----FUTA Don
The proper integration and execution of Career Services in students’ curricula will enhance employability and build pathways to successfully connecting education to the job market while transitioning from academia to professional careers. Professor Ayo Olajuyigbe, Director, Advancement Centre, Federal University of Technology, Akure, FUTA submitted while speaking on the theme “Career Services: Improving Employability and Building Career Bridges” at the maiden career talk organized by the University’s newly established Centre for Career Services on Monday August 26, 2024.
He explained that career services provide students and graduates with resources and support to enhance their employability by guiding career planning, resume building, interview preparation, and networking.
Professor Olajuyigbe emphasized the critical role of career services in bridging the gap between education and employment. He outlined several key strategies for improving employability, including the importance of developing transferable skills, gaining practical experience, and cultivating professional networks.
He noted that employability goes beyond academic qualifications, rather encompasses a wide range of skills and attributes that make a graduate attractive to employers, adding that career services play a pivotal role in helping students and graduates identify these skills and leverage them effectively in the job market.
He also highlighted the significance of internships, mentorship programmes, and continuous learning as vital components of career development. He also stressed the need for universities to collaborate closely with industries to create opportunities for students to gain hands-on experience and build meaningful connections.
While appreciating the challenges faced by graduates in securing employment, particularly in a rapidly changing global economy, he encouraged the students to be proactive in seeking out career services and to take advantage of the resources available to them, such as resume workshops, interview coaching, and job fairs.
Earlier, the Vice Chancellor, Professor Adenike Oladiji said it was essential for the University as an academic Institution to not only impart knowledge but also prepare students for the professional world. She expressed commitment to equipping the University’s graduates, while in school with the skills, experiences, and networks necessary to succeed beyond the classroom, highlighting the same as a catalyst to a seamless transition.
She noted that the availability of career services was important to achieving robust relationships between academia and the industry. She said “They bridge the gap between education and employment, guiding students as they transition from university to the workplace. This talk exemplifies our dedication to fostering a supportive environment where our students can develop their careers, build meaningful relationships, and navigate their professional journeys with confidence.”
She urged the students not to jettison insights on improving employability and building career bridges as they are invaluable, whilst requesting the academia to continue to create opportunities, empower students, and build a future where they can thrive in whatever path they choose.
Professor Folasade Dahunsi, the Centre’s Director explained that the Centre was a TETFUND initiative aimed at making students employable in the long run. She said the Centre will map out strategies and follow through processes outlined to support students and alumni in their professional journeys from enrolment to post-graduation.
The Centre as part of its commencement of activities also organized a training for career Services committee members and a student’s interactive session with some key players in the digital economy.
