By Elizabeth Wanjiku

On May 13, the university in partnership with Standard Chartered Bank and Light for the World, Sight Savers, hosted a youth mentorship forum themed 'Thriving in a Dynamic Job Market: How Gen Z Can Stay Future-Ready'. The session was centered on inclusion, career readiness, and future-focused leadership. Bringing together 100 current beneficiaries and alumni of the bank’s Futuremakers program, the forum sought to help the participants become workplace ready by addressing challenges faced by young people entering the workforce and starting a career journey, especially young people with disabilities.

These 100 mentees are part of the Ready for Inclusive Sustainable Employment (RISE) program, which supports differently-abled youth by building their employability skills and helping them join the workforce. The forum therefore aimed at amplifying the voices of these youth with disabilities, providing them with a platform for dialogue, mentorship, and inspiration.

The event was graced by Mr. Kariuki Ngari, CEO of Standard Chartered Bank Kenya, who highlighted the importance of creating authentic, inclusive spaces. “True inclusion means allowing people to show up as they are. We must design environments where you don’t have to fit in but rather, you get to influence and lead,” he stated. Ms. Nivedita Sharma, the Bank’s Independent Non-Executive Director was also in attendance and encouraged students to pursue opportunities boldly asking them not to wait for the perfect moment as no one meets all the job requirements. She urged them to show up, apply, and speak up, reminding them that there is something unique meant for each of them out there.

The two also shared their personal and professional insights on leadership, inclusion, and thriving in a dynamic job market. They reflected on how the workplace is evolving citing that today’s employers increasingly value purpose, adaptability, and integrity over flashy perks. Their presence underscored the Bank’s ongoing commitment to building an inclusive economy and supporting youth empowerment through initiatives like Futuremakers.

The event also featured student panel discussion, where young people shared firsthand experiences of navigating education and the job market while living with disabilities. Elsie, an Egerton University graduate and a direct beneficiary of the Futuremakers program, shared how the initiative transformed her confidence and opened new professional doors. “Through this program, I gained the confidence to apply for jobs. I’m now employed and recently had the chance to moderate a high-level policy forum. It has changed how I see myself and how I show up in professional spaces,” she said. Elsie also spoke about the challenges of living with a non-apparent disability and how stigma often overshadows her qualifications: “Many employers don’t expect much from persons with disabilities. The program helped me realize that I deserve to take up space and lead,” she concluded.

Lameck, a cybersecurity professional with low vision, echoed these sentiments emphasizing the importance of resilience, confidence, and project-based learning. He asked the attendees to be clear on what makes them standout. He shared his own experience on how he chose to pursue physics and computer science despite the discouraging voices and how his university project opened doors for him. Lameck further called for long-term internship models that transition into employment, rather than ending just as individuals begin to add value. “Let’s not train people only to release them before they can make a real impact,” he urged.

The event culminated in small group mentorship sessions, where board members and senior staff of Standard Chartered Bank alongside other professional mentors engaged students in focused discussions on career development, networking, and overcoming barriers. The session allowed students to ask questions in a more relaxed, personal setting and receive tailored advice from people working across sectors.

As the day ended, one thing was for sure, this wasn’t just about employability; it’s about preparing the students to thrive in systems, lead with empathy, and grow with purpose. The forum reaffirmed the power of partnership in building inclusive societies.