Soji-Omoniwa urges UNILORIN students to embrace strategic career planning
By Mustafa Abubakar, Muizdeen Adewole and Maryam Abdullahi
The Faculty of Life Sciences Student Career Advisor, Dr Omolola Soji-Omoniwa, has urged students of the University of Ilorin to adopt a strategic career planning through self-assessment, skill development, and goal setting as essential steps towards workplace readiness.
Dr Soji-Omoniwa gave this advice last Tuesday (April 14, 2026) during the Faculty Students’ Training Workshop, titled “The Career Launchpad: Strategic Planning for Real-World Success,” organised by the Career Services Unit (CSU) in collaboration with the Faculty.
The Career Advisor emphasised the need for students to align their strengths, weaknesses, and interests with industry demands, while developing both technical and transferable skills.
She also described the SMART framework as a practical tool for setting measurable and achievable career goals.
The don further highlighted the importance of personal branding, networking, and resilience in today’s competitive job market, advising students to build strong professional identities, maintain visibility, and cultivate meaningful professional relationships.
She, therefore, encouraged participants to develop a 12-month career roadmap, stressing that consistent execution is key to long-term success.
Earlier, the Dean of the Faculty, Prof. Rotimi Olusanya Arise, charged students to take ownership of their professional journeys.
He urged them to ask critical questions, demonstrate boldness, and intentionally cultivate networks, stressing that meaningful relationships and strategic connections are essential for career growth.
Also speaking, the Career Advisor for the Department of Microbiology, Dr Bashirat Abdulkareem Sa’ad, spoke on transforming early career opportunities into lasting achievements.
She guided students on setting clear goals, leveraging undergraduate experiences, and positioning themselves for excellence in science-related fields.
Dr Sa’ad also encouraged the adoption of a growth mindset over a fixed mindset, noting that individuals who believe in their capacity to improve tend to perform better. She advised students to replace self-doubt with reflective questions on how to improve performance.
She highlighted practical habits that distinguish high-performing students, including effective time management, active studying, regular self-evaluation, and maintaining the right peer network.
She urged participants to prioritise discipline over motivation and consistency over intensity, while embracing responsibility, resilience, and curiosity.
In her presentation, Dr Fatima A. Mohammed explained that every student begins from a modest starting point, which does not determine their future.
She explained that “starting strong” involves cultivating positive habits early, committing to personal development, and recognising the value of consistent effort over time.
She identified essential skills for freshers, including communication, digital literacy, teamwork, adaptability, and time management, while cautioning against procrastination, fear of participation, and neglect of academic responsibilities.
She encouraged students to remain focused, proactive, and consistent in their academic and personal development.
Also speaking, the Career Advisor for Optometry and Vision Science, Dr Habibah Eroje Agbabiaka, highlighted the importance of adaptability in today’s dynamic career environment.
She stressed the need for resilience, continuous learning, and the development of relevant skills in response to rapidly evolving industries.
Dr Agbabiaka noted that career success increasingly depends on adaptability rather than rigid planning. She encouraged students to remain curious, embrace change, and view competition as a benchmark for growth rather than a threat.
In attendance were the Head of the Department of Biochemistry, Prof. Fauziyat Adenike Sulaiman; Dr Oyebola F. Etudaiye Muhtar, Chairperson, Training Committee, Career Services Unit; Prof. Oluyinka A. Iyiola; Prof. Adedoyin Igunnu; and Dr Olalere Shittu; among others.
