14 May 2025, 14:19Blandine Damtse | Edited by SM CommunicationsGlasgow, Glasgow City, Scotland, United Kingdom
Glasgow Church Hosts Career Fair
Glasgow Church’s Career Guidance Day engaged youth and families in discovering career possibilities, featuring expert advice and faith-based perspectives on aligning work with personal values and purpose.
Glasgow Seventh-day Adventist Church held a community-focused Career Guidance Day on May 3, designed to help young people and families make informed, values-based career decisions. Organised by the church’s Men’s Ministries Department, the event brought together 24 professionals across a range of industries to share their experiences and advice with attendees.
The day began with a sermon by Dr Yonah Matemba, titled “Your Career Must Be More Than a Curse.” Addressing the question of how to choose a career that is a blessing rather than a burden, he drew on 2 Thessalonians 3:6–12 to warn the congregation against idleness, stating, “He who does not work must not eat.” Dr Matemba then explored what defines a fulfilling career, emphasising that it often involves a balance of work-life integration, purpose, and personal growth.
He argued that the most rewarding careers are not always the most popular or financially lucrative, but those that allow individuals to use their God-given spiritual gifts and talents in pursuit of something greater. Referencing Ellen G White’s Fundamentals of Christian Education, he described true greatness as “setting high goals not just for personal success, but for God’s glory and the achievement of the highest possible standard.” He concluded by underlining the importance of perseverance, hard work, and resilience as essential ingredients for long-term success.
The afternoon session began with a presentation titled “Connecting Faith and the Future”, delivered by Annah Masahi, a career advisor from Paisley Seventh-day Adventist Church. Sharing her personal and professional journey, Masahi spoke candidly about the perseverance it took to become the first person of African descent to hold a team leader management position at Skills Development Scotland. She described how aligning her career with her talents had been central to her success.
“More than a job, a career is a place where you find fulfillment, where you enjoy being,” she told the audience.
Grounding her message in James 1:5, Masahi encouraged youth to seek God’s wisdom when making decisions about their future. She outlined four essential elements of career management: becoming self-aware, recognising personal strengths, broadening one’s knowledge of a chosen field, and building effective networks. She especially urged young people to connect with professionals online as a strategic way to gain insights and opportunities.
Masahi also addressed parents directly, highlighting the importance of understanding how the education system works in order to guide their children effectively. She emphasised that parental support plays a key role in helping young people make informed and meaningful career choices.
Engaging with Careers First-hand
The afternoon concluded with a career fair featuring 15 career paths, ranging from engineering and artificial intelligence to education, ministry, and social research. Attendees moved from booth to booth, speaking with professionals and interacting with tools and demonstrations.
Professionals noted the enthusiasm of the children and youth. One participant described how her interaction with curious students opened opportunities for collaboration. She is now exploring the formation of a church-based club that introduces young people to artificial intelligence and its use in digital evangelism.
Among the attendees was 16-year-old Felix, who said the event broadened his understanding of career possibilities. “I realised that there are various paths to achieving my career dreams. The church should organise this more frequently, covering additional career paths,” he said. Jerome, age 6, engaged with mechanical tools and radiography films, expressing new interests in both science and social research.
As the event came to a close, participants requested more time at the booths, signalling the level of engagement throughout the afternoon.
Reflecting on the day’s impact, Elder Calvin, leader of the Men’s Ministries Department, remarked that the event opened up new perspectives for youth who previously felt uncertain or limited in their career choices. He highlighted the church’s responsibility to support young people in understanding their skills, interests, and the broader world of work. He also urged youth to develop self-belief and a sense of accountability in their career journeys.
“Although the sessions were primarily aimed at young people, we believe they will also benefit adults exploring career changes,” he said. “It was especially valuable for younger children to attend, as early exposure can help them discover their interests and talents, laying the foundation for a more fulfilling career path.”
In response to the strong engagement and positive feedback, Elder Calvin confirmed that a similar event will be organised in the future.
Pastor Claudiu Popescu expressed gratitude to the organising team and underscored the importance of hosting the career fair in a church setting. He emphasised that for young people making career decisions, integrating faith-based values and aligning their work with God's calling is essential. “It was encouraging to see individuals seeking guidance and using their talents to serve others and glorify God, no matter their chosen field,” he said.
The event concluded with attendees leaving more informed and encouraged to approach their future careers with intentionality and spiritual insight.
Glasgow Church’s Career Guidance Day engaged youth and families in discovering career possibilities, featuring expert advice and faith-based perspectives on aligning work with personal values and purpose.
Glasgow Seventh-day Adventist Church held a community-focused Career Guidance Day on May 3, designed to help young people and families make informed, values-based career decisions. Organised by the church’s Men’s Ministries Department, the event brought together 24 professionals across a range of industries to share their experiences and advice with attendees.
The day began with a sermon by Dr Yonah Matemba, titled “Your Career Must Be More Than a Curse.” Addressing the question of how to choose a career that is a blessing rather than a burden, he drew on 2 Thessalonians 3:6–12 to warn the congregation against idleness, stating, “He who does not work must not eat.” Dr Matemba then explored what defines a fulfilling career, emphasising that it often involves a balance of work-life integration, purpose, and personal growth.
He argued that the most rewarding careers are not always the most popular or financially lucrative, but those that allow individuals to use their God-given spiritual gifts and talents in pursuit of something greater. Referencing Ellen G White’s Fundamentals of Christian Education, he described true greatness as “setting high goals not just for personal success, but for God’s glory and the achievement of the highest possible standard.” He concluded by underlining the importance of perseverance, hard work, and resilience as essential ingredients for long-term success.
The afternoon session began with a presentation titled “Connecting Faith and the Future”, delivered by Annah Masahi, a career advisor from Paisley Seventh-day Adventist Church. Sharing her personal and professional journey, Masahi spoke candidly about the perseverance it took to become the first person of African descent to hold a team leader management position at Skills Development Scotland. She described how aligning her career with her talents had been central to her success.
“More than a job, a career is a place where you find fulfillment, where you enjoy being,” she told the audience.
Grounding her message in James 1:5, Masahi encouraged youth to seek God’s wisdom when making decisions about their future. She outlined four essential elements of career management: becoming self-aware, recognising personal strengths, broadening one’s knowledge of a chosen field, and building effective networks. She especially urged young people to connect with professionals online as a strategic way to gain insights and opportunities.
Masahi also addressed parents directly, highlighting the importance of understanding how the education system works in order to guide their children effectively. She emphasised that parental support plays a key role in helping young people make informed and meaningful career choices.
Engaging with Careers First-hand
The afternoon concluded with a career fair featuring 15 career paths, ranging from engineering and artificial intelligence to education, ministry, and social research. Attendees moved from booth to booth, speaking with professionals and interacting with tools and demonstrations.
Professionals noted the enthusiasm of the children and youth. One participant described how her interaction with curious students opened opportunities for collaboration. She is now exploring the formation of a church-based club that introduces young people to artificial intelligence and its use in digital evangelism.
Among the attendees was 16-year-old Felix, who said the event broadened his understanding of career possibilities. “I realised that there are various paths to achieving my career dreams. The church should organise this more frequently, covering additional career paths,” he said. Jerome, age 6, engaged with mechanical tools and radiography films, expressing new interests in both science and social research.
As the event came to a close, participants requested more time at the booths, signalling the level of engagement throughout the afternoon.
Reflecting on the day’s impact, Elder Calvin, leader of the Men’s Ministries Department, remarked that the event opened up new perspectives for youth who previously felt uncertain or limited in their career choices. He highlighted the church’s responsibility to support young people in understanding their skills, interests, and the broader world of work. He also urged youth to develop self-belief and a sense of accountability in their career journeys.
“Although the sessions were primarily aimed at young people, we believe they will also benefit adults exploring career changes,” he said. “It was especially valuable for younger children to attend, as early exposure can help them discover their interests and talents, laying the foundation for a more fulfilling career path.”
In response to the strong engagement and positive feedback, Elder Calvin confirmed that a similar event will be organised in the future.
Pastor Claudiu Popescu expressed gratitude to the organising team and underscored the importance of hosting the career fair in a church setting. He emphasised that for young people making career decisions, integrating faith-based values and aligning their work with God's calling is essential. “It was encouraging to see individuals seeking guidance and using their talents to serve others and glorify God, no matter their chosen field,” he said.
The event concluded with attendees leaving more informed and encouraged to approach their future careers with intentionality and spiritual insight.
