The University of Mines and Technology (UMaT), under the auspices of its Counseling and Students Support Unit, in collaboration with Total Energies Ghana PLC organised a Career Day as part of its 2025 Innovation and Career Fair.
The event, which brought together students, faculty, and industry professionals, featured keynote speeches, a panel discussion, and a mock interview session; all geared toward equipping students with the practical skills and mindset required to thrive in today’s competitive job market.
Prior to the interview session, some students submitted their CVs aftet which sholisted candidates were selected
Dr. Theophilus Andoh Robertson, Head of the Counseling and Students Support Unit, emphasized that the Career Day was designed to bridge the gap between academic learning and the real-world expectations of industry by fostering dialogue between students and professionals.
The panel discussions and mock interviews provided a platform to demonstrate how students should present themselves during interviews and respond confidently and effectively to questions.
A key message from Dr. Robertson was the importance of entrepreneurship. In a world where jobs are increasingly scarce, he encouraged students to shift from a “job-seeking” to a “job-creating” mentality.
He applauded the university’s commitment to this vision, exemplified in the entrepreneurship course offered to students. “We want our students to collaborate, start their own businesses, and even become employers themselves,” he stated.
However, he warned that without discipline, such ventures could easily collapse, highlighting the need for self-control and sound business ethics.
Prof. Bernard Kumi-Boateng a Senior Lecturer at the Geomatic Engineering Department in an interview, focusing on the importance of CV preparation and professional presentation.
Reflecting on the CVs submitted during the mock interview, he noted, “Many of the students had done their research and were well-prepared, but issues like poor formatting and spelling errors—likely influenced by social media habits—undermined their efforts.”
He urged students to take formatting seriously and continually update their skills to match industry needs. “Do a skill gap analysis,” he advised, “look at what companies want and improve yourself accordingly.”
Prof. Kumi-Boateng also praised UMaT for equipping its students with strong technical skills, including document formatting and basic programming.
He encouraged students to actively search for job advertisements to understand current trends and tailor their skills accordingly. “When I was a student here in 2000, we didn’t have these opportunities. Students today are lucky to witness live interviews and interact with top employers.”
Mr. Daniel Danquah, Head of Recruitment, Training, and Development at Total Energies Ghana PLC sponsor of the Career, spoke on the value of innovation in today’s global workforce. “We live in a world where innovation is not optional—it’s necessary,” he stated, stressing the need for solutions that can reduce or eliminate crises such as the global energy challenge.
He commended UMaT students as some of the best in the market, citing Total Energies’ continued partnership with the university over the past six years as a testament to their quality.
Mr. Danquah also shared insights from the mock interview session, noting a few areas for improvement. “Some students lacked confidence at the beginning, but they warmed up with time,” he said.
He pointed out the importance of avoiding outdated practices like listing unnecessary personal details on CVs and encouraged students to highlight additional skills they’ve acquired outside of the classroom. “Some students have picked up impressive skills on their own—that’s a big plus. They just need to present it properly.”
The Career Day which was uner the theme; Turning ideas into reality to enhance graduate employment was more than just a ceremonial gathering; it was a transformative experience that left students better informed, inspired, and equipped to step into the future. .
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