Hard work and integrity among the youth are gradually becoming scarce as some prefer to cut corners and be dishonest to be "successful".

But students of the University of Energy and Natural Resources (UENR), in Sunyani during Hollard Insurance Mentoring Day, have been urged to embrace hard work and let their integrity be seen in every endeavour they find themselves.

A Supply Chain Expert, Stephen Atuahene Oppong, made the remarks at the annual Hollard-UENR Streetwise Finance Mentoring Day in Sunyani.

Speaking on "How I prepared for my future as a young person", he said students should let their integrity shine if they desire career advancement and progression.

He said, "It is impossible to develop a successful career outside integrity, hard work, availability, reliability, competence, and a God-fearing nature". 

He, therefore, urged students to plan and work towards a successful life after school instead of seeing success as an event without virtues.

Mr Oppong further enlightened the students on preparing and saving for the future.

"When you save up to a certain level, invest in high-yielding instruments and dream beyond the investment", he advised.

He added, "As you dream, dream to suit your level and circumstances", without disliking small beginnings.

Mr Oppong also advised the students who would enter into business after school not to over-trust partners and workers but to make enough time for supervision to avoid what he described as a “nightmare".

The 3rd Hollard-UENR Mentoring Day was on the theme, "A Better Future: Empowering the Next Generation of Leaders."

The initiative, according to Cynthia Ofori-Dwumfuo, Group Head of Marketing and Corporate Affairs at Hollard Insurance, forms part of a partnership with the University under the Hollard X Academia programme, designed to bridge the gap between Academia and the world of work.

She explained other initiatives, including the Hollard scholar program, which provides funding support for several university students through school and work internship modules to prepare them for the real world.

She mentioned how engagements with students continue to shape the negative perception and the lack of trust in the insurance business.

"These students now understand how insurance works and its benefits", she noted.

A panel discussion and breakout sessions with facilitators from the University and Hollard Insurance senior managers were part of the mentoring activities.

Topics including "Understanding your first job finances", "Insurance 101: Understanding risks and how to protect your future", "Savings and Investments", and "Acing your first job interview", were handled.

The sessions, among other things, introduced the students to the importance of savings, tracking income and expenses to avoid living paycheck to paycheck and having adequate insurance coverage.

Some of the students expressed their gratitude to Hollard Insurance for their continued interest in getting them ready for the job market and the future. 

They believed the impact of Hollard X Academia for the past three years would manifest in their lives after school as it has with some old students of UENR in the real world.