Students have been encouraged to broaden their career aspirations and explore opportunities beyond traditional professions as industries continue to evolve and create demand for new skills in the labour market.

The message emerged during a careers fair organized by the Career Support Initiative (CSI) held at Waterford Ka Mhlaba, a community service organization dedicated to equipping young people with information and guidance on education and career pathways.

The event brought together universities, colleges, government institutions, private companies, and non-governmental organizations to expose learners to a diverse range of career opportunities available in Eswatini and beyond.

Speaking during the event, CSI member Sinaye Mbhamali said the organization’s primary objective is to ensure that learners make informed decisions about their futures instead of limiting themselves to careers traditionally regarded as prestigious.

She explained that many learners still believe success can only be achieved through professions such as medicine, law and engineering, a perception the organization hopes to change through career guidance programmes and exhibitions.

“We want students to understand that they do not have to fit into the boxes society has created.

We want them to discover careers they may never have considered before and understand that there are many opportunities available across different industries,” Mbhamali said.

She said the Career Support Initiative has been operating for 19 years and is headquartered in Mbabane.

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Throughout the first term of every year, members visit schools across the country to conduct career guidance workshops, particularly in schools where formal career guidance programmes are limited or unavailable.

According to Mbhamali, the workshops are designed to provide learners with practical information about different careers, tertiary education opportunities and the skills required in various industries.

She said preparations for the careers fair begin at the start of each year, with organizers engaging universities, colleges, companies, and public institutions to participate in the event.

“The careers fair gives learners an opportunity to interact directly with institutions and employers.

Instead of only hearing about careers in class, they can ask questions, collect information, and discover opportunities they might never have known existed,” she said.

Mbhamali noted that the exhibition showcased organizations from a wide range of sectors, reflecting the changing nature of the country’s economy and employment landscape.

Among the exhibitors were higher education institutions, hospitality establishments, tourism organizations, language institutions, and businesses operating in different industries.

She said exposing learners to this diversity is intended to challenge long-held beliefs about what constitutes a successful career.

According to Mbhamali, students should make career decisions based on their interests, strengths, and the needs of the labour market rather than pressure from family members, friends, or society.

She encouraged learners to identify careers that combine their passions, natural abilities, and employment opportunities.

“We encourage students to think about what they enjoy, what they are good at, what the world needs and what they can earn a living from.

When these things come together, they are more likely to build fulfilling careers,” she said.

Mbhamali observed that creative industries, including music, art, and entertainment, continue to gain recognition as viable career options.

She said these industries have experienced growing demand in recent years, creating opportunities that previous generations may not have considered.

“As much as families may influence your decisions, it is important to stay true to yourself.

Whether your interest is in art, music or another creative field, opportunities are growing because society is beginning to recognize the value of these industries,” she said.

She also urged learners to take personal responsibility for researching educational opportunities after leaving the careers fair.

According to Mbhamali, learners should actively seek information about universities, available courses, and scholarship opportunities both within Eswatini and in neighboring countries.

She said conducting thorough research would enable students to identify institutions that best match their career ambitions while increasing their chances of accessing financial support for higher education.

Mbhamali further stressed that career planning should not end after attending a careers exhibition but should continue through independent research and engagement with educational institutions.

She expressed hope that exposing learners to a broader range of careers would encourage young people to enter emerging industries and create employment opportunities for themselves.

She added that expanding awareness of career options could contribute to addressing unemployment by equipping students with knowledge about sectors experiencing growth and demand for skilled professionals.

The Career Support Initiative believes that informed career choices not only benefit individual learners but also contribute to national development by producing a workforce whose skills are aligned with the country’s changing economic needs.

This comes at a detrimental point as the demand fore career is at its brick .