Overview of Career Development and Hawassa University Career Development Center

The life of a student is an important and dynamic component of tertiary education experience. This is because it provides the students with an opportunity to develop not only academically, but also socially. It is important to note that universities have a responsibility as part of the holistic education of their graduates to prepare students for eventual entry into the work force or entrepreneurship.

In a 2018 global survey conducted by Man Power Group, 45% of employers globally, state that they are not able to find employees with the skill sets they need, the highest this percentage has been in over a decade. In addition to the field-specific knowledge and skills required for the job (technical skills), employers are increasingly looking for employees, both entry level and more senior employees, who have a demonstrated capacity to think critically, communicate clearly, and solve complex problems these skills being considered as important as the candidate’s undergraduate major field.

In Ethiopia, as investments in education, number of universities, and levels of educational attainment have risen in the last decade, job creation and wage growth across the public and private sectors will have to keep pace meeting the employment needs and aspirations of the newly educated.

Regardless of recent growth in the access of tertiary education in the country, there remains a large gap in turning the increased output of first degree graduates into a professional workforce. Although there is a shortage of professional jobs, those that exist are not being fully accessed by new graduates. The youth graduating from universities are facing an increasingly stiff competition to find scarce jobs. In addition, there are gaps in the professionalism of new university graduates who are on the threshold of accepting responsibilities as tomorrow’s leaders.

It is common knowledge that the average graduates with an undergraduate degree do not receive any formal guidance on how to enter and succeed at the job market including on where and how to look for jobs. In addition, our graduates might not have developed job hunting techniques, CV writing and interview skills, etc. This shows that new graduates enter the job market unprepared for the pressures and challenges of transitioning from world of education to world of work. Generally, due to the absence of career guidance opportunities, it can be assumed that new graduates do not market themselves to their full potential and that they will find the job search process more difficult than it needs to be.

To alleviate the challenges mentioned above, Hawassa University established a Deliverology unit.   Deliverology unit was expected to oversee and ensure the implementation of various activities, including teacher and student evaluations, the English Language Improvement (ELI), career development, HDP programs, and others. To enhance students’ employability, the unit has restructured and renamed as Career Development Center.

Founded in 2020, the Career Development Center at Hawassa University operates at the directorate level, headed by a Career Development Center Director and supported by a counselor and college-level coordinators. Its mission is to assist students in making connections between their academics experience & Career Path.

Figure 1: Figure showing early organizational structure of the HU CDC

University community/structure /department that collaborated with the CDC

The Hawassa University Career Development Center established to enhance student career readiness and facilitate successful transitions into the workforce, actively partners with both internal and external collaborators to achieve its objectives. To ensure comprehensive support and maximize its impact, the center seeks to collaborate with various internal stakeholders.

Potential internal collaborators include the president's office and the vice presidents' offices also provide valuable support to the center. By providing strategic guidance and direction, these offices help the center align its activities with the overall goals and objectives of the university. Collaboration with the president's office and the vice presidents' offices helps secure the necessary resources and support to ensure the center's continued success.

The academic departments (Dean’s office, Departments and academic directors), which provides valuable insights into curriculum alignment and industry-relevant skills development. By partnering with academic departments, the center ensures that students are equipped with the necessary knowledge and competencies to meet the demands of the job market. Additionally, collaboration with the faculty leads to the development of career-oriented courses and workshops, providing students with practical guidance and hands-on experience.

The students’ dean and Women and social affairs mainstreaming implementation bureau division are another crucial internal collaborator for the center. These department assists in identifying student needs, concerns, and challenges related to career planning and development. By working closely with student affairs, the center has able to tailor its services to address the specific requirements and interests of the students. Furthermore, collaboration with students’ dean and Women and social affairs mainstreaming implementation bureau facilitates the dissemination of career-related information and resources to students, ensuring widespread awareness and accessibility.

The registrar's office is playing a vital role in supporting the center's activities by providing access to student records and academic transcripts, job placements, and program. In addition,  the registrar's office helps the center by identifying students who benefit from additional career counseling and support.

The University’s communication office has played a vital role in facilitating the dissemination of our center services information through various channels, including social media, email, and university publications.

The students' union can also be a valuable partner for the center. As the representative body of the student, the students' union provides valuable feedback and insights into the career-related needs and concerns of students. By collaborating with the students' union, the center ensures that its services are aligned with the priorities and interests of the student community. Additionally, the students’ union helps to promote the center's activities and initiatives to students, increasing awareness and participation.