For many candidates preparing for the Basic Education Certificate Examination (BECE), choosing a senior high school and identifying a future career path remain major challenges. Limited exposure to professionals, uncertainty around subject selection, and little awareness of emerging careers often leave students unprepared to make informed decisions at a critical stage of their education.
To address this gap, Spring‑UP Global Network engaged final‑year students of the Konongo Mines Basic Schools through its Career Conversations (PathFinders Programme). The one‑day outreach was designed to prepare BECE candidates for 21st‑century careers by connecting them with young professionals and university students in STEM and the Creative Arts, while providing mentorship, guidance, and practical support as learners prepared for their examinations.
Expanding Career Awareness at a Critical Stage
The engagement reached 137 students from Konongo Mines A, B, and C Basic Schools, focusing on learners transitioning to senior high school. Through interactive career conversations, volunteers introduced students to diverse career pathways, including science and technology, creative industries, entrepreneurship, and emerging digital careers.
Students were guided to understand how subject choices at the secondary level connect directly to specific career options. This helped demystify the decision‑making process many BECE candidates struggle with and empowered learners to plan more confidently for their academic futures.
As part of the sessions, students were also introduced to digital creation and responsible use of technology, learning how skills such as content development, design, and digital tools can serve as viable pathways for learning, innovation, and income generation in today’s economy.
Building on an Established Learning Hub
The outreach builds on Spring‑UP Global Network’s sustained engagement with the Konongo Mines Basic Schools following the establishment of a library at the school in May 2023. Since its commissioning, the organisation has continued to promote reading culture, mentorship, career awareness, and learner development.
The library serves as a safe and supportive learning space that complements classroom instruction and encourages learners to explore knowledge beyond textbooks.
Mentorship for Confidence and Exam Readiness
Beyond career exposure, the outreach placed strong emphasis on mentorship and emotional preparation for the BECE. Volunteers led motivational sessions focused on managing anxiety, strengthening self‑belief, and helping learners approach the examinations with confidence.
Encouraging confidence and self‑belief, the lead volunteer for the outreach, Mr Godwin Adablah, a STEM advocate with an MPhil in Mechanical Engineering (Applied Mechanics), urged students to remain calm and trust in their preparation, reminding them that their learning journey had equipped them for the task ahead.
Ms Patience Quashigah, a second‑year MPhil Mathematical and Computational Physics student at KNUST, and a volunteer, also shared personal experiences and practical advice, emphasising the long‑term impact of discipline and focus.
The outreach was coordinated by George Owusu Ansah Asamoah, a Level 400 Doctor of Pharmacy student at KNUST and a volunteer with Spring‑UP Global Network.
Volunteers also engaged learners through small‑group and one‑on‑one conversations, creating safe spaces for students to ask questions and receive personalised guidance.
Supporting Learners with Essential Items
To further support students’ exam readiness, math sets and pens were donated to aid academic preparation. The team also donated sanitary pads to the girls, recognising the practical challenges some may face during the examination period and ensuring that no learner is disadvantaged due to a lack of basic necessities.
Positive Impact and Learner Reflections
Students responded positively to the engagement, with many expressing increased clarity and confidence. One student shared, “I didn’t know there were so many career options. Now I understand what I need to choose in SHS.” Another noted that the mentorship sessions reduced exam anxiety and strengthened self‑belief.
About Career Conversations (PathFinders Programme)
Career Conversations is a youth‑led mentorship and career readiness initiative under Spring‑UP Global Network, designed to bridge the gap between schooling and employability, particularly for girls and learners with disabilities. The programme aligns with SDGs 4, 8, and 10, as well as Ghana Education Strategic Plan Priorities 1 and 3.
The outreach was attended by the School Improvement Support Officer (SISO), head teachers, and staff of the Konongo Mines Basic Schools and was funded by the Spring‑UP alumni network.
