Finding Your Path: A Career Panel Inspires AIA Students.
At Action in Africa (AIA), we're committed to empowering our students not just with academic knowledge but with the tools they need to build fulfilling lives and careers. On August 30th, we took a significant step in that direction by hosting a career panel at Prime Gardens in Nakuwadde. This event was the culmination of weeks of careful planning, from brainstorming and inviting panelists to ensuring every detail was in place to create a welcoming and insightful experience for our students.
Gladys Kalema-Zikusoka, Ugandan Veterinarian and Founder and CEO of Conservation Through Public Health
Among the prominent penalists we received on that day was our own Ambassador Dr. Gladys Kalema Zikusooka. She advised students to follow their deepest passion, using her own journey as Uganda's first wildlife veterinarian and her work with endangered mountain gorillas as an example. She stressed the importance of adopting a holistic (One Health) approach, explaining that complex problems like wildlife conservation require bridging different fields, such as animal health, human public health, and environmental sustainability.
Finally, she encouraged them to be innovative and entrepreneurial by finding creative, community-focused solutions, such as her decision to start her own organization, Conservation Through Public Health (CTPH), to make a real impact. To encourage the students' passion for conservation and public health, she promised to offer free internship slots at her organization for interested and dedicated candidates.
Derrick Kwesagira, Lawyer and Action in Africa Secondary and University Scholarship Alumni
A distinguished alumni who began his journey with us in primary school and went on to earn a Bachelor's Degree in Law. He now serves as an advocate and company secretary at Kibuuka Musoke and Tendo Advocates in Mengo, Kampala, where he applies his legal expertise.
Speaking to his fellow AIA scholars, Derrick shared his powerful story. He recounted a time when he attended school barefoot and in a worn-out uniform. He also commended the support he received from AIA, he was able to overcome those early challenges. He highlighted the remarkable change from attending school in a ragged uniform to now wearing a professional suit, a symbol of his success.
Derrick's message to the scholars was one of encouragement and perseverance. He urged them to never give up and to remain focused on their goals until they achieve them
Bridging the Gap Between Learning and Earning
The main purpose of the panel was to expose our scholarship students to diverse career paths and provide them with real-world professional insights. Many students have a limited view of what's possible, often only considering traditional fields like medicine or law. We wanted to broaden their perspectives and show them a wide range of careers, including those in emerging fields like green energy and digital arts. The event was also designed to help students connect what they are learning in school to the skills and knowledge needed in the workforce. Hearing directly from professionals about what they look for in an employee, like strong communication skills, a positive attitude, and a love for what you do, was invaluable.
The day was filled with engaging activities, which ensured a lively and rewarding exchange between the panelists and students. One of the most impactful moments occurred during the question-and-answer session. Students asked insightful questions that went beyond the typical career advice. They wanted to know:
What motivated you to choose your career path, and has that changed since graduation? Panelists emphasized the importance of passion and determination. One key takeaway was the advice to always have a "Plan B" and to be good at more than one thing. They revealed that in today’s world, you need diverse skills to adapt to changing job markets.
What challenges did you face transitioning from school to the "real world," and how did you overcome them? This question sparked some powerful stories. Panelists shared personal experiences of volunteering for years without pay, all to prove their worth and land a paid position. Their message was clear: embrace volunteer opportunities not for the pay, but to improve your skills and show you're a good fit.
One panelist also gave a powerful piece of advice about maintaining personal integrity in the job search. They encouraged students to show up for interviews with confidence and pride, reminding them that their worth is not up for negotiation.
Dr. Dianah Nassimbwa, from the Ministry of Health
Dianah, a Laboratory Logistics Officer with the Ministry of Health's Uganda National Health Laboratory and Diagnosis Services Department, is also a humanitarian. She encouraged students to persevere and endure to achieve their goals, emphasizing that sticking to their passion is key to gaining the trust and respect of their supervisors.
Dianah shared a powerful personal story to illustrate her points. Knowing that jobs were scarce, she volunteered at the Ministry of Health after her internship, working without pay for over two years. She even walked from Buganda Road to her workplace daily. Her dedication and hard work were eventually recognized by her supervisor, who helped her get a permanent position and placed on the payroll. She advised the students to be patient, as great things often take time and dedication.
Sana Musanje, Mechanical Engineer with Savior Consultancy Services
Mechanical engineer and consultant, Sana shared essential career lessons with students. Her first piece of advice was to study diligently to unlock opportunities, which she exemplified with her own story of securing a scholarship to study in Algeria. She clarified that mechanical engineering is a broad field with specializations like energy management and solar power, not just car repair.
Sana, who currently works as a consultant after years with various organizations, emphasized the value of professional flexibility and self-management. She encouraged students to explore different career paths, drawing on her own shifts from engineering to teaching and now focusing on climate and environment project management. Finally, she stressed the importance of climate awareness and protection for their generation.
The session continued with smaller group discussions where students got to dive deeper into specific career fields with professionals. The day concluded with interviews, group photos, and closing remarks from AIA’s Country Director, Our Finance Manager Nicholas, Mr. Ocitti David, and Dr. Gladys Kalema, who all praised the event's potential to prepare students for the real world.
The event was a huge success and our students departed with a fresh perspective that education is just one part of the equation though ignition is needed in networking, communication skills, and a strong personal brand are equally crucial. We are excited to see how this experience will shape their future decisions.
The career panel was a powerful catalyst for our students' professional growth but with a diverse range of career decisions, guidance and navigating their paths. This is just the beginning of our work to connect our students with the opportunities and mentorship they need to succeed.
