When I mention volunteering, some students might click away or even feel frustrated. But hear me out, many of you Form Four leavers are outside school without doing much. Now is the perfect time to start your journey in a unique and practical way. If you have already identified a course you want to pursue, look for a company, organization, or NGO related to that field. Approach them and tell them you want to volunteer. It could be in photography, as a secretary, a supply chain assistant, or any small task related to your chosen field. They will assign simple tasks, but through this experience, you will be exposed to real-life work, learn valuable skills, and gain insights that school cannot teach. Even if you are not ready to do the tasks practically, you can observe, take notes, and learn. The key is not to sit at home watching TV, try to be engaged, proactive, and start building competence early. Volunteer work teaches discipline, responsibility, teamwork, and time management, all skills that are critical for success in university and in life beyond campus. While volunteering, you meet people who already work in your field. They can mentor you, guide you, and even refer you to opportunities in the future. Sometimes, a small connection made during volunteer work can turn into a scholarship, internship, or a job once you graduate. This is your chance to start creating a professional reputation, even before you step into a lecture hall. Volunteering also helps you discover your strengths and interests. You might think you want to pursue a course in a certain field, but while volunteering, you could realize that another area excites you more or suits your skills better. This early exposure can help you make informed decisions about your studies and career path, avoiding regrets later. So, don’t wait until university to gain experience. Take the initiative now, volunteer in your chosen field, learn as much as you can, observe keenly, and position yourself to succeed once you get to campus. Remember, your time between KCSE and university can either be wasted sitting idle, or it can be a starting point to learn, grow, and get ready for university and your future career. Be proactive, take action, and use volunteering as a stepping stone to build skills, confidence, and a professional network that will serve you for years to come.

When I mention volunteering, some students might click away or even feel frustrated. But hear me out, many of you Form Four leavers are outside school without doing much. Now is the perfect time to start your journey in a unique and practical way. If you have already identified a course you want to pursue, look for a company, organization, or NGO related to that field. Approach them and tell them you want to volunteer. It could be in photography, as a secretary, a supply chain assistant, or any small task related to your chosen field. They will assign simple tasks, but through this experience, you will be exposed to real-life work, learn valuable skills, and gain insights that school cannot teach. Even if you are not ready to do the tasks practically, you can observe, take notes, and learn. The key is not to sit at home watching TV, try to be engaged, proactive, and start building competence early. Volunteer work teaches discipline, responsibility, teamwork, and time management, all skills that are critical for success in university and in life beyond campus. While volunteering, you meet people who already work in your field. They can mentor you, guide you, and even refer you to opportunities in the future. Sometimes, a small connection made during volunteer work can turn into a scholarship, internship, or a job once you graduate. This is your chance to start creating a professional reputation, even before you step into a lecture hall. Volunteering also helps you discover your strengths and interests. You might think you want to pursue a course in a certain field, but while volunteering, you could realize that another area excites you more or suits your skills better. This early exposure can help you make informed decisions about your studies and career path, avoiding regrets later. So, don’t wait until university to gain experience. Take the initiative now, volunteer in your chosen field, learn as much as you can, observe keenly, and position yourself to succeed once you get to campus. Remember, your time between KCSE and university can either be wasted sitting idle, or it can be a starting point to learn, grow, and get ready for university and your future career. Be proactive, take action, and use volunteering as a stepping stone to build skills, confidence, and a professional network that will serve you for years to come.