How university partnerships can offer hands-on experience for students
By partnering with universities, counsellors can give students a taste of academic life – and can bridge the gap between theoretical learning and practical application
As a seasoned counsellor, I’ve found that one of the most effective ways to guide young people towards fulfilling careers is to provide them with authentic, hands-on experiences. One approach I’ve implemented involves forging strong partnerships with international and local universities.
By working together with business schools and engineering faculties, I’ve been able to offer students unique opportunities for career exploration and skill development. This helps students make more informed decisions about their future studies and career paths, while simultaneously building their confidence and relevant skills.
Partnership 1: university immersion programme
One of my most successful initiatives has been the university immersion programme. This involves partnering with international universities to offer high-school students the chance to take university-level courses. For example, I've collaborated with Hult International Business School, which has campuses in London, the US and Dubai, and with Glion Institute of Higher Education, in London, to provide students with virtual business courses taught by experienced professors.
The aim of the programme is to give students a clear idea of the rigour and expectations of business courses at university level. This experience can help dispel any myths or fears they might have about studying business. Students who might have only been considering business as a vague option can either solidify their interest or realise that it’s not for them.
Partnership 2: collaboration on engineering projects
I have also partnered with engineering faculties – including collaborations with local universities, such as Technical University of Mombasa and the University of Nairobi.
These partnerships have allowed students to participate in real engineering projects. This not only provides hands-on experience but also helps students understand the practical applications of engineering principles, helping them to see the relevance of their studies. By participating in actual engineering work, students can better understand whether a career in engineering suits their skills and interests.
Try before you buy: the benefits of university partnerships
The core idea behind these partnerships is to bridge the gap between theoretical learning and practical application. By exposing students to real-world projects and academic environments, we can help them to experience first-hand what it’s like to work in a particular field. Students are also given opportunities to acquire technical skills, problem-solving abilities and the soft skills that are highly valued by employers.
These partnerships also give students a taste of what it’s like to be a university student: the academic rigour, workload and social environment. They allow students to try on different careers before committing to a particular course of study or profession.
By exploring various business and engineering disciplines, students can identify their areas of interest and potential career paths. Success in these academic settings can boost students’ self-belief and prepare them for future challenges. And interacting with university professors and fellow students can help students build valuable connections.
Advice for counsellors running the programme
Timing: consider running these programmes during school holidays or as part of an extracurricular offering, so they don’t conflict with the regular school timetable.
Accessibility: ensure that the projects are accessible to high-school students. They should be challenging enough to spark interest but not so advanced that students feel overwhelmed.
Supervision: work closely with the university to ensure that students are provided with sufficient supervision and guidance throughout the project.
University partnerships not only enhance effectiveness in guiding students, but also open doors for students to make well-informed decisions about their futures. The key to success lies in building strong partnerships, offering accessible experiences and ensuring ongoing support for students throughout the process.