UoN Office of Career Services (OCS)

UN World Food International Internship Program

The World Food Programme (WFP) is the leading humanitarian organization saving lives and changing lives, delivering food assistance in emergencies, and working with communities to improve nutrition and build resilience. The Tanzania Field innovation Hub complements the global WFP Innovation Accelerator based in Munich, Germany. The Accelerator has grown to a team of 50 innovators from diverse backgrounds. WFP believes that new ideas and disruptive approaches are crucial to getting closer to achieving #zerohunger. To this end, WFP’s first Field Innovation Hub (the Hub) was established in Tanzania in 2017. Now in its fourth year, the Hub has laid the groundwork for catalyzing Tanzania’s innovation ecosystem and changing the way WFP approaches both current and future operations. The Tanzania Filed Innovation hub works very closely with the Accelerator and the Country Office team in Tanzania to deliver on its objectives.

The Tanzania Field Innovation Hub is participating in the WFP international internship program which seeks to recruit motivated and qualified candidates to fill positions of the 2021 Policy and Programme Department (PD) Internship Programme from universities across the globe. The program aims to offer the selected candidate(s) a chance to understand WFP’s overall operations and gain first-hand exposure to practical use of innovation methodologies such as HCD and Lean Startup. More information about this opportunity can be accessed here: Career Opportunities: PD Intern – Field Innovation (141660) (successfactors.eu)

The internship position will run from June/July this year for a minimum of 3 months and up to 8 months. The selected intern will be based either in Dar es Salaam or work remotely depending on the pandemic-caused restrictions and will be offered a monthly stipend to cover part of their cost of living. Please do note the deadline to apply is May 2nd at 11:59 pm Rome time (GMT + 1).

Given the University of Nairobi long standing stature as a leading institution of excellence in the East Africa region and the African continent, we would like to extend this opportunity to its student body. We rely on your goodwill to share this opportunity with the respective administrations of the different schools in both the undergraduate and graduate programs whose student profiles will be interested in working in the humanitarian context

KIPPRA Conference

What else can I say about this eventful two day journey. KIPPRA stands for The Kenya Institute for Public Policy Research and Analysis, basically they advise the government and other organizations on all matters public policy. Think along the lines of The Big Four agenda and Vision 2030. There were some recognizable names in attendance during this momentous occasion; The Dean of Students for the University of Nairobi, Dr. Linda Mutua the KIPPRA Chair, Mr. Fred Simiyu who served as a representative of the KIPPRA board. This was no ordinary seminar, there were students form various universities who came to contribute to the common goal of providing insights on how better to move our country forward. Students present were from University of Nairobi, Daystar University, Technical University of Mombasa, Kenyatta University and Jomo Kenyatta University of Agriculture and Technology among others.

There were varying topics addressed in order to sensitize the youth on matters public policy and help them better understand their role in this process even on a national level. This was mainly addressed during a discussion coordinated by and among students themselves regarding the Big Four Agenda. For those unfamiliar with it, the Big Four Agenda is centered around providing Affordable Housing, Manufacturing, Food Security and Affordable Healthcare. Highlighted was what were the targets of each of these areas entailed and challenges face in achieving set targets. There was a question and answer session where many concerns by the youth were made known.

Vision 2030 was also a key discussion. What is vision 2030? How does it affect the youth? How much progress has been made in achieving set milestones? These issues were addressed intensively and even feedback was received from the audience since the main aim of this forum was to actively have a conversation on how to better the ideals set at a national level since they affect us all.

Another key issue looked at is patents and copyrights. The youth are seen as the most creative and innovative section of society hence it is vital to secure and nurture this talent to grow. To do this, it is essential to protect ideas of the youth against other malicious entities from benefitting off the efforts of others. This is done through patents and copyrights, thus it is key for the youth to understand how they work, the process to attain them and where they apply. Other outlined topics were national values and the Public Policy Making Process

Oh, and lest we forget, there were amazing presentations such as John Kotoo who presented a spoken word. Those who participated in the online essay competition were awarded certificates of participation as well as branded t-shirts. This would motivate them to continue their good efforts in furthering the national conversation on public policy.

This forum was important in order to engage with the youth as they are major stakeholders in the future of the country. It was noted that not many engage with materials containing information about public policy made available to the general public. Thus, the degree of success  of this two day journey is dependent on how proactive the youth will become in future endeavors pertaining public policy. Hence, it is vital we all contribute to this national conversation, since we are all in this together

Student Life on Campus

Life on campus can be viewed as a wide spectrum, sort of like white light.

It means that campus life cannot really be defined. It is unique in that everyone who joins is starting a new chapter in their lives. The beautiful thing is, one decides what to write on those fresh blank pages. One decides what dreams to chase.

Anyone can walk through those big pearly gates on the first day and decide to chase a first-class honor. Some may get lost on the way and party each day like it’s a weekend. There is the interesting group that looks for marriage partners all through campus. Every day you pass your fellow students walking the halls of the campus, some smiling, some frowning, some deep in thought while others are tired of their own thoughts. Everyone is walking their own journey, chasing their own goals and trying to live their best lives.

The advice is  live your own life while in campus. Chase those good grades and do so with your whole heart. Do not let the party life sweep you away in the tides of entertainment. When you are burned out from entire weekends in the library, enjoy yourself with a good movie at the cinema with some friends or your significant other. There is no-one who goes through campus life without making a few mistakes here and there, so don’t expect a perfect experience. What you should strive for is a happy experience, set goals and aim to achieve them. Wake up each day happy that the sun is shining, not dreading the consequences when the moon was ruling the night.

Keep a good group of friends, those you can enjoy life with but also those who push you to be greater tomorrow than you are today. Live your campus life such that when you do don that gown and receive that certificate, you look back with a smile, not regrets. Live each day like your last, attend that calculus class you dread because you have no idea what is happening, have that date with your significant other on Saturday after a long week of classes and CATs. You only attend campus once; you only walk those halls for a few years before you have to walk out. Do not waste it wishing you had lived fuller when one day you are old and grey sitting at a campfire looking up at the night sky.

Career Development Opportunities in Campus

Through campus, most students may wonder what methods are best to supplement their educational life. It is true that the main aim of attending university is attaining the best possible quality degree. But why  aim to achieve such a goal?  What happens when you want to fast track this process? What should you do in order to silently but surely build your CV to boost your career? That is what this article addresses.

First, it is important to note that while starting out this journey, one shouldn’t expect to start at prestigious positions in renowned organizations. The best mindset to keep is to value progress over perfection. Most students may have a set notion of their own skills in their head, but to others they are an unknown commodity and are aiming to prove their worth. Hence, if it needs stating, patience is required in order to progress up your career ladder.

Now that the prerequisites are out of the way, let’s dive deep into  the problem. Key steps to follow when building your career while still in campus:

  1. Join Career Related Clubs – This will enable one to network with individuals who may become integral to opportunities that may open up in the future. This may be through partnerships made by this club with organizations external to the university
  2. Attend Events – This applies to career-related events such as talks from invited speakers and seminars . This would be a wonderful form of exposure to help you realize the skills needed in order to succeed in your field of expertise.
  3. Apply for Internships During Long Holidays- This is a key aspect needed to build your experience prior to actual job appointments. Most organizations especially esteemed ones would not be willing to employ graduates with no prior experience even in entry-level positions.
  4. Studying of professional courses- It would be very valuable studying such courses in order enable you attain skills that may become vital in all future job-hunting endeavors. It would also help to give you the edge against fellow peers seeking to snatch up the same opportunities as you.
  5. Join a Sport- Lately sports have become a major part of our lives. If one may think about the Olympics or the World cup and how they are very big industries employing millions of individuals then one would only be wise to join a sport and have experience in it.
  6. This applies more to computer-related courses – There are plenty of websites set up to aid freelance developers hone their skills at the same time earn some cash. Projects built using this method could help future employer better understand your skillset and even assess your performance on a professional level.

With all those tidbits stated above, I wish you all the best in your future career-building endeavors.

Virtual interview tips for students

A virtual interview is one that takes place via the use of video technology by use of the internet. The interviewer and interviewee are not in the same physical space.

Virtual interviews have become quite common due to the Covid-19 pandemic and the Dean of Student’s and Career Office feel it is important for our students to have tips on how to succeed in this interviews

  1. Appearance- One should assume that a virtual interview is the same as a face to face interview hence they should always wear the proper attire. Once you wear professional attire the interviewer treats you as a professional
  2. Practice, Practice, Practice – Take  time to prepare for the interview, one might even have a mock interview with a family member. This ensures that you are ready and confident for the interview
  3. Perform Pre-test on the technology you will use- Check that all the equipment you will use works efficiently. Check that your computer/phone’s microphone and camera are functioning.
  4. Try and Establish a Rapport with the interviewer – Where possible create a personal connection with the interviewer, this will make it easier for you to communicate and also will set you apart from the other candidates
  5. Be Genuine – Always be yourself in a interview , never try to be someone you are not as it may backfire and will lead you to loose a spot as a candidate
  6. Be Polite –  Always use kind words ,only speak when spoken to and don’t interrupt the interviewer unnecessarily.
  7. Try and reduce distractions around you – If possible go to a private room and ensure you notify your family members not to distract you.

How To Write A Selling CV

Curriculum Vitae (CV) is a Latin word which means “course of life”. A CV is an outline of someone’s professional work which could be academia, publications and qualifications. Basically a CV is professional synopsis of your life’s work

Office of Career Services feels that one should have  proper knowledge on how to write a compelling CV and here are some tips on how to do it:

  1. General Outlook – The Appearance of the cv matters a lot. Always ensure that your font is readable and that you use proper font size . Also ensure your work is neat and tidy and this can be achieved by proper spacing of your paragraphs and lines. Remember First Impressions Matter
  2. Arrangement of the CV  – Always ensure that the most important information is placed in the first page of the cv as readers will tend to look and remember what is placed in the beginning of document.  Sequence Matters
  3. Keep it precise- Keep your cv to a maximum of two pages and ensure you provide all essential information this two pages. Keep it Short And to the Point 
  4. Language – Always use professional language to express your work and achievements. This gives an impression that you are professional and that you can work in a professional setting.  Be Professional
  5. Keep it Relevant –  Always ensure that your CV is applicable/related to the job that you are applying for in order to qualify you as a candidate. It Should Meet the Purpose .
  6. Provide your Contact information – It seems silly but always ensure you provide several contact references in order for the organization to reach out to you. Email and Phone Number 
  7. Check over your work – Once you are done writing the CV make sure you spell check your work in order to remove spelling mistakes and other errors. Spell Check your work

Invest your time and effort  to make a captivating CV and always confirm that is up to date and most importantly truthful.

How to write an effective CV : https://profiles.uonbi.ac.ke/andakala/files/writing_a_effective_cv-albert_ndakala_2007.pdf

 

 

 

 

 

 

Financial Literacy Revolution Webinar by CEO Equiti Capital – Brian Myers

Welcome to Financial Literacy Revolution Webinar by CEO Equiti Capital – Brian Myers

Date:   Friday, 19 February 2021

Time:  3.00-5.00pm (EAT)

Venue: Virtual

To participate in the webinar, please register through any of the following channels below:

Facebook: https://bit.fxpesa.com/3b98kIl

Twitter: https://bit.fxpesa.com/3jSiQrr

Instagram: https://bit.fxpesa.com/3b9DlvQ

Telegram: https://bit.fxpesa.com/2NzNkCj

Whatsapp: https://bit.fxpesa.com/2Nt8Oko

Email: https://bit.fxpesa.com/3u1PpI4

Below is the program of the webinar on the day:

3.00pm:       Students join

                    Financial literacy revolution presentation (Presentation + poll)

  • Brian Myers, CEO, Equiti Capital

3.50pm:      Brief on internship program (how this ties back to our CSR)

Training (workshops) and courses (online classes)

                   – Sam Kiraka, CEO, EGM Securities

4.00pm:      Q&A session (the students can type their questions during the presentation and will be tackled at this point)

                   – Brian Myers, CEO, Equiti Capital

4.30pm:      Announcement of giveaways

Vote of Thanks

ALL ARE WELCOME!!!!

REGISTER FOR HUAWEI ICT ACADEMY 2021

University of Nairobi, Huawei ICT Academy is offering the following Huawei training:

1.Huawei Certified ICT Associate (HCIA) in Routing & Switching.

2. Huawei Certified ICT Associate (HCIA) in Cloud Computing.

Gain knowledge and skills required for basic configuration and maintenance of small to medium-sized networks and the knowledge of virtualization in computing, networking, and storage.

Apply here: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSeGGlkPwOt1BbG3o7N_JEWtq2RuyF8SfNvSmxYUAcQ2-gkO9w/viewform?usp=pp_url OR send email to: icttraining@uonbi.ac.ke

Internship opportunities for top 3 students at Huawei Kenya and Partner organizations

For more information, Huawei_Flyer_2021