ACTUARIAL SCIENTIST/ACTUARY

How to become an Actuarial Scientist in Kenya

To be an Actuarial Scientist you need to register for a four year degree course in Bachelor of Actuarial Science or Bachelor of Science (Actuarial Science). You will need a KCSE mean grade C+ and be very good in math and analytical skills.

Actuaries deal with risk. They decide how likely things such as death, sickness, injury, disability, and loss of property are to occur, as well as the costs of these things. Actuaries also decide how much money it will take in order to get a certain amount of retirement income. They help design insurance policies and pension plans and try to make sure that they are sound. Actuaries may need to explain their findings to company executives, government officials, and the public. They may also testify in court as an expert.

Most actuaries work for insurance companies. Some work in life and health insurance. Others work in property and casualty insurance. Actuaries make tables that show how likely it is that a claim will be made by a customer. They use these tables to decide how much the company will have to pay in claims. They make sure that the company charges enough to pay these claims. This amount must be enough for the company to make a profit. It must also be in line with what other insurance companies are charging.

Employers include Insurance companies, financial institutions, pension funds, banks risk department, consulting firms

ACCOUNTANT

How to become an Accountant in Kenya
Accountants and auditors keep track of a company's money. The company's managers and people outside the company read their reports. Managers look at the accountants' reports to see how well their companies are doing. Governments use the reports to tell how much tax a company should pay. Some people read them to decide if they want to do business with the company. Others use them to decide if they want to lend money to the company or not.
To be an accountant in Kenya you nee to register for degree in Bachelor of Science (Accountancy) or Bachelor of Commerce (Accounting option) which require a minimum KCSE grade C+. If you do not qualify for the degree, you can register CPA (Certified Public Accountant) course which requires you to pass all sections and it is examined by KASNEB. People who want to be accountants should be good at math, and have good analytical skills. They also should be able to write well, so that they can tell others about their findings.
There are four kinds of accountants.

• Public accountants work for public accounting companies. They do accounting, auditing, tax, and consulting work. Some have their own businesses. They do many different kinds of accounting for people outside the company.
• Management accountants keep track of the money spent and made by the companies for which they work.
• Internal auditors make sure that a company's accounting records are right. They check the records to see that no one in the company is stealing. They also check to see that no one in the company is wasting the company's money.
• Government accountants and auditors make sure that government accounting records are right. They also check the records of people doing business with the government.
  

Employers are many since every business, institution and organization needs an accountant.

PHARMACIST

How to become a Pharmacist in Kenya

To be a pharmacist in Kenya you have to study Bachelor of Pharmacy degree. It is a 5yr course. Studying pharmacy at university will qualify you to work right at the heart of human healthcare, taking on roles relating to the design and development of new treatments, prescription and care management, and generally advising patients on the options available for different conditions. It is a very popular and competitive course in Kenya. To be admitted by JAB, you need an overall grade A or A- in KCSE. You will also need good grades in Math/ Physics, Biology, Chemistry, English/Kiswahili. The weighted cluster points for the course are 47 points.

It is offered in KU, UON and MKU. The fee for the regular students is 27,000-55,000 while the parallel students pay about 400,000 per academic year.

Graduates can work in hospitals, pharmaceutical companies, research institutions, clinical trials of drugs.

Diploma Courses

You can do a Diploma in pharmacy or diploma in pharmaceutical technology if you have mean grade C in KCSE with C in biology, chemistry, eng/kisw, and math/physics. It takes duration of 3yrs. It is offered in any medical training institution in Kenya. Currently there are 24 approved institutions in the country licensed to offer diploma in pharmaceutical technology half of which are privately owned.

The new pharmacy curriculum will allow credit waivers for diploma holders who want to do a degree in pharmacy. Currently diploma holders have to go through the entire degree course work of 5yrs without considering their initial training and experience. The duration will reduce to about 2yrs if this new curriculum is implemented.

TEACHER

How to become a Teacher in Kenya

There has been significant expansion of primary & secondary education. This has led to expansion in training of teachers. This is so in Primary education where teachers training colleges have grown from 32 (15yrs) ago to 106 currently with an enrollment of more than 50,000 trainees. 21 teachers training colleges are public while the rest are private. Two public diploma colleges Kagumo & Kababii are among few who offer diploma. All public university & constituent colleges offer teacher training at degree level to both regular & self sponsored students. Two private institutions Mt. Kenya University & Catholic University offer elaborate teacher training programmes.

1. Early childhood education teacher

There has been significant expansion of teacher training in Early Childhood Development Education (ECDE) also called pre-school especially in public colleges. For a certificate in ECDE you need to score minimum D+ for the 2yr certificate course. With C (plain) & above you can enroll for a 3 yr diploma course in ECDE. They are examined by KNEC where ECDE teachers get ECDE certificate or diploma.

2. Primary education teacher

The minimum requirement for admission to primary teacher training public college for the 2 yr P1 course is C (plain). Admission in public institutions is done on quota basis with each district being allocated slots to the colleges. The process of admission starts in March when they advertise in press & education offices in the country. Selection is done in July & those admitted join in September. It costs about 80,000 in public colleges for the 2 yrs while in private colleges it costs between 100,000-160,000. Most private colleges admit in January, May and September.

Students are examined by KNEC & the P1 teachers are awarded primary teacher Ed. (PTE) certificate

Salary at entry level is 19,323 and they join at Job Group H. The highest in that group earn 24,662.

3. Secondary education teacher

Degree

To be a secondary school teacher you enroll for Bachelor of Education (Arts/Sciences) degree where you take a combination of 2 teaching subjects. It is a 4yr course and before graduation you go for teaching practice for 1 term mainly during the second term. You can teach in Arts or science depending on your interests. Need a minimum mean grade C+ with C+ in your subjects of choice.

Diploma

To enroll for a 3 year diploma course you need to have mean grade C+ with at least C+ in your chosen 2 teaching subjects, with C(plain) in Eng., C (plain) in Math for science applicants and D+ in Math for non-science applicants. The same applies for the 4 year degree course in universities. All graduates have equal access to employment opportunities. Employers include schools or the ministry of education. Currently TSC absorbs about 40,000 graduates every year in both public & private school.

Salaries: Lowest paid (Entry level Diploma) earns 24, 662 and the highest paid will earn in that group earns 35,910.

Entry level salary for Degree graduate 31,020 and the highest in that group earns 41,590

AIR HOSTESS

How to become an Air Hostess in Kenya

They are also called Flight Attendants, Cabin crew or stewards.

They are primarily focused on passenger safety on the aircraft. They are responsible for advising the passengers on conduct on the aircraft and enforcing regulations to maintain passenger and aircraft safety. This course in air hostess allows you to pursue a career not only in the aviation industry but also in other service industries such as hotels.

For a Diploma in Air Hostess and Cabin Crew Duties you require KSCE Mean Grade C Minus

They are most often trained by the air lines or the aviation colleges for 4 weeks – 6 months.

Multi lingual flight attendants are in demand because of international travelers. They look at weight and height of 160-185cm (5.3 to 6.1feet). The weight must be proportional to the height.

Starting salary is about Ksh25,000 – 45,000 depending on the airlines. Experienced ones at Kenya Airways earn between 100,000 -150,000 and they also get allowances. To be trained by Kenya Airways, you pay a fee of 300,000 shillings. To increase your chances of admission, you should have other skills like fluency in foreign languages, Red Cross First Aid and CPR training, Customer service experience, excellent communication and interpersonal skills.

PILOT

How to become a Pilot in Kenya

It is a rewarding course despite the high fees. Pilots earn between ksh 120,000 and ksh 500,000 a month depending on experience. The main challenge for those who want to study piloting is high fees because of high cost of fuel and little public and private investment. Individual airlines & civil aviation association are providing most aviation training.

To qualify, you need a Mean grade of C+ with pass in Mathematics, English, Geography and any science subject or a degree and above. For those eyeing Kenya Airways then they school have a mean grade of B+ and above. The course consists of theory, which takes 2-3 months & practical (11_/2 yrs)

The first step into the world of piloting course is good grades in Math, Physics, Geography and English/Kiswahili (Geography not a must). Then visit an Aviation Doctor authorized by KCAA (Kenya Civil Aviation Authority) for medical checkup, you need to be ‘Fit for Flying’.
Medical Fee approx. Ksh 12,000

With the Class 2 Medical Certificate you need a Student Pilot License (SPL) obtained from KCAA. It is the one to prove you can now study Piloting.
Requirements for SPL include:

• Being at least 17yrs of age
• Able to write, speak and understand English
• Be in possession of a class 2 Medical Certificate,
• Supply 2 passport size photos and
• Pay KCAA fees of Ksh 1,000

After that you are now ready to enroll in any Flying School. The first License you do is called the PPL (Private Pilot License). The purpose is to fly in command of an aircraft with passengers however not for compensation or hire. The Requirements for PPL include:

• Pass knowledge test for Ground School
• Complete 30hrs of dual flight time,10hrs solo flight, in total 40hrs
• Obtain Radio License
• Pass flight test after receiving adequate training for at least 40hrs

The cost of doing a PPL is as follows: Ground school: Ksh40,000 Examiners fees: Ksh15,000 Navigation fees: Ksh10,000 Stationary/Equipment: Ksh50,000 Flying cost 40hrs: Ksh600,000 Headsets: Ksh45,000 TOTAL Ksh 760,000
PPL can take a maximum of 6 months.

Afterwards you move to the next step which is CPL (Commercial Pilot License). Now with this license you get to earn a big salary and fly passengers. It can take up to one year in training.
Requirements for CPL include:

• Be at least 18 yrs of age
• Hold a valid PPL
• Class 1 Medical Certificate
• Pass knowledge test for Ground School
• Pass flight test after receiving adequate training for at least 150hrs

Cost of doing a CPL is as follows: Ground school: Ksh60,000 Examiners fees: Ksh30,000 Navigation fees: Ksh110,000 Flying cost 110hrs: Ksh1,650,000 TOTAL Ksh 1,850,000

Reputable institutions offering aviation include Kenya Airways, East Africa School of flying,

Skyline flights, Nairobi flight training, Air travel & related studies centre, CMC flying school, Nairobi Aviation College and Eldoret Aviation

You can do your pilot training locally or internationally depending on your finances. For those with insufficient funds you can train locally and for those with sufficient funds you can train abroad and it quicker. Also when going to train abroad ensure an audit is done on the flying school of the accreditation, fleet, stability, administration and the capability in terms of both ground & flight instructors experiencing in pilot training. Some consultants have collaboration with most of the flying schools in South Africa and United States of America and can arrange for better payment terms per stage.

ARCHITECT

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How to become an Architect in Kenya

Architects are involved in planning, design and oversight of the construction of a building to completion. This is one of the most lucrative professions, a field that is barely serviced. Rarely would you hear of an unemployed graduate architect and their entry salaries mostly match those of their seniors in most other professions. Opportunities to venture into personal business either as an individual or corporate entity are vast and come early in one’s career.

To be an Architect one must undergo through a degree of Bachelor of Architecture available at the University of Nairobi or Jomo Kenyatta University of Agriculture and Technology. To qualify, one must obtain an overall mean grade C+ in KCSE with at least a C+ in Math, Physics and any Group 3 subject (Geography, History or CRE) 

Thereafter, work under a registered architect for 18 months and sit for a professional exam administered by the Board of Registration for Architects and Quantity Surveyors. Passing the exam entitles one to a practice certificate and a registration number. The board also regulates the practice by disciplining errant professionals.

One must have good communication skills so as to communicate effectively with clients, engineers and quantity surveyors. You also need proficiency with various software programs such as (a) ArchiCAD, the main design program used by architects. (b) Atlantis - the program which renders a 3D representation of your building. (c) Any other graphics design software which may come in handy (e.g. adobe Photoshop, illustrator) since having a nice presentation for your building plan is very important. You will also need a creative mind and Basic architectural engineering knowledge - so that you don't design structurally impossible buildings, or buildings with poor lighting, ventilation or plumbing.

Can work in

• Public institutions- e.g. municipalities
• Private firms
• Consultants, lecturers, partnership with others
   
  
  

  
  

   

LAWYER

How to become a Lawyer in Kenya

To be a lawyer, you need to have good analytical skills, smart and be sharp in articulating issues. First you will undergo training for four years at the University where you undertake Bachelor of Law. After the University, you will be required to undertake pupilage in a law firm (mostly) for 1 year. Those who go to the Kenya School of Law do so for 9 months and spend the rest of the time for 3 months. The young lawyer then waits for approximately another year to be admitted to the Bar. The most disillusioning period for a lawyer is that of post pupilage period.
No firm is obliged to keep you. You are not a lawyer, you are not an advocate. To represent someone in court before you become an advocate. Can opt to go to Kenyan school of law for 2 yrs (diploma) and become an advocate.

You can also specialize in public law, private law, commercial law, family law, constitutional law, human right law.

What they do

• A lawyer also known as Attorney, Counselor, Solicitor or advocate- is an individual licensed by state to engage or practice law or advice clients on legal matters.
• Lawyers act as both advocates and advisors on behalf of their clients.
• As advocates- they rep. plaintiff or defendant through oral or written documents in court.
• As advisors- they counsel clients on how the facts of their particular case apply to the law.

a) Attorney

Handle variety of affairs for individual companies or association.

They are the people with whom you make 1^st contact when you seek legal advice.

b) Advocate

Are experts in art of presenting and arguing cases in court- Give legal advice and help with drafting legal documents.

c) Magistrates- found in district courts preside in criminal, civil and family matters.

d) Public prosecutor- Employed by ministry of justice on behalf of state in criminal cases of magistrates courts.

e) Legal advisor

Describes lawyers employed by big companies and other organizations to provide legal advice and services to their employees

f ) Registrar of high court

Their work is administrative. Ensure that everything runs smoothly.

Subjects requirements include Mean grade C+ in KCSE with B in English/Kiswahili.

Institution offering the course include UON, Moi, KU, CUEA,

NURSE

How to become a nurse in Kenya

To be a nurse, you need the following

Degree

For the degree, you will register for Bachelor of Science (Nursing) course whose qualifications are Mean grade C+ in KCSE and at least C+ in Math/Physics, Chemistry, Biology, English/Kiswahili

It takes takes 4yrs. It is offered in UON, KU, GLUKS, JKUAT, MOI, MKU among others

Diploma in community health nursing

Entry Requirements:
KCSE aggregate C plain with
• C in English or Kiswahili and Biology or Biological Sciences.
• C- in any one of the following: Physics, Physical Science, Chemistry, Mathematics
Offered at any medical training colleges and also universities

Duration 3 ½ yrs

Certificate in Community health nursing

Entry Requirements:
KCSE minimum aggregate C- with
• C- in English or Kiswahili and Biology or Biological Sciences
• D+ in any one of the following: - Physical Science, Physics, Mathematics, Chemistry

Duration 2 ½ years

Salaries

In government hospitals, the starting salary for diploma holders ranges between 24,662 - 29,918 while for degree holders the starting salary is 31,020. The starting salaries can range from 28,000 to 35,000 in big private hospitals.

CLINICAL OFFICER

How to become a Clinical Officer in Kenya

If you do not qualify for the degree program in Bachelor of medicine and Surgery and you want to assist people just like a doctor, you can register for a Diploma in Clinical Medicine and you become a Clinical Officer. These are very important personnel because they assist the doctors in hospitals. We have very few doctors in Kenya and they are the ones who fill the gap. You are most likely going to be attended by a clinical officer when you go to an out-patient clinic in government hospitals.

Their training is almost the same as that of a doctor except in the anatomy where doctors are trained using a human cadaver while clinical officers are trained using animals closely related to humans such as primates (Chimps). They treat patients mainly in outpatient clinics and can perform minor surgeries.

To qualify for the diploma, you need a Mean grade C in KCSE with a C in Biology, Chem., Eng/Kisw and C- in Math/Phy. It takes duration of 3yrs in medical training colleges.

Mt. Kenya University offers both degree & diploma in clinical medicine and surgery

Salaries: In the government hospitals, they join at Job group H with an entry salary of 19,323 and they highest paid in that group earns 24,662.

Both doctors and clinical officers can work in public and private hospitals, community health organization, NGOs, medical insurance companies, drug companies etc.

They diagnose and treat people. They are also involved in research on new medicine and treatment.

DOCTOR

What does it take to be a doctor in Kenya?

To be a doctor, you need good grades in KCSE so that you can be admitted to the University to study Bachelor of Medicine and Surgery(MBCHB) course. It is the most popular course among the top KCSE performers in Kenya. It is a 6yr course offered at University of Nairobi (UON), Kenyatta University, Moi and Maseno. Its very competitive and you need perfect scores to be admitted in a regular program.

To be admitted for the regular program, you need to score grade A in KCSE with grade A in Chem., Biology, English/Kiswahili, & Math/Physics.

For parallel programs, you need a minimum mean grade of C+ with a minimum C+ in the cluster subjects. You become a General practitioner (GP).

How the medical professional organized

a) Intern doctors (intern medical officers)

• Are doctor who have just graduated from universities with their 1^st degree and are doing their interaction and practicing under supervision of a consultant.
• Are interns for 1yr in approved hospital
• Once completed, they are licensed to practice.

b) Medical officer (senior house officers)

• Are doctors who have completed internship and are licensed but have not specialized in any field
• Can treat diseases and perform simple surgeries e.g caesarians.

c) Registrars (senior house officers/ Residents

• Are doctors in specialist training in their area of interest
• They graduate with masters which takes not less than 4yrs

d) Consultants (specialists)

• Have completed specialist training. They include surgeons, physicians, pediatricians, obstetricians, radiologists, pathologists, neurosurgeons etc. They are often allowed to open their own clinics.

SALARIES

There are about 2,300 doctors in public hospitals. Of late there has been unrest in the medical field because of salaries. Payment in Kenya compared to other countries is very low and this is has led to brain drain. About the same number (2000) have left the country for greener pastures.

Kenya

• The doctors earn a basic salary of:-

Interns - 30-45k

Medical officers (entry) – 60,000/-

Medical officer after 1yr in employment – 76,000/-

Senior medical officer after 3 yrs in employment – 100,000

Medical specialist – 130,000

There are other allowances such as house allowance, extraneous, hardship etc

Botswana

• Entry level medical (intern) 219,458
• Medical specialist 333,750

Namibia

• Entry level (intern) 312,000

South Africa

Entry Level (intern) 340,191

Medical specialist 1.3 m