Careers

Some staff of Federal Polytechnic Oko, have been trained on the rudiments of career counselling and coaching by the institution’s directorate of Career Services.

The two-day staff capacity building and training on career coaching which was sponsored by TETFund was attracted by the Rector, Dr. Chioma Irene Awuzie.

The theme of the workshop is, “Discovering Career Paths in This Modern Age”

The career coaching training is the fourth staff capacity facilitated by the Rector for staff of the institution within one week.

Some staff of the Polytechnic had earlier been trained on Advanced Digital Empowerment Programme for Tertiary Institutions ( ADEPTI) sponsored by the NCC and conducted by the Digital Bridge Institute. Other staff were also trained at Nnewi on Quality Assurance Assessors (QAA) organized by the National Board for Technical Education and recently, the Rector also facilitated the deployment of select staff to the Innov8 Hub, Abuja for the Rigorous Research for Impact training sponsored by TETFund.

the Director, Career Services, Dr. Nwankwo Chioma explained that the directorate of Career Services is poised to offer career services to students, adding that careeer services include those activities that help to guide students to discover specific job positions that match their interests and abilities.According to him, “This training is one step we want to take to actualise the above dreams. The career services centre staff are few to go round all the departments in school, hence the need to train trainers that will assist with the task.”

“We have selected you to be our career coaches in our various departments. We are also working with all the Heads of academic departments in order to achieve the same objectives”

Mr. Nwankwo appreciated the Rector, Dr. Chioma Awuzie, the Director in charge of TETfund projects, Federal Polytechnic Oko, Dr. Helen Nnabuenyi and the entire management of the Polytechnic for their support to the career centre.

The lead facilitator, Prof Harry Obi-Nwosu who spoke on the topic , “fundamentals for effective operation of career office in a tertiary institution”, said the overall mission of the training was to make every graduate readily employable whether in government work, organised private sector or preferred entrepreneurial engagement and to also assist the students reach their full potentials.

Prof Harry who is also the director, Centre for Counseling and Career Development, Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Awka however identified good communication, knowledge and acceptance of individual differences and passion for service as the major skills required of a good career officer of any institution.

Here are 10 diverse career paths:

1. AI/Machine Learning Specialist: Develop and implement intelligent systems.
2. Data Scientist/Analyst: Interpret complex data to provide insights for businesses.
3. Cybersecurity Expert: Protect digital systems and data from threats.
4. Healthcare Professional: Roles like Registered Nurse, Physical Therapist, or Biotech Innovator.
5. Digital Marketing Specialist: Manage online campaigns and e-commerce strategies.
6. UX/UI Designer: Create user-friendly interfaces for websites and apps.
7. Creative & Content Creator: Roles in video, animation, graphic design, or writing.
8. Engineering (Civil, Software, Robotics): Design and build physical and digital systems.
9. Financial Analyst/Investment Banker: Manage investments and financial strategies.
10. Project Manager: Oversee projects and teams across various industries. 

• Sport Management
• According to Forbes magazine, growth for all sports-related industries is currently double the national average. Having specialized knowledge and experience in a particular sport will give you a leg up in landing an athletics administrator position—as will a degree in sport management. A willingness to relocate to be closer to major sports markets will also help your prospects.
• Financial Management, B.S.
• A financial management degree will give you the skills you need to be a financial analyst for a wide range of businesses. If you have a knack for math and strong communication skills, a financial management degree may be for you.
• Healthcare Management
• Given the aging Baby Boomer population, healthcare occupations are in high demand. Medical and health services manager positions are expected to grow at a whopping 20.5 percent. A B.S. in Healthcare Management will provide you with the skills to to keep hospitals, clinics, and nursing homes running smoothly.
• Forensic Accounting
• According to CNN Money, the median salary of a forensic accountant sits at $103,000 annually. Plus, employees give an ‘A’ rating for personal satisfaction, making this a highly desirable job. For those with an adventurous side and an interest in criminology and finance, a degree in forensic accounting may just be the ticket.
• Marketing
• U.S. News & World Report ranks the role of marketing content manager as #1 in their most recent Best Marketing and Sales jobs report. A high median salary and growth rate—coupled with a very low unemployment rate—makes these roles highly coveted. A marketing degree will teach you marketing principles and management, consumer behavior, and the fundamentals of macroeconomics. A growing area within this field is the management of digital content and social media channels, and many programs are now offering concentrations in social media marketing.
• Energy Consultant
• As the U.S. moves toward energy self-sufficiency, there is an increasing demand for jobs in the energy management field. Energy consultants work with companies to reduce their energy consumption, offset energy costs, and reduce energy waste. An energy management degree provides you with the business and technology skills you need to audit a company’s energy consumption.
• Entrepreneurship
• An entrepreneurship degree provides an immersion in the fundamentals of business creation, development, and growth. While the degree can prepare you to start your own business, many Entrepreneurship graduates pursue high salary and lower risk careers helping existing business owners improve and expand their companies.
• International Business
• Do you speak a second language? Do you have a passion for international affairs? If so, consider a job in international business management. Whether working for an overseas division of an American company or a governmental trade organization, these specialists are responsible for oversight and analysis of an institution’s imports and exports on a global scale.
• Focusing For Success
• Now that we’ve provided an in-depth view of the top 10 positions in business, you’re well on your way to choosing the right school and program to suit your career goals. Be sure to keep the expanding job market in mind. Competition for these positions is fierce. Earning a degree—the right one—can put yourself ahead of the pack.