The Power of Career Orientation for Liberia’s Young People: A Path Towards Social and Economic Emancipation

Emancipate the Young People’s Minds from Noisemaking to Critical Sensemaking Thinking:

By: Austin S Fallah-A True Son of National Consciousness of Planet Earth Soil:

In a nation like Liberia, where the scars of civil upheavals still loom over the collective consciousness, the potential of its young people holds the key to unlocking a future rife with possibility and progress.

Career orientation is pivotal in shaping this potential, steering young individuals away from idleness and unruly behaviors and toward meaningful contributions to society.

The wisdom of King Solomon resonates profoundly with Liberia’s reality when he notes in Proverbs 16:27-29, “An idle mind is the devil’s workshop.”

Today, far too many of Liberia’s young people find themselves in idleness, entangled in a web of distractions and noise that renders them susceptible to manipulation, chaos, and hooliganism.

Liberians must channel their energy towards career-oriented initiatives to foster their development into positive contributors to the nation’s social and economic dynamics.

To understand the urgency of this issue, the nation must confront the stark reality that disengaged young individuals are fertile ground for chaos, noisemaking, and hooliganism.

Throughout Liberia’s recent history, it has become painfully evident how young people’s idleness facilitated the encroachment of warmongers and other malicious influences.

These actors preyed upon the vulnerable, exploiting their ignorance and leading them into complex cycles of violence and disillusionment.

As a direct outcome, many of the nation’s young people are today stigmatized as “Zogos,” a term often used derogatorily to describe those caught in despair and delinquency, reflecting a larger societal refusal to engage positively.

To foster a new narrative, Liberians must actively engage young people in career-oriented programs that teach skills and impart the importance of personal agency and responsibility.

While establishing universities in every county is good, the government must not negate the fact that career counselling centers in districts and towns around the nation can also serve as a vital resource for informed, educated, and contributing young people for a better Liberia.

Such initiatives could guide multiple sectors, including technology, agriculture, and the arts.

By familiarizing young people with diverse career opportunities, Liberia can ignite their passions and inspire their ambition.

Moreover, technology presents a particularly promising avenue for career orientation.

In a global economy that has become increasingly digital, Liberia cannot afford to ignore the tech sector’s potential.

Young people, who are often more adept at navigating digital tools and platforms, should be encouraged to pursue technology-related careers.

This can lead to their own social and economic empowerment and significantly benefit the nation as it strives to reintegrate into a globalized economy after years of upheavals.

Consider the success stories of individuals who have risen out of adversity to become leaders in tech innovation, such as the late Stev Jobs, who was of Iranian heritage, and the world’s richest airbreathing living human being, Elon Musk, who is of African heredity.

With the right mentorship and resources, young people in Liberia can follow suit, developing solutions that address local challenges while contributing to the global digital landscape.

For instance, coding, app development, and digital marketing training programs can empower young individuals to create tech startups or join existing enterprises, fostering a sense of purpose and direction.

However, these career-oriented initiatives require more than just the establishment of programs; they necessitate a cultural shift.

Liberian society must begin to value career aspirations and technical skills as legitimate and honorable pursuits.

Unfortunately, certain attitudes may stigmatize individuals seeking non-traditional paths or practical skills, making them feel that only formal education or high-ranking positions are worthy of pursuit.

This stigma can be a deterrent, causing many to drift aimlessly rather than actively engage in personal development.

Government officials-legislators-executives-judges, county, district, town, village leaders, educators, and families must work together to instil a value system supporting and uplifting career-oriented aspirations to overcome this cultural challenge.

Sensemaking-national-patriotic leaders, not noisemakers-unschooled-being to school but learned nothing, can be role models, showcasing how varying career paths contribute meaningfully to society.

Schools should incorporate career development into their curriculums, emphasizing vocational training alongside academic education to help young people recognize the available avenues, as was done (hopefully is) at William V.S. Tubman High School in Sinkor, Monrovia, Booker T. Washington Institute (BWI) in Kakata, Margibi County, Liberia, etc.

When young individuals see their nation celebrate diverse career choices, they will feel emboldened to pursue their interests without fear of judgment.

In parallel, the role of government and organizations cannot be underestimated.

Governmental bodies can demonstrate their commitment to young people’s professional development by investing in career orientation programs and providing frameworks for internships and apprenticeships.

Collaborations with local businesses can provide hands-on training opportunities that bridge the gap between education and employment.

The public and private sectors must rally behind this cause, recognizing that a skilled workforce is essential for national recovery and growth.

Engaging young people in decision-making processes around national issues can further enhance their connections to their careers, communities, and the nation.

By involving them in discussions about economic respect for the rule of law, respect for parents and the elderly, and social policies, young people can learn essential skills in leadership, negotiation, and civic responsibility.

This level of engagement can help them see the direct impact of their professional development on the health and well-being of their nation.

Furthermore, Liberians must provide safe spaces for dialogue where young people can share their experiences and ideas.

Through workshops, forums, and mentorship programs, the nation can cultivate an atmosphere of innovation, encouraging grassroots solutions to the problems that plague our society.

Fostering a culture of collaboration can inspire young people to seek jobs and create jobs, reinventing the narrative around employment in Liberia.

Moreover, the importance of mental health must be a part of this discussion.

Many young people in Liberia struggle with the psychological repercussions of living in a post-conflict environment.

Addressing emotional well-being is paramount for anyone aiming to pursue a career, as unresolved trauma can cloud judgment and stifle ambition.

Seeking to incorporate mental health support within career orientation initiatives could ensure that young individuals are equipped with practical skills and the resilience to pursue their goals.

Career orientation illuminates the path toward social and economic emancipation for Liberia’s young people.

When the nation peels back the layers of frustration, idleness, and disillusionment, it can reveal individuals bursting with potential, waiting to be nurtured and guided.

By actively engaging them in career-oriented initiatives, Liberia can free its citizens from the distractions of chaos and redirect their energies into constructive outlets that uplift themselves and their various communities and the nation in general

Each young person in Liberia represents the seeds of hope and renewal.

Their transformation into career-oriented individuals capable of thoughtful contributions could lead to a chain reaction of social progress, economic growth, and transformative change.

Liberians must rise to the challenge.

The time has come for Liberians to foster an environment that champions career aspirations, challenges stifling norms, and provides all the necessary tools for our young people to thrive.

Through this commitment, Liberians can ensure a vibrant future for Liberia, where every young person is not just a bystander to change but a pivotal architect.

The task is daunting, yet the rewards are exceedingly high; the question is no longer whether the nation can equip young people with career orientation but how soon they can set this transformative process into motion.

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