What points are most important to capture in a CV?

The one thing you need to use more often in your CV are the action words, showing your achievemnts and accomplishments, preferably if they can be quantified. For example, if you took over as achairman of a club in campus and increased the membership from 50 to 200 members, a recruiter could look that as evidence of your leadership skills, persuasuion abilities, or community organising skills, all of which are important in

How can I write a perfect cover letter for my first job?

A cover letter is a summary of yourself, beyond taht which you have not written in the CV. In short, don't merely repeat the contents of your CV and put them in the cover letter. An ideal cover letter should just be one page in length, and should probe the HR recruiter to want to enquire furtehr about you. As always, avoid

What are the common mistakes to avoid when applying for a job online?

There are many mistakes one could make, but the most common are;

- Using crazy or inappropriate sounding email addresses. If possible, you could choose just a single professional email address for your official functions, probably containing an initial or an abbreviation of your names.

- Putting too many attachments. Job seekers usually put too many attachments, some of them totally unasked for. If possible, limit the number of attachments to just two, one a CV, and the other for the supporting documents- in PDF form, if asked for. You could copy paste the cover letter in the body of the email. A

Can I study for two degrees at the undergraduate level?

In public universities, you certainly can't, but in private universities, you could double major- take two degrees, or even triple major- take three degrees. However, I believe public universities may soon offer such creative courses, especially in the parallel or module II program. There are however some programs that cut across discipliens and could be thought of as dual degree e.g biostatistics, combining elements of biology and

Where can one study chinese language in Kenya?

Many universities are beginning to offer Chinese studies, but more as a unit than a degree program. University of Nairobi, Kenyyatta University are some of the universities that have full fledged Chinese

Is a degree in development studies and sociology marketable? Where can one work?

Witha degree in development stduies or sociology, one would work mainly for local and international NGOs, as well as work for the govenrment- though the govenrment has partially freezed employent of new workers at least for part of this year. You can also work for microfinance and banking instituions, as well as in the

Can I transfer to a private university from a public university in my second year? Are private universities better than public universities?

You can, although private universities and public universities have some distinct differenecs, which may make the transfer harder, or will force your to start afresh. Many private universities use the GPA system, which which is quite different from public universities that sue the numeric system to grade candidates.. Secdonly, private universities accept stduents froma wide range of educational systems, as opposed to public univesities that mainly attract those who pass the KCSE exam. Having said that, many private university stduents have been shown to be great in communication skills, a bit more confident, and are more likely to pursue a career in the media, arts,. business or information technology. Public university students on the other hand, though

Which careers are best suited for extroverts?

Generally, extroverts prefer careers and jobs inw hcih they want to talk to people a lot, and as such, careers in the media, marketing, or being in the field meeting with people. Generally, these are just assumptions or general rules, as really, there is no evidnece to show that an extrovert cannot become a great accountant or

Which careers are best for an introverted personality?

Generally, introveretd personalities tend to like careers that are more detail oriented,and which require long hours of concentration. Even though there is no difinite line that draws careers for extroverts and introverts, we think that intorveretd individuals may excel in careers as accounting, finance, engineering ( to some extent), and generally, all careers that don't require talking too much to people, as this tends to pull energy

What are some of the leading careers that are set to grow in the next few years?

The careers that are most likely to grow in the enxt five to ten years will be careers in the following areas ( my opinion):

1. Security,. defence and terrorism studies.
2. Early childhood and kindargaten teaching.
3. Foreign languages especially Chinese- mandarin, and French and Kiswahili.
4. Data sciences and analysis as more and more of our lives depend on numbers and data.

If I get a pass or second lower degree, are my job chances less?

If you get a pass degree or Second lower, then you might have a harder time looking for your first job at least, unless you compesate that by having some special extracurricuar or leadership skills, or be practically talented in the field you are applying jobs in. However, after that, then your work experience speaks for itself, and academci credentials make less and less of an impact as you climb higher up the corporate and

What are my job chances as a female engineering student?

If you are a female engineering student, then no doubt you have great career prospects, as many companies are actively looking for female engineers to fill up job vacancies that were previously only male dominated. Howeevr, most female engieering stduents aspire for careers in the electrical/ electronics/ computer

Can I be expelled in case I fail a unit two times in campus?

If you are in a public university and fail a unit twice, then you will be asked to repeat the whole year, and I also sspect, that you will automatically get a pass degree, whcih seems a bit harsh , if you ask me. A stduent in the engineering department at University of Nairobi is in court alleging that the university rescind its decision to make her repeat the third year of her studies after she ahd failed in a unit twice. If  however you

Which certifications are most marketable as an IT or Computer Sceince graduate?

As an IT or computer scinece student, there are certainyl so many certifications that you can enroll for. You can chosoe to enroll for the oracle based certifications, Microsoft certifications, database certifcations, engineeirng certifications, or the accounting and business computing certifications. The thing to note is that egnerally, the technology in the IT field really does run out fast, and what is fahsionable today may be

Which certifications are most marketable as a BCOM graduate?

As a BCOM, the most marketable certification is the certified Public Accountant- CPa or the ACCA. They are basically the same only that ACCA is more expenseive and is also recognsied internationally. CPA is administered by Kasneb and is usually doen twice a year, in June and in December. It is is in three parts, I, II, and III of two sections each, making a total of six sections. You can choose to study the course on your

Should I enroll for a masters degree or take up a job that is not in my profession?

You have quite some tough choices to make. It depends in whcih field you are in. If you are in a field where practical experience is more valuable, let's say in the business, IT or media fields, then taking up the job to gain experience would be the most prudent thing to do. If however you are in a science or an arts field, then you might as well pursue your masters degree first before looking for a job. I assume that even as you take

Now that the government has freezed hiring, does it mean I cannot apply for jobs in parastatals like Kenya Power or Kengen?

You can still apply for jobs within those parastatls, but the vacancies are going to be limited, and the salry scales won't be adjusted for sometime to come. In recent years, salaries in the parastatals have paced to amtch, or even surpass the salaries in leading private companies, and in the govenrment's view, this is simply unsustainable in the long run. However, if you are a health practitioner, or want to apply for josb within the

Should I take up a job in a bank even though I have a Biotechnology degree?

I think you must be in a very deep dilemma. To be sure, it depends on what is your most important priority right now. If you are just out of campus and have no money to pay your bills, then taking the job would be the most prudent thing to do. You would then apply for jobs in Biotech field even as you continue with your banking job. However, if you have some income and are sure you want  a career in Biotechnology straight

I'm in a dilemma as to which career to select. Is BCOM better than engineering?

It depends on what you want, and what you are good at. Bachelor of commerce- BCOM can open great careers in accountign, finance, marketing, entrepreneurship and related disciplines. On the other hand engineering can also open great careers in fields as energy, telcommunications, and the computer scinece and IT fields. While previously the engineering josbw ere not as high paying, these days the parastatals, and private companies like safaricom and Airtel have matche dtheir rates to be almost the same as fiance and

Is a degree in social work really marketable?

In social work, you can work in the NGO fields, in the UN, and in community projects. many of the entry level jobs are not that high paying, but with time, you can rise through the ranks to get lucrative jobs in this

Is a degree in entrepreneurship marketable?

A degree in entrepreneurship is marketable, but let's face it, it doesn't make you become an entrepreneur. It enables you to study for what makes a successful entrepreneur, and how they succeed. For you to become a successful entrepreneur or businessman, you have to plunge deep into the waters, and learn the ropes of the

Is a clinical medicine degree graduate the same as a clinical officer?

A clinical medicine degree graduate has in many ways the same skills as former clinical officers. previously, many clinical officers used to study in universities, but increasingly, this is not the case, as more and more universities are offering the course. The course can be studied in the many universities in the country, or at the

After how long should I change from one job to another?

The days when one would spend all their life working for one employer are usually long gone. In fact, if you have stayed for 10+ years with one employers, some prospective employer might even question your initiative, unless of course you had expanding roles within your company. ideally, you should stick to a job for at least two years before changing it, because again, if you keep on job hopping too frequently, you will come across someone who can's settle or cultivate meaningful relationships to work with one company. It

Can I study a different postgraduate degree from the one I did in my undergraduate?

Yes, it's perfectly possible. However, it will need to be in a related field. Only in certain circumstances can you study in a field that's completely different. The masters of business administration- MBA, is easily the most popular
postgraduate course, for no other reason than that anyone person with an undergraduate degree in whatever discipline can undertake in. However, if you are to make full experience of the MBA program, then you need to work at least for two to four years before going back to school. However, for the

How can I set my foot in the media and journalism industry?

It depends on which areas of the media you want to specialize in. Do you want to be a producer, a presenter, anchor, show host, editor, or just a  contributor? There is no one way to get to the media, but if you are going to work in the frontline, that is an anchor or a show host or a presenter, then you must at least be able to pull in audiences,
which is why many media houses are comfortable with hiring someone who also

Is a degree in supplies and purchasing management marketable in Kenya?

Initially, the degree was offered under the bachelor of commerce or business administration program, but increasingly many universities are offering it as a degree on its own. It is related to procurement in many ways, and one can be
employed in many companies or in government departments. However, you could also

Is a degree in Procurement marketable in Kenya?

Procurement is one of the fastest rising careers in Kenya. Initially, many universities used to offer it under the bachelor of commerce program, but many are now offering ti as a stand alone degree. The opportunities are in virtuallyevery industry. You can also do it as a postgraduate degree, so that you still have expertise in your

Are there positions for university graduates in the Kenya Defence Forces- KDF?

The Kenya Defence Forecs usually advertises for positions to join its ranks every year in the country's main newspaper publications. There are opportunities for both general servciement- thsoe who have a Form Fource certificate, and also opportunities for cadets and professionals, those who typically have a degree or even a masters degree- in any field.
Because of patriotism, and the security of the job tenure many graduates

Which are the top career career choices for women in campus?

While there is no doubt a representation women in all the career fields in Kenya, there numbers are disproportionately high in the business, communication, language, and the Arts fields. Their numbers are lowest in engineering, followed by medicine. However, as more and more women gain access to opportunities in our universities, and the affirmative action in place in university admissions of regular students, there numbers will match that of men soon. Already, the number of  women getting First Class

Is a career in Fashion Design marketable in Kenya?

Fashion design is one of the fastest growing fields in Kenya. Typically, many people start out as a hobby, where they they practice designs on clothes and friends clothes, before they turn it into a career or a business venture. You can also study it in school, although you must have a knack for coming up with new and creative designs every now and so. African Fashion is getting increasing prominence in western and other

Which interview questions can I ask in an interview to know whether the job is right for me?

While an interview is often thought as an opportunity for the employer to know more about you, many people also forget that it is also an opportunity for you to gauge the company, and know whether you are good fit for the jobs, and the company. This will prove helpful as you assess whether or not to take up the job, especially if you've gotten the job offer.

Some of the questions you can ask include;

- Your roles in the new job.
- Your direct reports and supervisor, because a good boss can make your job memorable, while a bad one

Which are some of the fastest growing careers in the Bachelor of Arts fields?

Some of the best careers that are set to grow in the Bachelor of Arts fields includes;

1. Security, conflict resolution, and counter-terrorism studies.
Due to the increasing insecurity in the country and around the region.

2. Foreign languages. 
Study of French- and Chinese- Mandarin, as Chinese companies set up shop in the country. French because if you want to work within the wider African region, you would need some French to be able to

Should I be a christian to enroll at catholic, Africa Nazarene, St.Paul's or any of the church affiliated Private Universities?

Even though most Private universities are grounded in the church and christian values, they do not discriminate based on religion on the students that want to enroll in their institutions. I believe the universities have active programs to encourage students from minority programs to be able to fit in within the larger

Which universities in kenya are the best according to the world university rankings?

Kenyan universities are nearly all the same in terms of the quality of education. Your degree specialization is actually much more important than the university you attended. However, small differences remain in quality. According to the webometrics world ranking of universities, the University Of Nairobi has consistently been rated top, followed by either Strathmore, Kenyatta University, JKUAT, Moi, Egerton, USIU, in one way or the other. However, the rankings mainly measure a universities presence on the web, so, it may be

Should I enroll for a parallel degree program or go to a Private University.

In recent years, Parallel degree programs have proved to be real competition to the undergraduate programs offered at Private universities. There are some courses where you will definitely have to enroll in a public university parallel program, that is courses in engineering, and medicine. However, in the other courses, it will really depend on what you want. Do you want to be a day scholar, and study in the evenings- then a parallel program would be the best fit. If you want to stay outside campus, then also a parallel program would be a

Do parallel degree students attend the same classes as the regular students?

It depends on which university you have been admitted. For the Arts, Science and professional courses like medicine, law, and engineering or architecture, then the parallel students will attend the same classes as the regular students. However, for the business and IT courses, most parallel students will attend their own classes, and have their own exams, which sometimes has led to an accusation by regular students that the

Which are the best universities that offer Bachelor of Arts Courses?

Bachelor of Arts courses are offered in a  great deal of many universities, and the quality shouldn't differ much. However, private universities have had an upper hand in the training of these sets of graduates, mainly because of the small class sizes, and the influential networks and connections that such students draw from,

Apart from my degree, which other skills can put me ahead of the pack in applying for a job?

Apart form the etchnical skills that your degree enables you to get, the importance of soft skills cannot be gainsaid. Skills such as communication , empathy, and the inter personal skills are playing a much more dignified role in the life of a successful office worker. Managers usually administer an emotional intelligence

Do Kenyan employers favour graduates from universities abroad?

Based on many employment surveys, it is true that many foreign university degree holders get many jobs in the middle to top management in Kenyan companies. One reason is that the employers think that a person who schooled abroad has had more exposure, and possibly, will bring new insights to the company. However, the other, and perhaps main reason, is that those who tend to school abroad primarily tend to

Is it better to take up a job in the civil service or in the private companies?

A job in the civil service comes with job security, an average but at least a reasonable wage, and a very flexible working life balance, sometimes even you can take a leave of absence to pursue an undergraduate or postgraduate degree. Also, you will almost instantly get a loan from any bank, and if you are development conscious, then you get ahead. On the other hand,  sadly there is the negative connotation of civil servants being being 'lazy', which is not entirely true, but on the whole, those in private companies are more hardworking than civil servants. On the other hand, in a private company job, you will likely work for long

Are Math and Computer Science graduates marketable. What is their start pay?

Math and Computer Science graduates can work in many industries; Fiance and banking, data and statistics field, in telecommunications sector, as well as in economics. Because the fields are complementary, most Math students tend to do well in Computer Science and vice versa. However, on the downside, there are thousands graduates in these fields, and so, you really have to stand out to get noticed. Perhaps practicing

How can I apply to South African Universities and get a scholarship?

South African universities offer nearly the same quality of education as many Western universities, but just at a fraction of the cost. In the webometrics ranking of universities, South African universities usually take eight of the top ten slots in Africa. Leading universities in South Africa include University of Cape Town, University of Pretoria, University of Johannesburg, Stellenbosch University amongst other universities. Some of the universities may require that you sit for a foundational course of a six or eight months, because the Kenyan education system is slightly different form the South African one. Also, since Kenya is not a member of the Southern African development Co-operation- SADC, Kenyan students have to pay a higher fee than

Which are some of the best paying companies in the mobile and telecommunication sector?

While looking for a great employer, many of us might be mistaken to look at the profits the company usually makes. However, it is not always so that a company making great profits so easily turns out to the best employer. In fact, according to a recent survey by Deloitte, Craft Silicon, a company that makes software, was voted the best employer, and it gets just a fraction of revenues that Safaricom does get. Other

Which careers are most suitable for shy and introverted people?

There are many careers in Kenya in which shy and introverted people could excel in. Most of such careers are detail oriented, and probably require someone to be accurate and to follow order, something that many extroverts avow. Such careers that are suited for the introverted people would include:

1. Accounting, Economics, and Finance.
2. Actuarial Science and Statisctics.
3. Engineering ( All branches).
 However, we all have attributes of both an introvert and an extrovert, but what matters is the blend of these

I'm shy but I want to take up a marketing career. Will I succeed in the profession?

When choosing a career, one of the things to pay attention to is your personality. Needless to say, some personalities are well suited to some careers, and not others. For example, a successful marketer is almost always an extrovert. However, there is a growing field like internet marketing and social media awareness

What are the 3 most important things to pay attention to as I start my own small company while still a student?

As a stduent, when you want to start yur own company, it would be better to have these three things in order.

1. Get the right partners.
The success of your new venture will hinge not just on your talents and skills you bring to the table, but on the partners and employees taht you work with. Choose partners that are complementary rather than uniform or competitive. For example, if you are great in technical programming skills, find someone who is great in marketing that will hep you sell the product and create its awareness.

2. Raise capital. 

You can raise capital from friends, families, or from the many incubation funds sprining up, or your own

I want to study in a Ugandan University. How is the quality and cost compared to Kenyan universities?

Ugandan Universities are cheaper than Kenyan universities, especially if you compare the costs with the costs of enrolling in parallel degree programs, or in the leading private universities. Makerere university is no doubt the most well known of the Ugandan universities, and it also has a parallel program for international students. There are also other leading private universities, the most well known being the Kampala International University- KIU. Make sure though that whichever Ugandan University you enroll in is

Is it true that most of the students that get First Class and Second Upper are from district schools?

While initially that was the case, this not the same anymore. More and more students that are being admitted to study the top courses in our public universities are form national and leading provincial schools, which means that these days more of the students that perform well in campus are also from leading national, provincial, and private schools. In fact, it is even more worrying that also, those students that are getting a

Is it true that national school students do not perform well in campus?

Although it is a popular myth, there is no evidence whatsoever that students from national schools do nto perform well in universities. Students from such schools as Alliance, Mang'u, Starehe, Loreto Limuru, Nairobi School, Lenana and others, do perform as well as the students from the district and provincial schools. However, what is indisputable is that it takes less effort to get an A at say Alliance, than to get a B+

As a bachelor of education graduate, can I still teach at the international schools in Kenya?

Most international schools in Kenya, such as ISK, Brookhouse, Braeburn, hire bachelor of education graduates, but most of the graduates also have one or two skills that they bring to the table. They could be good in drama, or music lessons, personal fitness and gym instruction, or have a knowledge of some foreign language such as French or increasingly- Chinese- mandarin. So, in addition to the education degree you

Are jobs in the banking and finance industry really safe?

Careers in banking and finance are really a double edged sword. While one could rise fast, and even get a top management position in their early thirties, the careers are also the most prone to redundancy, and layoffs, especially as technology is increasingly used by banks. Sure, banking and finance jobs are very high

Which are the 2 Career myths that you shouldn't fall for as a fresh graduate in Kenya?

There are of course many carere myths, some which comes from well meaning paraents, guardians and teachers. However, here are the three that you will find most surprisng:

1. Your degree will lead to your career.
This is especially true if you are pursuing a a bachelors degree. Nowadays, many engineers work as bankers, many scientists work as teachers and so on. You will find that transferable skills like communication, problem solving, creativity, are much more useful than the expertise itself in many work places.

2. Getting a masters degree will automatically open job opportunities.
Sure, on the overall, masters degree recipients out earn those with bachelors degrees. But if the masters degree did not help you gain any skills at all, then you might want to work for a few years before going back

Is it better to enroll for a media studies course at KIMC, or join a university?

If you are going for a diploma program in media studies or communications, then Kenya Institute of Mass Communication- KIMC, has a better reputation than a diploma program from the country's universities. There are many journalists, radio presenters and news anchors, editors and sub-editors that are KIMC graduates and many would hire- or at least offer a helping hand to a former KIMC graduate. Just as with

Is a degree in energy engineering really marketable?

Energy is one of the fastest growing sectors in Kenya. The energy companies like Kenya power, KenGen, Geothermal Development co-operation- GDC, Ketraco, energy regulatory commission, Kenya Pipeline, are just some of the highest paying employers in Kenya. You can get a career in energy through mechanical

Is it better to enroll for a pharamacy diploma at KMTC or in a public university?

Kenya medical training college- KMTC, has certainly built a reputation as a leading medical training college not just in Kenya, but in the region as well. I would therefore advise that you consider enrolling for the pharmacy diploma at KMTC, and then for the degree in a university that has registered the program, and is also recognized. When you are applying for the government jobs in the health sector, I actually think a

Is it better to go for a masters degree or look for a job first?

In some fields, work experience is more valued than the degree. For example, in the business and corporate world, work experience carries the day, so, it would be better if you at least acquired two to three years of experience before starting a postgraduate business degree like an MBA for instance. However, in many science, and arts courses, a postgraduate degree is more valuable than the work experience. So, in such

I want to set up an IT company while still a stdunet. Will it affect my performance in class?

If you want to set up an IT start-up company while still a student, and believe you have the idea, and the necessary resources to do so, then you should start right ahead. However, you should start first as a hobby in your spare time, let's say in the evenings and in the weekends, or in the days when you have long sessions before you have another lecture. Even as you work on your idea, don't quit school just yet, better still, you could ask for assistance from the many incubation centers in Nairobi, or around the country. It is better to start the enterprise while still young because, first, you can make use of the cheap resources around campus, the

Is it true that lecturers frustrate masters and postgraduate studnets in general?

In the years past, a masters degree students could take even four or five years to graduate, but that has now been shortened for most students, as they take three years on the maximum. Obviously, some lecturers may be out to frustrate the students under them, but such cases are becoming rarer by the day. Equally, some masters students are also working, and they may not concentrate fully on their studies, and therefore break

Can I defer my degree course for more than a year?

Most universities will allow you to defer for only up to a year. So, if you wanted more than that, you are gonna have a lot of rough time explaining your case. However, you can take up to three deferrals most universities, so, whatever it is you wanted to do, you could split up the time and take one year offs, as you pursue your other goals. Alternatively, you could choose to switch to the parallel degree program mode, and

Is it true that in many public universities it is teaching asistants who conduct lectures and not full lecturers?

In normal circumstances, the teaching assistants are there to conduct remedial lessons, and assist students in areas where they did not understand. Most teaching assistants normally happen to be students who have just cleared campus, and are mostly starting their masters degrees. While initially many teaching assistants doubled up as lecturers, many universities have moved quickly to tighten up the teaching standards, and only PhD holders are being allowed to teach. At Kenyatta and JKUAT universities for assistance, there has been

Is it true that most lecture halls in public universities are usually overcrowded?

As the number of students in public universities has risen, so too has been the admission rates of universities. For example, while just about six years ago an average of just 10,000 students were admitted through the Joint admissions board- JAB, the intake for last year was in the region of 50,000. If you add the number of students that have enrolled in the parallel degree programs, then the student population is quite high. True, some universities have built facilities and more lecture halls, but more needs to be done so that the quality of

What percentage does the First Year grades account for in the final degree class or GPA?

It depends in the university in which you have enrolled in. In some universities, grades in First Year account for only 5 percent of the total grade. In others, First years grades account for much the same weight as any other year. In other universities, First Year and Second year grades are weighted together, and then reduced to a smaller proportion as to the third, fourth, and fifth or sixth year grades for engineering, and architecture

Which County Jobs are most open to fresh graduates?

There are many county jobs in Kenya in which you can apply for ready jobs as a fresh graduate. Asa start, you could begin by applying for administrative jobs in your home county, since they are likely to be more sympathetic to graduates that are from there, and have schooled in local schools in the area. In fact, more

What are the three most important things that I should learn in an internship or attachment program?

There are many things that you could learn from an attachment or internship job in Kenya. However, here are the three things I think will be the most valuable lessons you could draw from the internship experience.

1. Leaning in the class is very different from practical work.
While in class there is a right or wrong answer to every question, in most work places, the probelsm are very open ended. You could try one thing and fail, still try anotehr, and another, until you find a way that eventually works out.

2. Learn how to network.
It is often said that organization don't hire people, but people hire people. This means that you will have to cultivate meaningful relationships throughout your working life, in order to get ahead in the corporate field.

What is the job market for bachelor of psychology graduates?

The psychology graduates work in the health and medical related jobs, and some do take up careers in counseling, or in the business world especially in marketing and advertising fields, helping promote brands and products in our minds. Some also do take up HR jobs, especially when they do add a HR qualification

What are the best courses to study if I want to get a mining job in Kenya?

If you want to work in the mining sector in Kenya, a sector that is experiencing many gains in recent years, then you can opt to study for any of the engineering courses, all three, civil, mechanical, or electrical, environmental science, mining or minerals processing, geology, sociology degree perhaps to assess the impact of the projects to the local residents. However, for the administration jobs, the qualifications would

What is the difference between Bachelor of Mechancial engineering and Bachelor of Mechatronic engineering?

Mechanical engineering graduates work in fields as production engineering, energy engineering, processing engineering, and fabrication, as well as in the automotive sector. The mechatronics engineers use the same mechanical engineering skills, but also incorporate a lot of computer programming and robotics into their work. The field is however only picking up in Kenya recently, as most factories have not reached that high

What is the job market for the bachelor of Geology graduates?

As with many careers in Kenya, there are many geology graduates, but few job opportunities. Previously, many geology experts were employed by the government in the mining and minerals department, and some few other mines in the country. However, as oil exploration, titanium exploration, exploration of geothermal energy, and a general interest in the capacity of mineral resources in Kenya picks up, geology experts are

What is the cost of the Bachelor of medicine parallel degree program?

The cost of the Bachelors degree in medicine and surgery, for parallel students is usually between Kshs. 500,000 and Kshs. 650,000 at the University of Nairobi. At Moi University the fees for medicine degree courses is likely to be between Kshs. 450,000 and Kshs. 550,000 per academic year. This costs exclude the costs of accommodation, as well as living expenses fees. For the regular students- government

Between Public Universities and Private ones, which ones produce better graduates?

Even though nearly all the universities in Kenya have more or else the same standards of education, there are some distinct differences that many employers identify in the two sets of graduates. Since public universities are generally much older, and also receive funding from the government, they are likely to offer more science and , medical and engineering courses. Therefore, the proportion of public university graduates in these fields is large. However, private universities have excelled in the areas of business, communications and media, Information Technology and Computer Science, and the Arts.
In general also, Private University students- Strathmore, USIU, Daystar, Africa Nazarene, Catholic University and the likes, tend to have better communication skills, are more confident, and can pass their ideas more clearly than  similar public university students. However, this may have more to do with their

How can I apply and get a scholarship to a Chinese University?

Most scholarships to Chinese Universities are conducted through the ministry of education, as they are government to government arrangements. Most are also about studying in the science and engineering fields. The undergraduate scholarships are usually advertised through the press, and usually require that you get a grade A or A-. However, you can apply individually to other Chinese universities and pay a full amount, usually in the region of Kshs.500,000 per month, excluding living expenses. You will normally need a C+ for that. Once enrolled in a Chinese university, you will spend a few semesters or even a whole year , first

What is the difference between International Business Administration (IBA), and Business Administration.

Apart from the name designation, there is not much difference in course content for the two degrees. In both sets of degrees, one would study the general facets of business, that is accounting, finance, marketing, sales, insurance, international trade, entrepreneurship , innovation, and information systems. Some universities like

Which are some of the careers that one can get rich quickly while still young?

Most of the jobs one can get a high salary while still young, and even rise to the middle or top management in their early to late thirties are in the commerce, finance and related fields. Two years ago, a salary survey by the Pricewaterhousecoopers- PWC, showed that in general, finance professionals were the highest paid corporate executives in Kenya. IT and programmers who are exceptionally good may also rise fast,and the

Is it true that most jobs in industrial area pay a starting salary of Kshs.15,000?

While 15,000 per month may seem a bit on the low, the jobs in industrial area mostly pay below what you might have expected to be paid as a graduate from college or university. However, many of the industrial area employers argue that they give you skills that many employers would readily hire you. For many graduates, industrial area is a springboard to apply for future jobs, and many are readily absorbed by parastatals, the civil service, and leading private companies. So, we can say that most graduates do take the

How do First Class, Second Upper, Second Lower, and Pass graduates compare in the job market?

For the first,a nd possibly the second job, the grades may affect your chances of getting a job. For example, since many top employers rreceive thousands of applications for any given vacancy, they may put a minimum requiremnt of an upper second class degree for the job. This is in most part not because a graduate with a lower qualification will nto eb able to do well on the job, but because the HR department may simply want to trim the number of applicants to manageable levels, before furtehr trimming the numbers using an aptitude test, personality test, then an interview. For some employers for example, like the big four accountancy firms, PWC, Deloitte, Ernst& Young, and KPMG, without As and Bs on your transcript, it is almost impossible

Are the online job recruitment sites genuine? Are the jobs posted in these sites genuine?

There are leading online job recruitment sites that are genuine, and which do a thorough background check before posting a job. Job recruitment sites such as brightermonday.co.ke, careerpointkenya.co.ke, kenyanjobs.blogspot.com are for the most part genuine. However, even as a job seeker, you should do your own background checks to ensure the jobs you apply for are genuine. For example, if an employer asks for

What makes for a perfect cover letter when applying for an internship position, attachemnt, or your first job.

A cover letter should be short, a maximum of a page, and should bring out your personality that is not captured in the CV. In other words, don't duplicate what you have written in the CV to the cover letter. It should be free of spelling and grammar mistakes, and should flow well when the person is reading it. In other words, make your cover letter as enticing as possible so that the person would want to look at your other

What is the job market for bachelor of international relations graduates?

Many bachelor of international relations graduates usually work in diplomatic jobs,and in key areas such as the Foreign affairs ministry, as attaches into the various Kenyan government initiatives abroad, and in  regional bodies like the East African community, Africa Union, IGAD, United Nations- UN, and related regional missions and non governmental organisations- NGOs. They

If I get a C- in Math, will a bridging course be sufficient for me to enroll in aa parallel degree course?

It depends on what degree course you want to enroll in. If its a degree course in science, business, or engineering field, then the minimum requirement is usually a C in Math and English. For engineering courses, that requirement might be raised to a B. However, for the other courses, say in the arts or a language degree

What is the difference between bachelor of commerce (insurance option),and bachelor of actuarial science?

Both Bachelor of commerce (insurance) graduates and bachelor of actuarial science graduates work in nearly the same fields. However, actuarial science is much more quantitative, and relies to a great length on lots of statistics and math. Insurance is just one of the many fields that professional actuaries can work in. However, note that getting that actuarial science degree does not automatically make you an actuary , as you

As a female engineering students, what are the job market opportunities for me?

Since there are fewer female engineering students, many of them tend to get jobs pretty fast. The number of female students engineering is lowest in mechanical, followed by civil and then electrical and computer engineering related fields seem to have the highest number of female engineering students. Many female

If I get a retake or supplementary, will I be able to still graduate with a decent grade?

If you get a  retake, that means you got lower than a  D, so that would mean that definitely your performance will be affected. However, if you pass the retake, some universities will give you a maximum of a D, while others will award you the new grade. If you fail a retake more than once, some universities will give you an

When applying for a job, what exactly does a personality test measure? How can I prepare for it?

Different people have different personalities and temperaments. Some jobs are more suitable to people with certain personalities than others, that's why a company would want to find out if your personality is a fit for the job. Given, all of us have at least a trait that can be attributed to a certain personality, but it is the blend and the mix of the traits that determines our personalities. So, for example, if you are introverted, you may be a detail oriented person, who likes order, and could excel in careers like accounting, or data analysis.

In which degree courses is it most approriate to enroll for an online degree?

Mostly, degrees that do not involve a lot of practical instructions would be most appropriate to enroll for online. So, courses in business and the arts, and languages may be suitable, while courses in health and medical studies, as well as courses in science and engineering may not be so appropriate for you to enroll for them online. However, even with the said courses, you have to have a very high speed internet connectivity

I want to enroll in an online degree course. Is it worth it?

Increasingly, many university students are choosing to enroll for online degree course in Kenya. This is largely because the students are either working or are far from their university of choice. Some also choose online degree courses from foreign universities which they like, but can't travel abroad. Even when you enroll for the online degree course, its important to ensure that the university is accredited, both here in Kenya and internationally. Equally, there are some courses that an online degree would be most appropriate than others.

How marketable is the bachelor of communications degree course?

The bachelor of communication degree course will lead to careers in the media industry in Kenya, and also in the public relations as well as related communications jobs in Kenya. You can work in company becoming their face to the public, and communicating the company's stand point to the public. Becoming a company

Can I change to another degree course in the second year of my studies?

If you want to change to change to another degree course in the second year, that would be pretty hard. Most degree change is done during the first two weeks of joining campus. The normal procedure is that you apply to the head of the department or the dean of faculty, and also forward a copy of the application to the academic registrar. if you meet the minimum requirements for the degree course you are applying to join, then you will be allowed to change to your desired course. Normally, the deans or the chairmen (chairperson), of the department will distribute a list around campus during which you time you should change.

In the second year, you will also follow the same procedures, but it would be pretty hard and not a guarantee, and even if you succeeded, you have to begin in the first year. Alternatively, if you are in a

Is a degree in agriculture or farming really marketable?

Even though farming is not something many young people don't want to engage in, there are still opportunities within the sector, especially if you choose to practice farming yourself. There are opportunities in greenhouse farming, and in farming of exotic crops such as mushrooms, and even rearing of rabbits. It just depends on

Between becoming a lecturer , and taking up a job in the private sector, which one should I consider?

Becoming a lecturer has many advantages. You will be able to plan your time well in most cases, and you won't feel as much pressure, at least before the marking of exam scripts starts. The salary may be modest at the start, but may increase if you take up other consultancy jobs on the side. On the other hand, being in the private sector allows you to grow quickly professionally, especially if you are highly talented, but that also

In what courses does it make sense to enroll in a specialised college than in a university?

For certain courses, it would be more prudent to enroll in a college. For example, for specialized on the hands job skills on hair and beauty, technician and craft courses, music lessons, and cookery lessons, then you might want to enroll in a college rather than a university. Sadly, almost all the middle level colleges are being wiped out by universities, which means that in future there will be a lot of shortage in these key skills,

Is it true that the Joint admissions board- JAB also considers marks when admitting students to various degree coruses?

In the last year, the Joint admissions board- JAB, kind of introduced marks also as a weighted factor when admitting students, especially for the highly selective courses. Previously, JAB used to rely only on the overall aggregate points,a nd the raw cluster points to determine the weighted cluster points for each degree course. This means that you may have the same grades with say all As with someone else, but if they have a higher overall mark than you, then they will be given first priority if they have applied for the highly selective courses like medicine. However, there have been

To work in the NGO sector, is it a must that one must start as a volunteer?

When applying for many NGO jobs in Kenya, it's true that as a beginner, you may be asked to take up an internship or volunteer role. Most NGOs will at least pay you some allowance, say transport and lunch, but some won't. So, it will be up to you to gauge whether you are gaining any skills, work experience or contacts

Which are the top NGO employers in Kenya.

The NGO is one of the leading and most high paying employers in Kenya. The NGOs do much work in the grassroots, and their work spans many sectors including governance, corruption, rescue operations, food and relief efforts, and rural community empowerment. Some of the leading NGO employers include Red Cross, save the Children, Transparency International- TI, World Vision, Amref, United nations- UN. The important thing is that NGOs give give you an opportunity sometimes at the grassroots,e specially if you join

I got a First Class Honours degree but I'm struggling to get a job. Are employers intimidated by First Class Honours degree graduates?

For the first job at least, the grades do matter, so, I think stellar grades should be a plus on you, rather than a disadvantage. It depends on how you carry yourself. Are you presentable? Do you have the necessary communication skills? Can you start a conversation and explain yourself? Most importantly, do you have the practical skills to translate what's on paper to the real world. In some jobs, the paper grades may not necessarily portray the practical skills of a person, and so, if you look at all these factors, I'm sure you will be

Between obtaining a Masters degree in IT and doing IT certifications, which one is better in terms of career and job development?

If you you want a managerial job within the IT industry, then a masters degree in It or Computer Science would go a long way in helping you get the job. However, if you want to be better in practical IT skills, then the certifications will likely be better in helping you get those skills. Even better, you can enroll for the masters

Is the Bachelor of Tourism degree marketable?

The bachelor of tourism degree has many job opportunities, but only if you look hard enough. You can get jobs in the hotel and hospitality industry, or as tour and guide operators, as a tourism agent. If you are at least familiar with one or two foreign languages, then you will be in demand especially when it comes to serving

How can I apply to UK universities and get a scholarship?

Application to UK universities is fairly straightforward. What will be hard however, is getting a full scholarship to UK universities. The UK uses a different system from Kenya, so you will either have to enroll for A level studies, or enroll for foundation courses conducted by the numerous universities here in Kenya. There are many local agents of the UK universities, so, you shouldn't have trouble contacting or seeking for

Which bachelor of education subjects are the most in demand?

Initially, the science subjects were thought to be the most in demand bachelor of education subjects. However, this has changed as more students enrolled for the scene subjects, leaving a shortfall in the Arts subjects. Language subjects like Kiswahili and English are thought to be high ind demand, as the performance of these subjects in high school continues on a downward trend. Equally, you can also enroll for

Is the masters of business administartion, MBA, a sure route to the top or middle management in companies?

A rise to the middle or the top management in a company will depend more on the skills one shows, than on the paper qualifications. If the Masters of Business Administration- MBA degree, helps you get important leadership skills, then for sure, it would be a good investment to get you into the middle or the top management. If it helps you improve your decision making, your problem solving, and increases your creativity and innovation, then it is a sure investment. The MBA degree usually consists of specializations in the normal business administration disciplines of accounting, marketing, finance, human resource, general management, entrepreneurship and innovation and related fields.

However, it would be advisable to get a few years of experience out of campus, say between two and four years, before you apply for the MBA degree. This way, you would have better known the business and

What is the job market for Bachelor of Sociology graduates?

There are thousands of students who graduate in both the bachelor of sciences programs and the bachelor of arts programs. So, it would all depend on how you stand out from the crowd. Most bachelor of sociology graduates tend to work for Non governmental organizations- NGOs, the government sector in the provincial administration as County commissioners, District commissioners- DC, District officers, DOs, and related

What exactly is the Bachelor of Business Information Technology, BBIT, degree course?

The Bachelor of Business Information Technology, BBIT, is a new course that is about six or seven years old. It combines elements of the bachelor of commerce program, and the computer science and the Information Technology field. Since computers are becoming an essential part of the everyday work life and office life, these programming has many more IT and programming units that would typically find in a

If I have a diploma in IT, how many years will I take to complete and IT degree course?

If you have a diploma in IT, many universities in Kenya will allow you to start in the second year of study, or at the very least, allow you to skip some units. However, the diploma must be from a recognizable college or university, one that would readily be accepted by the university you are applying to. Equally, I'm also

I love both the arts and the sciences, which degree program would be most suitable and make the most use of my talents?

It can be hard to choose a degree program, especially, as in your case, you fall in between the science person and the arts person. You can choose careers careers which have elements of both the sciences as well as the arts. Such degree programs would include the bachelor of economics degree program, bachelor of commerce, bachelor of business administration, or business related programs. Hopefully, if your university

What is the difference between the BCOM option at Univerisity of Nairobi and the one at Strathmore?

There is no much difference in terms of the curriculum and course structure of the bachelor of commerce program in both universities. You will still be able to learn all the facets of BCOM such as accounting, finance, marketing, human resource development, and some other new fields such as entrepreneurship, information systems, and innovation in both campuses. However, there are certainly differences in the course and teaching approach. For example, Strathmore, USIU, and some other private universities have adopted

Do Kenyan Universities allow for a double degree option?

If you are in a public university, then this option may not be available to you. However, if you are in a private university, then you have the option of selecting two, or sometimes even three degrees- what the private universities like USIU refer to as majors. Sometimes you may concentrate in one field much more than the other, in which case, you will choose a major and a minor. Usually, the universities allow for

What are the three most important things to consider when selecting a career in Kenya?

When seleceting a career not just in kenya but anywhere elese in the world, you basically need to consider the following three things:

1. Job market demand- What is the demand of the caareer that you are gong to select. What is the avarege startng, medium, and managerial salary in the chosen profession? Companies like Barclays, KCB, KRA, or EABL obviously pay higher, so this means that to some extend finance professionals are possibly the highest

What is the financial engineering degree all about?

Financial engineering degree is a degree that is hived off Fiance. It's just another cool name for Fiance. So, you will be doing lots of Math, economics, and statistics, and computer programming, as essentially most of today's trading activities are computerized. You will work in many of the same fields as a finance graduate will work, but also be able to work in some areas where a Math and Computer science/ programming/ IT

What is the difference between bachelor of commerce ( finance option) and bachelor of financial engineering?

Bachelor of commerce Finance option is course that will delve deep into Math, economics, and statistics. The only point it differs with financial engineering is that financial engineering has lots of computer programming that in many ways simulate trading activities. Otherwise, there job prospects are the same, many finance and finance engineering graduates work in the same fields of  retail banking, investment

Which are the best legal jobs in Kenya?

It depends on which field of law you want to practice, and in paractical all of those fields, there are many legal jobs. Do you want to pursue criminal law, commercial law, family law, human rights law, constitutional law, or environmental law? Certainly, in Kenya, Criminal lawyers are the most well known, but not the only ones. Commercial lawyers, though largely unknown to many in the public, also make good money, when advising companies when entering into business transactions, hiring and firing of employers, and advising companies when they want to buy or be bought by another company. This

How do I check whether an engineering degree is registered by ERB and the commission of university education?

You should ideally ask the dean if the engineers registration board- ERB, has approved the curriculum, and whether the university's past engineering graduates have been registered by the engineers registration board- ERB. About a year ago, the engineers registration board was in dispute with universities after refusing to register graduates from new engineering fields. In the past, the professional body only registered mechanical, electrical, civil, mechatronics engineering, and agricultural engineering, but after talks with universities, new

Where do Bachelor of Food Science graduates work and what is their start pay?

Many people tend to confuse food science graduates with  graduates form the hotel and hospitality industry, but that is not true. many Food Science graduates work in food processing plants, helping process or rather engineer food, so that the the food is stored for long periods of time. As such many are hired by food and juice processing plants such as Del Monte, EABL, Coca-Cola, water, wine, chocolate, cadbury, wheetabix,

Which computer certifications are the most in demand?

Computer certifications keep on changing, and a certification that you have studied today may be obsolete in the next two years. So, in programming and related IT and computer jobs, its always important to stay abreast with the latest trends in the industry. Certifications that are associated with leading IT and tech companies are the most well known. For example, Microsoft based certifications, e.g Certified Microsoft

I'm an IT student and want to launch my own small company or start up. How can I do it successfully?

If you are sure you have a sound idea a business concept, then you might want to try and approach the many business incubation centers in the country. You can approach Ihub, or Nailab, or the Kenyatta University incubation center. Alternatively, you can also seek for funding from a bank- though this may require capital. I'm assuming you are already good in technical skills and programming. Conversely, since someone is never great in all aspects of a business, you might want to partner with people who complement your skills, either in

What makes for a perfect CV when applying for a job straight out of Campus?

When you are out of campus, no one expects your CV to be lengthy. So, an ideal CV of 2 pages or 3 pages maximum is all you have to put your education and work experience in.  For the first job at least, academics will play a much more heavy role in the recruiter assessing your job capabilities, so, you might want to emphasize your education credentials, and the class or grade you have got, or are expecting to get. Then, list the work experience, tailoring it to the particular job you are applying for. At this point, since you may not have held any formal jobs, list the internships, plus any volunteer, or community service projects you have participated in. Be sure to mention any leadership positions you may have held, and the roles you held, and hopefully, the change you brought about while playing those roles.

After that, list your hobbies and interests, and finally, your referees, who should know you very well. You

Is the Actuarial Science degree as marketable as it was five years ago?

Five years ago, there were only about eight actuaries in Kenya, but that number has definitely gone up. There are thousands of actuarial science degree nowadays, and they work in the same fields as statistics, finance, business or insurance graduates work. However, for you to become an actuary, you have to do an actuary professional exam, administered from the UK in partnership with the Kenyan centers. So, whereas there are

I want to pursue biostatiscs- a career that is considered new and growing. Is there any wrong in pursuing a career that many employers still don't know about it?

In the last ten years alone, many new careers have been introduced into our universities. There is Business information technology- BBIT, which combines aspects of both the business and the computer science fields. There is biostatistics which you just talked about, which combines elements of both statistics and biology. Many universities were offering it as a postgraduate course, but they are now offering it as an undergraduate course. Then there is the mechatronics, which companies, mechanical engineering, electrical engineering, as well as computer science. So, it really depends on you.

A new course certainly means that there are few graduates in the field, so, you won't have to compete with many people to get the same jobs. In some instances, you will even be saving costs for the company, since

Apart from salary, what else should I look for in an ideal Kenyan employer?

Salary is no doubt the number one yardstick most job seekrs use to asses whetehr they should take up a job or not. After the salary issues have been settled, you should look wehetrh you fit into the company work culture and environemnt. Is there too much hardwork, and no play, is there too much gossip for your own good- granted there is at least some form of gossip in every comapny, but a workplace in whcih employees engage almost all their time in gossip may be a place where you may not want to stay for too long.

 Thereafter, look for how long the salaries are adjusted. How many years does it take before the salaries are evaluated again. Is the promotion based on performance and productivity, or the number of years one has stayed in a job, or a combination of both. In the private sector, one tends to get promoted based on results alone, while in the public sector and the civil service, the promotion is usually based on a combination of

How does one get a job as a KRA Graduate trainee?

The KRA graduate trainee job vacancies are usually advertised in the newspapers, and one needs to constantly check the internet job advertisements to get the job vacancies. The applicant is usually required to have a bachelors degree, many times a minimum of upper second is required. They will then be shortlisted, and an aptitude test or a personality test is administered to the applicants, from which the successful applicants will undergo an

Which are the best careers in the real estate and construction industry?

The construction sector and the real estate is one of the most booming sectors of the Kenyan economy. The sheer number of construction projects in the country means that there are many construction and real estate  jobs being created in Kenya. Some of the jobs in this sector are civil engineer jobs, architects jobs, project management jobs, and construction manager jobs. Contractor and foreman jobs are also quite many in this industry, although they are not as highly regulated as the professional ones. Surveyors and land economists

How many years does one study at the Kenya school of law?

The studies at the Kenya school of law should take no more than two years. However, if you have a foreign law degree qualification, you may have to take longer, or take additional units. There were suggestions to make the law degree program a postgraduate course, but the plans were done away with. If such an arrangement would have succeeded, this would have opened the gates for other professionals to study law, but for now, this won't happen. There is only one avenue to being a lawyer in Kenya- that is getting a

Which Computer Science fields are most marketable in Kenya?

By and large, all computer science or IT fields involve some form of programming. So, if you are great in programming, you will definitely be a step ahead of others. However, you must constantly relearn and keep up to date with programming, as as a language that you learn in first year could very well be obsolete by the

How can I apply to a US University and get a scholarship?

If you want to get a scholarship to a US University, then you will have to apply to the individual university. The US universities are divide into public and private, and there are also two year colleges known as community colleges. You will need your KCSE results, a recommendation from two or three high school teachers, high school report cards from Form one, and also sit for the scholastic assessment test, also known as SAT. The maximum score for the SATs is 2400, and for you to get a scholarship, you will need very high