Career guidance for students entering higher education: A crucial aspect

The transition from secondary education to higher education and subsequently into the workforce is a pivotal period for young individuals. For students, this transition is particularly significant given the nation’s strategic focus on human capital development and economic diversification as outlined in Oman Vision 2040.
As many school leavers prepare to join university life, it is essential to provide effective career guidance. This guidance plays a crucial role in equipping students with the knowledge, skills, and self-awareness necessary to navigate their academic and professional journeys successfully, ensuring alignment with national development goals and personal aspirations.
One of the primary benefits of robust career guidance is its ability to bridge the gap between educational outputs and the evolving demands of the labour market. Oman, like many countries, faces the challenge of ensuring meaningful graduate employment opportunities, often due to a mismatch between the skills acquired in higher education and those required by industries.
Furthermore, career guidance fosters the development of essential soft skills that are highly valued in the modern workforce. Research indicates that Omani graduates sometimes lack critical thinking, problem-solving, interpersonal communication, teamwork, and leadership skills.
Moreover, career guidance plays a vital role in supporting students’ psychological well-being and fostering a sense of responsibility. The challenges of balancing work and study, coupled with social and psychological pressures, can lead to stress and isolation among students.
Guidance services can provide strategies for time management, stress reduction, and maintaining a healthy work–life balance, thereby promoting self-discipline and maturity. By helping students understand the value of their contributions and the importance of professional ethics, career guidance contributes to their holistic development.
Finally, effective career guidance facilitates stronger links between educational institutions and industry. Initiatives like the Eidaad internship programme, which places engineering students in industrial internships, demonstrate the positive impact of such collaborations on enhancing employability and practical skills.
Career guidance platforms can serve as a conduit for this collaboration, providing detailed information on employment opportunities and fostering direct communication between students, educators, and potential employers. This alignment ensures that academic programmes are responsive to industry needs, ultimately benefiting both students and the national economy.
Investing in comprehensive and accessible career guidance services for students is not merely an educational enhancement but a strategic imperative. It empowers individuals to make informed choices, develops critical skills, mitigates career indecision, supports personal well-being, and strengthens the vital connection between education and the labour market.