your boundaries of
operation, health relationships as well as interaction.
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That is when you are lucky God has blessed you and got a job but the greatest
disappointment is when even you cannot find any single person calling you for work atleast to earn a coin in a day or at the end of the months. When you are still struggling to
find work anywhere you just need to be patient and persistent in the search for work.

Never under-look any piece of work that comes in your way so long as you can earn a
shilling other than nothing. You just have to know that that little work your can come
across can connect you to the big one you dream of or you desire, just know that . If its
possible you can set up your small business with a very little capital you can get from
relatives, friend, parents or even from the savings you make during your actions of
trying to make ends meet. Therefore it is very good to have realistic expectations after
school.

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References;

1. Lucas AF & Associates: Leading Academic Change Essential Roles for Department
Chairs. San Francisco: Jossey-Bass, 2000.
2. Hecht IWD: The Professional Development of Department Chairs. New Directions for
Higher Education. 2004;126:27-44.
th

3. Covey SR: The 8 Habit: From Effectiveness to Greatness. (Includes a DVD with 16
inspirational films) New York: Free Press, 2004. Building on the 7 Habits of Highly
Effective People, Covey and his associates describe an eighth habit find your voice
and inspire others to find their voice.

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About the author:

Geofrey Lusaggi
Diploma In Business Accounting (ACCA)
Degree in Business Studies with Education
Post graduate Degree in Supply chain and Logistics management
Student of Master of science in Information and Communication Technology for
Development

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