The journey of becoming a Judge – What you need to know

Authors: >> Aziz Kitaka [ Project Assistant ] , >> Andrew Magunda [ Executive Director ]

Organization: Careerpath Uganda

Watching a video clip in which Careerpath Uganda featured students from Savio College School came with mixed emotions. First, it was an indication of the looming need for career advice for students. Secondly, it was a confirmed revelation that several career fields require special career information. One of the students from this school shared that their career goal was to become a “Judge” in future.

With a lot of conviction, he confidently asserted that he wanted to become a Judge. Frankly, this student seemed to be wholly fascinated by the idea of becoming a judge in future. But this raises one ultimate question, “Do students know how one becomes a judge?” By and large, we know there is no school one can attend to become a judge. No accredited Ugandan law school offers a course of study in judging. Doctors go to medical school, engineers get a degree in engineering, students aspiring to be architects study architecture, while accountants study accounting. This is the route for with every profession except for judges.

For one to become a judge, he or she must first be a lawyer. It does not matter what kind of lawyer you are, provided you are highly respected in the legal community, you can become one. Becoming a lawyer and therefore a judge takes a series of events. For students at secondary level of education, you must first graduate from A-Level, go to law school, graduate, take the bar examination at the Law Development Center. After this, you can become a valid lawyer and advocate.

After a couple of years of good legal practice, discipline, zeal and determination in the legal community, one can then apply to become a judge. Hopefully, this blog will be of help to those interested in pursuing a life of judgeship and give some suggestions on how best to try to achieve that goal. Careerpath Uganda has committed to integrating career teaching and learning in Uganda’s education system. Our programs provide career education, work experience education and employability education to young people to increase their ability to define their career ambitions.

Doing it the graphical way - Illustrating career advice messages in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic

Authors: >> Ronald Butala [ Graphic Designer ] , >> Andrew Magunda [ Executive Director ]

Organization: Careerpath Uganda

Introduction:
It was in early 2020 that Ronald Butala became part of the Careerpath team as a graphics designer. His coming coincided with the start of a fully-fledged Graphics team at the organization. With his graphic prowess, he was immediately ushered in as the team lead for the new graphics team. Since then Ronald has seen himself grow into a better designer, and his growth came with the progression of Careerpath digital platforms. To Ronald, this is because ideas are openly shared within the graphics team, various submissions are considered, and necessary adjustments are made before reaching the final product.

The Genesis:
While Uganda’s education system had already been struggling to go digital, this unfortunate shock has been worsened by the COVID-19 outbreak in Uganda in March 2020. A recent national-wide lock down of movement of people, public and private transport and closure of all education institutions left access to classroom-based teaching and learning completely absent.

The Innovation:
The advent of the graphics team was a timely venture to support young people to continue learning using several technological innovations. Using all its major social media platforms, including Facebook, WhatsApp, Twitter and Youtube, Careerpath has innovated and shared several messages to enable young people keep learning using graphical illustrations.



Picture 1: Example of a graphic by Careerpath (Photo Credit: Careerpath Graphics team)

As the lead graphics designer, Ronald has had a busy field day during this season. “My stay at Careerpath has been and is an interesting one. I have handled many projects some of which include the 100 days of career advice, COVID-19 and home-schooling, public holiday messages pertinent to the work of careerpath, and Career guidance awards”, says Ronald. To Ronald, the most outstanding project was the 100 days of career advice. He says before making and submitting the products, he takes time to read every piece of career advice and its respective career lesson. These have been so impactful to him and he has been able to apply them in his other fields of operation and in his day to day life. He has also got an opportunity to learn from other people’s COVID-19 experiences. These include students and professionals.



Picture 2 and 3: Examples of graphics by Careerpath (Photo Credit: Careerpath Graphics team)

Early dividends:
The graphics content has ultimately enabled students to escape the impact of the COVID-19 lock down on education and still progress with their career learning with no interruptions. They have been remotely acquiring necessary knowledge and skills. As a designer who has an audience to address, Ronald is always filled with joy to learn that people are benefiting from the work Careerpath is doing. “I get to know this from the positive feedback got whenever an image is shared on social media platforms. Creating positive impact is one of my heart desires; and working with Careerpath, this desire is fulfilled”, says Ronald.

Going forward:
Careerpath intends to continue upholding the use of graphical content to achieve quality education. Globally, quality education for all is a universal goal and so is use of technology. Effective integration of digital learning in education can transform pedagogy , enabling young people access quality lifelong learning and preparing them for a globally competitive workforce.

About Careerpath:
Careerpath exists to integrate career teaching and learning in Uganda’s education system, build and maintain career mentorship opportunities for young people, and nurture career goals of young people by addressing career gaps. Between 2017 and 2019 their career work directly benefitted 6,100 students in 20 schools and universities in 5 districts in Uganda