UEG Partners with Fidelis Leadership Institute for Viva College Careers Day

Do you remember the excitement of meeting someone who was already living a future you could only imagine?

For many young people, Careers Day offers that opportunity: a chance to meet professionals from different fields, ask questions and begin to see what their own futures could look like.

The music was already playing when we arrived at Viva College. Across the grounds, students welcomed us with bright smiles and unmistakable excitement. For a day, the school felt less like a classroom environment and more like a bustling university campus: lively, curious and full of possibility.

Beyond the music was the steady hum of conversation. Students moved between partner tents, exploring different professions and asking questions. At one stand, they could learn about engineering; at another, law, design, journalism and the wider media industry.

For the Uganda Editors Guild (UEG), participating in the day was an opportunity to help young people make more informed decisions about their futures and discover possibilities they may not have considered.

“Helping young people understand the world of work includes showing them the people and possibilities behind the stories they read, hear and watch. Journalism and editing are more than job titles. They involve curiosity, clear communication, careful listening and a responsibility to inform the public.” said the acting head of secretariat at UEG, Ms. Fiona Akello.

On Sunday, 27 September 2026, UEG joined the Fidelis Leadership Institute and more than 50 professionals from over 20 organisations for a day of career conversations and discovery with students.

The students first explored the partner stands at their own pace before gathering for tailored sessions across four career clusters: Biologicals, Physicals, Humanities and Vocationals.

Inside the sessions, the questions became more specific. What does a professional do each day? Which skills matter beyond the classroom? And what happens when a career takes an unexpected turn?

Through presentations and conversations with professionals, students explored the qualifications, practical skills, adaptability and continued learning required to navigate different career paths.

For one student, the experience offered a broader perspective on choosing a career.

“I have learnt that choosing a career is not only about the subjects you are good at. It is also about understanding your interests, developing the right skills and being willing to learn from people who have experience in the field. The professionals give us advice that we can start applying now while we are still students.”

Another student highlighted the value of speaking directly with people already working in different fields.

“Sometimes we hear about different careers but we don’t really know what people in those careers do every day. Hearing their experiences helped me understand what I should expect and how I can prepare myself.”

For another student, the conversations opened up possibilities beyond an already chosen career path.

“I came here knowing the career I wanted to pursue, but after interacting with professionals from different fields, I realized there are many opportunities and different ways I can use my skills in the future. The event opened my mind to careers I had not thought about before.”

Together, these reflections point to the value of career exposure. Meeting professionals does not necessarily determine what a young person will become, but it can help them ask better questions, understand their options and begin preparing for the future with greater confidence.

The conversations also looked beyond the event itself. Viva College Principal, Mr. Anguyo Denis Alfred, spoke about creating opportunities for students to gain practical experience through internships during their school holidays. Such opportunities can help young people connect what they learn in the classroom with the realities of the workplace.

For the Uganda Editors Guild, the day was about more than introducing students to careers in journalism and editing. It was also about helping them understand the people and skills behind the information they encounter every day, while encouraging them to explore how their own interests and abilities might contribute to society.

After all, sometimes the first step towards imagining a future is meeting someone who can help make it seem possible.

Read more about UEG’s work here;