Academic qualifications may open doors to career opportunities, but character, professional relationships, and sound judgment determine how individuals navigate and sustain success in the workplace. This was the central message delivered to students at Kabarak University's School of Business and Economics during a Student Career and Professional Engagement Session held on 10 November 2026.

The session featured Mr Boniface Mutua, a distinguished alumnus of Kabarak University School of Business and Economics and Manager, Planning and Strategy at Kenya Power and Lighting Company (KPLC) Pension Fund. Speaking under the theme “From Classroom to Real Economy: How Economic Judgment Gets Built,” he drew from his professional experiences to challenge students to prepare for the realities of the working world beyond their academic qualifications.

Mr Mutua encouraged students to embrace opportunities that challenge their comfort zones. Reflecting on his transfer to Wajir, which he initially received with uncertainty, he explained how unfamiliar environments and difficult assignments can provide valuable opportunities for professional and personal growth. He urged students to prioritise opportunities for learning, reminding them: “Go where the learning is, not where it's comfortable.”

The engagement offered students an opportunity to reflect on the transition from university to the workplace and the broader responsibilities that come with professional life. It reinforced the understanding that preparing for a career involves more than acquiring academic knowledge; it requires developing the judgment to make sound decisions, the integrity to uphold ethical standards, and the ability to build meaningful relationships.

Through engagements of this nature, Kabarak University's School of Business and Economics continues to provide opportunities for students to connect academic learning with professional experiences and practical perspectives from industry. By bringing accomplished professionals and alumni into conversation with students, the School helps broaden their understanding of the expectations, challenges and opportunities that await them beyond university.

The message from Mr Mutua was clear: education may open the first door, but character, relationships, sound judgment and a commitment to lifelong learning are what sustain professional success.