By Otitoju Femi
The Vice-Chancellor of the Federal University Oye-Ekiti (FUOYE), Prof. Joshua Olalekan Ogunwole, has reaffirmed the institution’s commitment to producing globally competitive graduates by equipping final-year students with employability, career and entrepreneurial skills through its maiden Career Preparation Programme.
The Vice-Chancellor stated this on Friday during the programme organised by the Directorate of Career Services for final-year students at the Twin Agriculture Auditorium, Ikole Campus.
Represented by the Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Administration), Prof. Tajudeen Opoola, Prof Ogunwole described the initiative as another demonstration of the University’s commitment to securing the future of its students.
“The Vice-Chancellor asked me to tell you that this programme is an extension of the love the University management has for you. One of the best ways to demonstrate that love is to organise programmes that prepare students for life after graduation,” he said.
He explained that the University’s responsibility goes beyond admitting, training and graduating students.
“Our concern does not end when you receive your certificates. We want to know where you work, how well you are performing and the impact you are making after graduation and the National Youth Service Corps. What you become matters to us. This training is designed to prepare you for the future because we are teaching you how to fish, not merely how to eat fish,” he added.
Earlier, the Director of Career Services and newly elected Dean of the Faculty of Communication and Media Studies, Prof. Adebola A. Aderibigbe, said the programme was conceived to bridge the gap between academic excellence and workplace readiness.
He noted that the initiative was translating the Vice-Chancellor’s vision of purposeful student engagement into practical action.
“Our findings show that FUOYE students are passionate, capable and possess the potential to excel anywhere in the world. However, many are not securing employment opportunities at the level they should. This is not because they lack competence but because many have not received adequate preparation in the career requirements, skills and processes needed to access available opportunities,” he explained.
Aderibigbe said the programme was designed to expose students to workplace realities, strengthen their employability, improve their career documentation and prepare them to compete successfully in the global labour market.
“Our goal is to sharpen the employability of FUOYE graduates and ensure they leave the University not only with certificates but also with the confidence, skills and professional readiness required to succeed in the world of work,” he added.
Delivering the keynote lecture titled “Turning Competence into Visibility: Positioning Yourself for Global Opportunities,” digital communications strategist and career development expert, Isioma Ojeme, challenged students to move beyond competence by intentionally making themselves visible to employers and career opportunities.
She introduced the SEEN Framework—Show Up, Establish Proof, Engage and Nurture Opportunities—which she described as a practical roadmap for transforming competence into career visibility.
“Show up. Establish proof. Engage the right people. Then opportunities find you. Competence got you this far. SEEN is how the world finds out,” she said.
Ojeme urged students to build professional digital identities that project the value they can offer rather than merely identifying themselves as graduates.
She advised participants to choose social media platforms strategically according to their career aspirations, noting that LinkedIn and Instagram remain effective for professional visibility, while TikTok, YouTube and X also provide opportunities depending on individual career goals.
Sharing her experience, she disclosed that recruiters discovered her through her online profile.
“I did not apply for my current job. They found me. I built my profile not to apply for jobs but to be found by opportunities,” she revealed.
She encouraged students to use professional photographs, write compelling personal biographies, incorporate industry keywords into their profiles and build digital portfolios showcasing their achievements.
According to her, employers now place greater emphasis on demonstrable competence than academic qualifications alone.
“Your certificate says qualified; your portfolio says valuable,” she stated.
Ojeme also demonstrated how emerging Artificial Intelligence tools such as ChatGPT and Gamma could be used to develop professional portfolios, prepare curriculum vitae, refine scholarship applications and conduct interview simulations.
She, however, cautioned against excessive dependence on Artificial Intelligence.
“AI is a tool, not a replacement for you. The tool itself does not make you money. What you do with it does,” she advised.
She encouraged students to build genuine professional relationships instead of merely searching for vacancies.
“People cannot recommend who they cannot see,” she remarked.
She also emphasised consistency in personal branding through regular content creation.
“We are not in a perfection economy. We are in a consistent economy,” she opined.
Speaking on scholarship opportunities, Ojeme urged participants to adopt long-term career planning by intentionally building experience, measurable impact and strong professional relationships before submitting applications.
“Build first, then apply strong. Every role should feed the story your scholarship application will eventually tell,” she advised.
Recalling one of her interview experiences, she attributed her success to deliberate preparation.
“The CEO welcomed me to the team during the interview itself because I prepared strategically,” she recounted.
She urged participants to sustain their visibility, strengthen their portfolios, build meaningful professional networks and remain committed to continuous learning.
“You already have the competence. Now let opportunities find you. Go and be impossible to miss,” she charged.
Another resource person and Founder/Chief Executive Officer of CA Space Global, Ms. Chioma Laura Arah, who spoke on “CV Writing, Interview Mastery and Professional Communication,” observed that today’s graduates compete in an increasingly global and highly competitive labour market.
“The job market you’re walking into isn’t the one your parents walked into. It is more global, more competitive and more skills-driven. Employers are no longer impressed by degrees alone; they want evidence of what you can actually do,” she said.
She urged students to cultivate professionalism, emotional intelligence, consistency and reliability while remaining receptive to constructive feedback.
Describing interviews as opportunities for mutual assessment, Arah advised participants to approach recruitment exercises with confidence and authenticity.
“Interviews are not interrogations; they are two people finding out if there is a mutual fit,” she explained.
She introduced the STAR+ Framework—Situation, Task, Action, Result and Reflection—as an effective strategy for answering interview questions with clarity and confidence.
Arah also dispelled the misconception that fresh graduates lack valuable experience, explaining that class projects, internships, leadership positions, volunteer engagements and personal initiatives all constitute relevant experience.
She warned against poorly written curriculum vitae containing unnecessary personal details and generic career objectives, urging students to prepare concise, achievement-driven CVs compatible with Applicant Tracking Systems (ATS) while quantifying their accomplishments wherever possible.
The career expert also stressed the importance of credible referees, professional email etiquette, workplace confidentiality, effective communication and proper documentation.
She further warned participants against fraudulent recruitment schemes, advising them to verify prospective employers through official websites, authentic email domains and professional networking platforms before accepting employment offers.
“Your future is shaped by the choices you make today. Invest in your skills, build your visibility and never stop learning,” she charged.
Speaking on “The Route to Seven Figures,” career mentor and entrepreneur, Mentors Tower, represented by Mr. Abraham Oluwarotimi, said success in today’s workplace depends more on value creation than academic certificates.
“Your degree may open the door, but your skills, attitude and ability to create value will determine how far you go in your career,” he said.
He challenged students to acquire digital, leadership, communication and analytical skills capable of distinguishing them in the labour market.
According to him, integrity, discipline, accountability and a positive attitude remain qualities employers consistently seek.
“Success in the workplace begins with the right attitude. Employers are looking for dependable individuals who demonstrate integrity, teamwork and a willingness to learn,” he explained.
Oluwarotimi also guided participants on writing effective curriculum vitae, succeeding in aptitude tests and excelling during interviews, stressing that preparation, confidence and professionalism significantly improve employability.
“A good CV should market you before you enter the interview room. It should immediately convince an employer that you are worth considering,” he stated.
The programme featured interactive sessions during which participants sought clarification on career planning, interview expectations, workplace ethics, scholarship opportunities, digital branding and professional development
Dignitaries at the event included the University Registrar, Mr. Mufutau Adesina Ibrahim; the Head of Ikole Campus, Prof. Ayodele Fajimi; the Director of Works, Mrs. Bridget Olaiya; the Dean of Students Affairs and Support Services, Prof. Babalola Temitope; deans, directors, members of staff and other stakeholders within and outside the University community.
Photo credit: Femi Otitoju
