A Bigger and Better Poly Career Fair Celebrates 20 Years

The Polytechnic of Namibia’s (Poly)’s 20th Career Fair was the place to be last week for students seeking advice or a sense of direction in the careers they wish to pursue.

With a host of exhibitors offering guidance to current Poly students and high school pupils, there was something for everyone, from science and technology lovers to those who seek a career in journalism plus a host of other professions.

The career fair, which took place on Wednesday and Thursday last week, drew more than 200 pupils from 35 schools across Namibia in addition to Poly students, members of the public and 35 exhibitors from both the public and private sector as well as Poly faculty representatives.

Speaking at the launch of the career fair, chief executive officer of the Motor Vehicle Accident Fund, Rosalia Martins-Hausiku, congratulated Poly on consistently staging the career fair over the 20 years. She also encouraged pupils to take in all on offer.

“This will be an opportunity to learn more about careers that are available in the industry and therefore as you go through the various exhibitors’ stands, do not shy away from asking questions about career opportunities that are available at these different institutions,” she said.

Catching a moment between the hive of activity at the event, Poly Rector Tjama Tjivikua expressed his pleasure at the turnout.

“Some pupils never get a chance to experience career fairs and this is the perfect opportunity for them to not only understand employers and their expectations, but also the requirements for them to make it into a certain field of study,” he said.

He noted that the career fair grew each year with a new and more enriched profile. He also added that for students who are doubting the field of study they are currently enrolled in at Poly or other tertiary institutions, the career fair may be an eye opener and a chance to better understand what they really want to pursue.

One of the wide-eyed, bushy-tailed pupils who took in all that the fair had to offer said that her passion for Accounting was further ignited. “I went past the Ministry of Labour and Welfare stall and the people there told me that I can work as an accountant in the ministry as long as I have a university qualification,” said 18-year-old Nodia Shivute, a Grade 12 pupil at Hochland High School. She is now set on enrolling for studies in accounting upon completion of her matric.

Many other pupils and students such as Nodia didn’t only get the opportunity to learn about the vast career opportunities available to them, they also had a chance to network with would-be employers and and get a slight insight into varsity life during the fair.

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