There's truly nothing more inspiring than a powerful networking experience and witnessing your own community pay it forward. Imagine the excitement when alumni, who once walked the halls of St Jude's, returned as volunteer mentors for Alumni Career Week at Smith Campus.
Over five structured days, students learned directly from alumni across diverse career fields. They walked away with life-changing tips, insights and lessons that we can all learn from and apply in our own journeys.
Stay curious
The week kicked off with a session on IT, AI and data science, where alumni highlighted the power of curiosity in a fast-changing world. “I wasn’t the smartest in my class,” Zuberi class of 17‘ admitted, “but I was hungry to learn and that made all the difference.”
Now a freelance Software engineer, he urged students to try new things. When he first joined African Leadership University in Rwanda, he felt out of place, but he pushed himself to adapt, ask questions, and stay engaged. That openness helped him build strong networks connections that have grown into long-term friendships and continue to support his his career today.”
All alumni facilitators in that sector, reminded students that technology evolves daily, and therefore they need to keep seeking online short-term courses to sharpen and upgrade their skills, reminding students that continuous learning is key to staying relevant in the tech industry.
Empathy and service set you apart
In the health and medicine session, alumni emphasised that success in healthcare goes beyond academic excellence or making lots of money. It is rooted in compassion. They discussed how the industry is rapidly evolving and offers far more than traditional roles, such as those of doctors and nurses. The industry spans public health, medical technology, pharmaceuticals, digital health, telemedicine and health-focused entrepreneurship, all driven by innovation and new technologies. For youth today, this means opportunities are beyond patient care.
Think like innovators, not just job seekers
When it came to engineering, the focus shifted to creativity and real-world problem-solving. Alumni challenged students to view engineering as more than equations, it's about finding solutions that make life better. They encouraged curiosity-driven thinking and innovation, showing that these skills open doors in any career path. Eliamani class of 21‘ summed it up perfectly: "Your degree is just your foundation. The real learning happens when you start applying it."
“I had a degree in Engineering, but instead of waiting for employment, I chose to create something of my own. I focused on what I was good at studying healthy hair growth, learning the right ingredients, and taking courses to strengthen my knowledge. Today, I’ve developed my own hair product called Luxy Naturals Hair Oil.” Says Mwanaidi class of 21‘
Starting from scratch
Midweek’s Entrepreneurship session brought forward powerful, grounded stories of humble beginnings and a reminder that success does not always follow a straight line from a bachelor’s degree. Boniphace class of 16‘ now the owner of a thriving bar and lounge, emphasized the value of embracing every opportunity while at St Jude’s. He explained that participation in activities such as music, ngoma, public speaking, and other co-curricular experiences builds confidence, interpersonal skills, and adaptability core competencies that later translate into entrepreneurial success.
He highlighted that these seemingly simple school experiences can open unexpected doors, shape leadership abilities, and create networks that become invaluable in business.
Thriving outside your field of study
The week wrapped up with sessions on business, law and education, fields that shape communities. Francisco class of 17‘ originally a PCB (Physics, Chemistry, Biology) student, exemplifies the power of curiosity and continuous learning. After completing his secondary studies, he pursued a degree in Business and joined the Tanzania Revenue Authority. Not content to rely solely on his initial academic background, he proactively explored auditing acquiring specialized knowledge to enhance his professional expertise and excel in his field.
Alumni emphasised that flexibility, networking and continuous learning can lead to success even outside one's original field. In today's competitive labour market, adaptability isessential.
Inspired by these stories? Take the next step in your journey and connect with us at alumni@schoolofstjude.co.tz
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