Career Forge 1.0: Empowering Students for the Job Market Through Practical Career Development Training

A one-day career development seminar dubbed Career Forge 1.0 has been held at the University of Cape Coast, bringing together students from the Department of Business to engage with industry-focused strategies to enhance their employability.

The event, an initiative of Dr. Joana Eva Dodoo, formed part of the project work for Level 300 students offering the ‘Training and Development’ course in the Department of Business at the College of Distance Education (CoDE).

Themed, “From Campus to Marketplace: Enhancing Students’ Employability for the Job Market,” the programme sought to bridge the gap between academic knowledge and workplace demands through interactive sessions.

In her opening remarks, Dr. Joana Eva Dodoo explained that the programme was designed based on a needs assessment of the students and was intended to provide practical tools that would stay with them for a lifetime.

Dr. Joana Eva Dodoo

“If we make our courses practical enough, students will engage better, understand it more deeply, and we can begin to bridge the gap between theory and practice,” she stated.

A Senior Lecture at the School of Business, UCC, Dr. Edward Nii Amarh Amarteifio, delivered a presentation focused on employability preparation. He stressed the need for students to take ownership of their career journey and begin preparing for the workplace long before graduation.

“We have to be intentional about ensuring student employability,” he said, urging students to see interviews, internships, and networking as essential training grounds. He emphasized the importance of personal branding and digital presence, advising students to "have a digital footprint" and "optimize their LinkedIn accounts."

Dr. Amarteifio walked participants through practical job readiness steps, covering the pre-interview, interview, and post-interview stages. He highlighted the importance of knowing the job on offer, having an effective elevator pitch, and avoiding common distractions such as excessive use of social media.

Dr. Edward Nii Amarh Amarteifio

He also emphasized self-awareness as a foundation for career success. “Know yourself, understand your temperament and personality,” he said, adding that these insights would help students align their strengths with job roles that fit.

Ms. Linda Otoo, who spoke on the topic, ‘Enhancing AI and Digital Literacy’, urged students to align themselves with current digital trends.

“Education is no longer confined to textbooks and lectures. Digital literacy is your career currency,” she remarked.

She advised students to identify digital skills relevant to their field, such as typing, using Google Meet, and managing digital documents to build professional portfolios.

 “Let AI be your teammate, not your competitor,” she added.

Source: Documentation and Information Section-UCC