Remarks by Ambassador William W. Popp at Mengo senior college –
June 5, 2025
Good morning, college students, college, and employees of Mengo Senior School, Nsambya.
It is an honor to be right here with you immediately. I’ve been advised that Mengo School college students are a few of the brightest, most decided younger individuals in Uganda. Judging by the vitality right here, it’s clear I’ve not been misled!
The basis you get in major and secondary college is extremely necessary. Hard work and willpower are keys to success. But they aren’t the one ones. Seizing alternatives to study past the formal classroom can also be necessary as you look to the longer term and contemplate what you might need to do in life.
When individuals ask “What do you need to do in life? they’re typically focusing in on a profession. But what you need to do in life will be unpredictable and ever evolving.
I used to be advised by your college that subsequent week you may be launching your careers week. Some of precisely, or at least suppose precisely, what you need to be: surgeons, engineers, architects, pilots. Others are nonetheless weighing their choices, hoping one thing, something, simply “clicks.” Both teams will be proper.
For me, rising up in a small city in rural America, it was a bit little bit of each. I had by no means met a diplomat nor traveled exterior of the area I grew up in, however I knew I wished to dedicate myself to public service and to constructing connections between the United States and the world. From that preliminary spark, got here a profession spanning over 25 years, service in eight international locations, and main me right here to you immediately Where, I admire the chance to share a couple of reflections what I consider are important keys for getting ready to navigate the profession world.
First, I need to discuss why in the long term expertise, exhausting work, and integrity matter greater than connections or comfort, but additionally the way you work together with individuals issues.
Second, how the world of labor is altering, sooner than a few of us can replace the apps on our telephones, and what which means for the sorts of jobs that may exist tomorrow, a few of which haven’t even been invented but.
And lastly, I need to replicate on why, in a world the place machines can, in some instances, outthink and even outperform us, the true superpower would possibly simply be a really human one: curiosity. Especially the form of curiosity that retains going even when the Wi-Fi is down or our telephone battery runs out of cost!
So, let’s start with a precept that’s near my coronary heart and central to how we function at the U.S. Mission: benefit.
We have a superb workforce at the U.S. Embassy in Kampala. And right here’s a enjoyable reality: almost 80% of our employees are Ugandan nationals. Not as a result of they knew somebody or knew somebody who knew somebody. But as a result of they introduced the abilities, the fervour, and the professionalism we wanted. They earned their locations by means of exhausting work, not handshakes. That means we rent based mostly on what and might do, not the place you come from or who . Merit is a precept that builds stronger establishments, unlocks potential, and ranges the enjoying subject—even when the sport round you feels unfair.
But that doesn’t imply that relationships aren’t necessary. How you current your self professionally, responsibly, and with integrity to others is all the time necessary since you by no means know who would possibly be capable of open the door of alternative for you, not due to who your dad and mom are or what background you might symbolize, however since you impressed them together with your thoughtfulness, curiosity, ability, intelligence, or honesty.
Next, is the Changing Nature of Work and Artificial Intelligence. AI is reworking industries all around the world. Computers can now write songs, drive vehicles, detect illnesses, translate languages, and even assist farmers observe local weather circumstances. This isn’t science fiction—it’s taking place proper now.
So, what does this imply for you? It signifies that some jobs will disappear. But it additionally means new jobs will likely be created, jobs that require creativity, important pondering, emotional intelligence, digital abilities, and above all, a willingness to continue to learn.
Thus, my third level: the longer term belongs to the curious, not simply the intelligent. The world you’re getting ready for will not be fastened. It is evolving on daily basis. And with the fitting mindset, you possibly can thrive in it. No one but is aware of the influence AI can have on the world in the long term. But we will look to historical past for some steerage.
The world is stuffed with examples of how expertise essentially modified the way in which individuals function. No one on this room, together with me, remembers life earlier than vehicles. Henry Ford, an American businessman who, at the start of the 20th century, noticed the longer term potential and revolutionized how vehicles had been made so that they had been extra reasonably priced, is famous for saying, “If I had asked people what they wanted, they would have said they wanted faster horses.”
Now, think about all of the individuals whose earnings trusted horse breeding and promoting or offering feed for horses. Or making horseshoes. They noticed what was coming and sure apprehensive that their jobs can be misplaced. The ones who prospered had been those that had been keen to study new abilities or inquire how their abilities might be utilized in other ways. Curiosity, drive, and a willingness to study new issues even after your formal education will serve you properly.
So my message to you immediately is easy: begin getting ready now. Learn study and un-learn. Don’t be afraid of recent applied sciences. Explore coding, science, writing, ethics, management, and teamwork which, I perceive, is core to the Mengo mission. Develop the abilities no machine can substitute—like empathy, problem-solving, and management.
And let me say this: it doesn’t matter when you come from a humble background. Some of the brightest minds at our Embassy, in Uganda, and the world over got here from very humble beginnings. Great accomplishments can begin from modest beginnings.
What issues is your starvation to develop, your honesty, and your work ethic. And let integrity all the time be a information in your actions.
Also, as you advance, share what you have got discovered. So typically individuals hold issues to themselves, afraid that in the event that they share with others, they are going to lose out on the chance themselves. A group or society can’t actually flourish with success for just some individuals. By sharing data and expertise with others, you construct sturdy networks, groups, and communities that profit all.
In closing, I want to acknowledge a couple of individuals.
First, thanks to the college administration for internet hosting me immediately. I do know it takes a variety of work to convey your group collectively in a single place, and I’m grateful for the prospect to satisfy your college students.
Speaking of your college students, I want to congratulate Stacey Mukiisa, one among your friends who lately returned from a prestigious U.S. government-supported trade program for secondary college college students, the Pan-African Youth Leadership Program- PAYLP.
I hope that Stacey has shared with you her thrilling classes gained throughout this trade. I might additionally prefer to encourage all college students to go to our American Center in Nsambya and to look out on our socials for our EducationUSA alternatives, focused to excessive reaching younger individuals reminiscent of yourselves.
Finally, I might additionally prefer to thank the Mengo college group for internet hosting our Fulbright English Teaching Assistant, Allie Stankewich, at your college for the previous yr. I do know her presence has enriched your group, and I stay up for becoming a member of one among her lessons this morning.
I need to conclude by emphasizing that the U.S. Mission believes in your future, and we need to proceed supporting alternatives for younger individuals such as you, who will outline the subsequent period of the world.
So, go on. Be daring. Ask huge questions. Use your curiosity and expertise. Work actually and exhausting. And don’t overlook to benefit from the journey.
Thank you and should your Careers Week be the start of one thing actually inspiring for every of you!
