By Asenath Were
Uganda Christian University (UCU) students have been trained not only in needlework but also in how to create a strong CV for future job and internship slots in international organisations such as the United Nations.
Uthuman Kafumbe from Atoy Uganda Limited implored the students with business ideas to first develop and build their ideas instead of deciding out of the blue to start up something they had not given clear thought to.
Kafumbe added that for one to start something, they must first look into what they have. “Do not build an idea of making motorized cars if you are at zero; have a plan, begin small, and keep adding on what you have.” He said.
“If you are to do something, do not skip getting a mentor. A mentor is someone who will always guide you. If he or she sees you going astray, they will remind you to refocus. They may not be funding your business, but they will be the ones guiding you on what to do.” Kafumbe said.
Doreen Naiga, a law finalist from UCU and a fellow under the United Nations Youth Delegates program, says that she chose the soft skills program as her project implementation because she wants to bring the skills to the students.
Naiga says that she wants the students to know some of the things she did not know when she was in first grade. She hopes that through the soft skills program they will be able to pick a “thing or two” that will better their lives.
She encouraged the students to keep dreaming and aspiring toward the kind of people they hope to become and, as they do so, to always work at being the best version of themselves.
“No one should dim your light; you have what it takes to be the kind of person you want to be, but as you are dreaming and aspiring to be the kind of person you want to be, work towards that kind of person you want to be.” Naiga said
She added that one should look at being the best version of themselves every day. “We have the same 24 hours in a day as the person we are aspiring to be; even if you cannot give it your all, try every day.” She commented
“Wake up, follow your dreams, and one day a breakout will be possible for you. But in all this, let us try to exercise the principles of Ubuntu and make the world a better place for everyone.” Naiga noted.
Solomon Esadu, law student in his forth year at UCU and a delegate for the African United Nations Youth, says that through this program, he has been able to extend what he too learns to others, he has been exposed, and has learnt so many skills that he never knew about.
Esadu is therefore, happy that they were in position to extend their knowledge to some of the students in his own country and specifically UCU because according to him, they had to first bring it home before going to other parts of the country.
Angela Nakiganda Nakato, a student of medicine and surgery at the UCU Kampala campus, said she attended the skilling program because she is interested in sustainable development goals, and according to her, she has been able to learn how to write her curriculum vitae (CV) properly.
“I have learned that you need to have a vision first of all before you do anything, and when you have the vision and the path that you want, you will be able to prepare to take the required action. You go in for volunteering and do the specific things you have to do before the greater opportunity comes.” Nakiganda said.
William Elvis Ssegawa, a student of science, economics, and statistics in his second year, remarked that he has learned what is required of him to look for and apply for internships and other opportunities in international organizations.
He also mentioned that volunteering is key to our very competitive job market. “When you sit around and wait for a placement where you are going to be earning, it cannot always be a one-way street that you are always going to go there and find a job and be employed.” Ssegawa said.
He added that even when we are still in school, we can always volunteer somewhere so that we can build our CV.
The soft skills program, which took place on June 27 at Nkoyoyo Hall, was organized by the United Nations Association of Uganda through the African United Nations Youth Delegates.
