Delivering the keynote speech at the HR Focus Career Clinic 2023, broadcast journalist and the General Manager of Citi FM, Bernard Avle, advised attendees to put themselves in positions that would force them to develop themselves for success in their careers. Using his career journey as an example, he emphasized the importance of developing marketable skills in today’s work climate.
The event was held on September 9, 2023, at the LOC Events Centre in Adabakra, under the theme “From Crisis to Success: Building Career Resilience.”
Some of the invited speakers included: Bernard Avle, George Quaye (representing Dr. Daniel McKorley of McDan Shipping), Richard Sena Quarshie of Media General Digital, Chichi Yakubu of Nyonyo Essentials, Shirley Tony Kum of Vivo Energy Ghana, Hope Cornel Yibor of NutriFoods Ghana Ltd., and Barry Neequaye of Oasis Studios.
In his welcome address, Mr. James Laar, the Managing Director of L’AINE HR, said, “We recognize the challenges that young entrepreneurs and job seekers face, especially during these unprecedented times. Therefore, our purpose today is not just to provide answers, but to instil in people the key strategies and resilience they need to turn challenges into opportunities.”
Delivering the second keynote address on behalf of Dr. Daniel McKorley, CEO of McDan Group of Companies, George Quaye encouraged attendees to network and make themselves available for opportunities, whether paid or unpaid.
Sponsored by Tullow Oil, Xjobs, and L’AÎNÉ HR, the event attracted about 200 students and job seekers. It offered speed interviews, CV reviews, networking opportunities, mentoring sessions, career guidance sessions, and more.
PANEL DISCUSSIONS
During the panel discussion on “Turning Career Setbacks into Comebacks: Strategies for Building Resilience in the Face of Adversity,” Mr. Hope Yibor said, “It is very important to have a network when you are searching for a job. You should also volunteer. Volunteering can take you further up the corporate ladder than you might think.”
Naana Obeng Drah, Senior HR Advisor at Tullow Oil PLC, said on the same topic, “Once you decide to pursue your ambition, you must be prepared and always keep up with the times. In the past, one’s knowledge of Microsoft Office was a major factor in getting into the corporate world. Now, it is determined by one’s knowledge of data insights and AI. Therefore, it is important to stay up-to-date.”
Chichi Yakubu and Barry Neequaye also shared their entrepreneurial journeys with attendees during the Start Up Hub session. This session was dedicated to providing participants with comprehensive insights into the entrepreneurial space. During the session, Chichi stressed the importance of bookkeeping and accounting in starting and running a business. She said, “Before you start anything, money is important. So, you either need to learn how to manage your books or hire someone to do it for you.”
Barry also urged aspiring entrepreneurs to always do the right thing, especially when it comes to paying their taxes. He said, “At Oasis Studios, we are intentional about complying with tax laws and legal requirements. We even use the licensed versions of the software we use. As an entrepreneur, you need to decide from the start that you want to do things right.”
Mentorship Sessions & CV Reviews
Shirley Tony Kum, Richard Sena Quarshie, and Victoria Kissiedu, HR Advisor at Tullow Oil, also motivated and encouraged participants to achieve their career goals during the mentorship sessions.
Participants had the opportunity to engage in one-on-one career guidance sessions with resource persons and have their CVs reviewed by top HR practitioners in the country.
The career clinic is an annual interactive event that is curated for job seekers and students to equip them with the necessary skills they need to advance in their chosen career paths. Other companies represented at the event included Nutri Foods, Vivo Energy, McDan Shipping Company, Citi FM, MG Digital, Oasis Studios, Nyonyo Essentials, and Twellium Industrial Company.
