By Nixon Bugo
Greetings and new year compliments for 2026! I have been dedicating a lot of effort and professional investments to support youth development through youth mentorship and incubation support.
First, allow me to take this opportunity to sincerely congratulate all the candidates who sat the just concluded KCSE examinations. Again, I deliberately say those who “sat” and not those who “passed”, because success at this stage is relative.
Each candidate has taken an important step in their academic journey, and for that alone, they deserve recognition. I wish them all the very best in their next phase of education and eventual professional careers.
As the dust settles after the examinations, conversations in many homes will be quickly shifting from results to careers.
Some students may have already identified their preferred career choices and, by extension, their career paths.
While this clarity is commendable, it is important to caution both students—and more importantly parents—that this stage is extremely delicate and must be handled with care, balance, and foresight.
The professional, employment and business market today is dynamic, competitive, and increasingly complex. It does not always reward what appears attractive or prestigious from a distance. Careers (whether employment or business) evolve, some become saturated, others are disrupted by technology, and entirely new fields emerge with time.
Decisions made hastily, driven by excitement, peer pressure, or societal expectations, may not always serve the long-term interests of the student.
At this point, some parents and students may already be celebrating prematurely—referring to their children, say, as “doctor,” “engineer,” “lawyer,” or other professional titles.
While this can be motivating and well-intentioned, it can also create unnecessary pressure and unrealistic expectations. A professional title is not achieved by a name alone; it is earned through years of discipline, resilience, aptitude, and consistent performance. There is a significant journey between KCSE and professional qualification or business success, and not every student who starts the journey necessarily finishes it in the same path.
Parents must therefore be careful not to project their own unfulfilled dreams, social aspirations, or status considerations onto their children.
Career guidance should not be about prestige alone, but about alignment—alignment between the student’s abilities, interests, personality, values, and the realities of the job or business market.
A student who excels academically may still struggle in a profession that does not match their temperament or passion. Many of us are not in the profession we studied.
One of the most important roles parents can play at this stage is that of informed guides rather than decision-makers.
This involves listening to the student, encouraging honest self-assessment, and exposing them to accurate information about various careers.
Parents should encourage career research, engagement with mentors, professionals, career counselors, and even short-term exposure or internships where possible. These interactions often provide a more realistic picture than assumptions based on societal narratives.
Additionally, parents must recognize that career paths are no longer linear. The idea that one chooses a course, graduates, and practices the same profession for life is increasingly outdated. Many professionals today change careers multiple times, pursue further specialization, or blend skills across disciplines. Therefore, flexibility and transferable skills such as critical thinking, communication, adaptability, and digital literacy are just as important as the specific course chosen.
It is also critical to manage expectations around failure and change. A student may start a course and later realize it is not the right fit. This should not be viewed as a failure but as part of growth and self-discovery. Parents who create safe spaces for such conversations empower their children to make better long-term decisions rather than forcing persistence in unsuitable paths.
In conclusion, the period immediately after KCSE is not just a transition—it is a foundation-laying phase. Excitement is natural, optimism is healthy, but wisdom lies in restraint and informed decision-making. Parents should guide with patience, humility, and openness, remembering that the ultimate goal is not just a professional title, but a fulfilled, productive, and resilient individual. When career choices are guided thoughtfully and collaboratively, students are better positioned not just to succeed, but to thrive in an ever-changing world.
The author supports “Enable Youth program” in Africa.
