Viva College, in partnership with the Fidelis Leadership Institute (FLI), successfully hosted a Careers Day on 27 September 2026, bringing together approximately 50 professionals representing more than 20 organisations to engage students on career opportunities, professional development, and the realities of the workplace.

Held at Viva College, the event provided students with a valuable opportunity to interact directly with professionals from diverse industries, learn from their career journeys, ask questions, and gain practical insights to help them make informed decisions about their education and future careers.

Connecting Classroom Learning to the World of Work

Choosing a career involves more than selecting subjects or pursuing academic qualifications. Young people also need exposure to different professions, an understanding of workplace expectations, and guidance from people with practical experience.

The Careers Day addressed this need by creating a platform for students to explore professional pathways, discover new interests, and understand the skills and qualifications required to succeed in different fields.

Participants were organised into four career clusters aligned with their interests and aspirations:

• Biological Sciences: Medicine, nursing, pharmacy, and dentistry.
• Physical Sciences: Engineering, information and communication technology (ICT), architecture, and construction management.
• Humanities: Law, accounting, banking, marketing, human resource management, and journalism.
• Vocational Careers: Art and design, agriculture, and practical, hands-on skills.

Through presentations, interactive discussions, and question-and-answer sessions, students gained insights into professional responsibilities, career journeys, workplace challenges, and opportunities for growth. Discussions also highlighted the importance of adaptability, networking, continuous learning, professionalism, and personal character.

FLI Emphasises the Importance of Early Leadership Development

Speaking during the event, Senior Counsel Pheona Wall, Executive Director of Fidelis Leadership Institute, connected the Careers Day to FLI’s ASPIRE Programme, which seeks to nurture young people into ethical, confident, and responsible future leaders.

She emphasised the importance of beginning leadership development and career readiness early by giving young people opportunities to learn from experienced professionals.

Through the ASPIRE Programme, FLI seeks to raise Faithful, Available, and Teachable (F.A.T.) leaders by equipping young people with values, skills, experiences, and opportunities to explore their potential.

The Careers Day reflected this commitment by helping students connect classroom learning with real-world professional experiences and encouraging them to take an active role in preparing for their futures.

Creating Pathways to Mentorship and Internships

The event also opened opportunities for stronger relationships between education institutions and industry.

Speaking at the Careers Day, Viva College Principal Michael Edunyu Adoa highlighted the institution’s interest in creating opportunities for students to gain practical experience through internships during school holidays.

The engagement offered a starting point for potential collaborations involving mentorship, workplace exposure, internships, and career guidance.

The Chairman of the Viva College Board of Directors and the College Director, Mr and Mrs Kisaame, also encouraged students to make the most of the opportunity by asking questions, learning from professionals, and thinking carefully about the futures they want to build.

Students Discover New Possibilities

For many students, the Careers Day provided perspectives that extended beyond what they had learnt in the classroom.

One student reflected:

“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.”

Another student explained that speaking directly with professionals helped them understand what different careers involve daily and how to prepare for the expectations of the workplace.

For others, the event introduced career options they had not previously considered, broadening their understanding of how their interests and abilities could translate into different professional opportunities.

These experiences reinforced the value of career guidance that combines academic preparation with practical exposure, mentorship, and self-discovery.

More Than 20 Organisations Invest in the Next Generation

The Careers Day attracted professionals and representatives from more than 20 organisations across sectors including engineering, finance, law, healthcare, media, insurance, manufacturing, education, and the creative industries.

Participating organisations included:

• Liberty Insurance Uganda
• Kiira Motors Corporation
• Her Working Women
• Uganda Society of Architects
• Uganda Institute of Professional Engineers – Jinja
• Pan Dental Surgery
• Guaranty Trust Bank (GTCO)
• Uganda Editors Guild
• Metropolitan Republic
• Nabasa & Co. Advocates
• Study Net
• K-Roma Bella Juice
• Locs & More
• Henrison Basketball Academy
• Uganda National Association of Builders, Suppliers and Engineering Contractors (UNABSEC)
• Aviation School
• Global Study Uganda
• Metropolitan Uganda
• Pepsi
• Kakira Sugar Works

Their participation gave students direct access to professionals and organisations working in fields relevant to their academic interests and future aspirations. The event also allowed organisations to engage with emerging talent and explore opportunities for future mentorship, internships, and collaboration.

FLI and Viva College extend their appreciation to all the participating professionals and organisations for investing their time, knowledge, and experience in the development of young people.

Preparing Young People for the Future of Work

The FLI–Viva College Careers Day 2026 demonstrated how collaboration between educational institutions, professional organisations, and leadership development initiatives can help prepare young people for the world of work.

By exposing students to diverse career pathways and connecting them with experienced professionals, the initiative helped bridge the gap between classroom learning and practical workplace expectations.

For Fidelis Leadership Institute, this work forms part of a broader commitment to youth empowerment, career readiness, mentorship, and values-based leadership.

Through initiatives such as the ASPIRE Programme, FLI continues to champion the development of young people who are equipped not only with professional knowledge and practical skills but also with the integrity, character, and purpose needed to contribute meaningfully to their communities.

The Careers Day serves as a reminder that investing in young people’s leadership and career development today helps prepare the ethical, capable, and innovative professionals of tomorrow.

Partner with FLI to Empower Young Leaders

Are you a school, business, professional organisation, or mentor interested in supporting the next generation of leaders?

The Fidelis Leadership Institute welcomes partnerships that expand young people’s access to leadership development, career guidance, mentorship, and practical learning opportunities.

Get involved in shaping tomorrow’s leaders today.

• Explore the ASPIRE Programme.
• Partner with Fidelis Leadership Institute.
• Join the FLI membership community.

For partnership and programme enquiries, contact info@fidelis-institute.org.

Viva College – Fidelis Leadership Institute Careers Day 2026 – Download full report