The Strathmore Student Mentoring Services Department formally launched the Industry Mentoring Program on Friday, 9th April 2021. The launch was held at the Strathmore University Business School TransCentury Auditorium with the vast majority of the audience following the event virtually.

Speaking at the event, the guest speaker, Dr. Caesar Mwangi, CEO ICEA Lion Insurance Holdings Limited and deputy chairperson, Strathmore University Council, said, “This new industry mentoring programme is another window of opportunity, solely for the benefit and growth of our students, to help them realize their role of making a positive impact in the world. Recognise this opportunity and gracefully embrace it.”

Prepare for work

Industry mentoring will respond to the mission of the University by improving students’ preparation for the work environment. It brings together students and experts from the industry through interactive group mentoring sessions where the students get to learn about the requirements of professional life in their specific fields of study. The programme will give the students a pragmatic approach to professional life as well as help them develop the necessary skills needed in the industry.

In their first and second years, each undergraduate student has the opportunity to take advantage of personal mentoring. Industry mentoring will be introduced in their third year, as the students begin their last phase of their life. And unlike personal mentoring which is done on a one to one basis, industry mentoring will be carried out in groups.

“Through this programme, we will bridge the gap between our students and their future work environment. We saw the need to initiate it after focus group discussions with faculties and feedback from the Career Development Services on transition of students from university life to work life,” said Dr. John Mutisya, Director, Mentoring Services Department.

One response from the focus group discussion that indicates the timely onset of programme is:

“You know!… we have mentors here who help us on a personal level, but we need to get in touch with the world out there. How are going to get jobs if all we know is how to do assignments?”

Mentoring cycle

The mentoring cycle will run for 10 weeks; the content of the initial meetings will be communicated, while subsequent meetings will be built around the students’ interests, queries and the mentor’s experience.

“The mentoring at Strathmore leverages on one of our key values – personalized attention. This is what sets us apart. Just like a coach plays a crucial role in the development of players, industry mentors play the important role of guiding students in their career paths,” said Dr. Vincent Ogutu, Vice Chancellor Designate, Strathmore University.

Industry mentors will be selected based on their work and life experience in the private and public sector and their willingness to share their time, skills, and knowledge with Strathmore undergraduate students.

Riding on the need to live out the true meaning of freedom, students will be required to apply for this programme, through a portal that is now being developed.

“We are committed to journeying with our students by providing them with the intellectual and moral resources so that each of them are able to prepare to take on the world,” Dr. Elizabeth Gachenga, DVC Academic and Student Affairs.

 

This article was written by Wambui Gachari. 

 

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