Career Lab

Context and Problem

Based on a study from 2024, 93% of Nigerian schools lack dedicated career counselors, leaving students without essential guidance on what to do in the future. This leads to disengagement, reduced academic performance, and delays in career progression. Emmanuel Epueme, inspired by the struggles of his cousin, established Careerlab.ng, a career guidance initiative.

Solution

Careerlab.ng is a platform that offers free career counseling, psychometric assessments, and workshops to help students identify suitable academic and career paths. In the implementation plan, there are two components. First, training and partnerships. The founder completed an international certification in guidance and counseling, gaining access to AI-powered psychometric tools. He also established partnerships with organizations to utilize psychometric tools and collaborate with teachers and counselors to expand outreach. Second, service delivery. The website offers counseling sessions (online and offline), workshops and seminars (conducted in schools and communities), and psychometric assessments, which utilize AI-driven tools.

Impact

Based on the reports from 2024, over 500 students have benefited from free counseling sessions, workshops, and psychometric assessments.

Note: further data collection and analysis will have to be conducted to properly understand the dashboard's impact.

The initiative, which uses AI-powered psychometric tools and partnerships with counselors, can easily be adapted to other regions with similar career guidance challenges. Free counseling sessions and community workshops can be customized to fit different cultural and educational contexts. Collaboration with government education ministries could further expand outreach and institutionalize career counseling. Sustainability is ensured by leveraging AI to lower costs, building partnerships with schools, NGOs, and corporate sponsors for funding, and creating an accessible online platform.

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