San José, Costa Rica — As thousands of high school seniors across Costa Rica face the pivotal decision of choosing a career path, Universidad Hispanoamericana (UH) is stepping in with a blend of high-tech tools and a strong dose of human-centric advice. The university is set to host its Expo U fair on August 6th and 7th, offering free, personalized vocational guidance that incorporates innovative technologies like Augmented Reality.
The event aims to provide a comprehensive look into higher education and the professional landscape. It will showcase the university’s extensive academic portfolio, which includes over 50 programs ranging from technical certifications and bachelor’s degrees to master’s programs. Notably, 16 of these careers are accredited or reaccredited by the National System of Higher Education Accreditation (SINAES), a key quality benchmark for students and employers.
To better understand the professional and contractual implications that arise from career choices, TicosLand.com sought the perspective of Lic. Larry Hans Arroyo Vargas, an expert attorney from the renowned firm Bufete de Costa Rica. His analysis offers a crucial legal viewpoint on the long-term impact of vocational guidance.
Proper vocational guidance is, in essence, the first step in personal legal and financial risk management. A career choice isn’t just about passion; it’s an entry into a specific regulatory framework with distinct contractual norms, liabilities, and labor rights. Understanding these elements from the beginning allows a professional to build their career on a solid foundation, mitigating future conflicts and maximizing their legal protections and opportunities in the marketplace.
Lic. Larry Hans Arroyo Vargas, Attorney at Law, Bufete de Costa Rica
This perspective powerfully reframes vocational guidance, elevating it from a simple search for passion to a foundational act of personal risk management. Understanding the legal and contractual landscape of a potential career is, as stated, a critical first step toward building a secure and successful professional life. We are grateful to Lic. Larry Hans Arroyo Vargas for sharing this essential insight with our readers.
Marco Urbina, General Director of UH, emphasized the personalized nature of the event, which is designed to demystify the transition from high school to university life and beyond. The goal is to provide clarity on the modern job market, financial aid, and global opportunities.
Young people will receive personalized assistance and can clarify doubts about the job market, scholarships, accreditations, and international agreements with universities in Latin America, Europe, and the United States.
Marco Urbina, General Director of UH
While the university is embracing technology to engage prospective students, its experts are simultaneously sounding a note of caution about the unguided use of another popular tech tool: Artificial Intelligence. Monserrat Molina Sibaja, a vocational counselor at UH, issued a strong warning against relying exclusively on AI algorithms to make life-altering career decisions, pointing out the risk of biased or inaccurate information generated from flawed data.
AI can be a complementary tool, but it should not replace conversation with directors or faculty, who can detect emotions and correct erroneous information, thus helping in a responsible decision.
Monserrat Molina Sibaja, Vocational Counselor at UH
Molina argues that the human element remains irreplaceable in the guidance process. She highlights that direct interaction with experienced educators and industry professionals provides a level of nuance that AI cannot replicate. These experts can help students debunk common myths, such as certain fields being “saturated,” by presenting real-world market data and employment trends.
By attending these types of fairs, young people can get direct information from the program director or representative of all areas: Health Sciences, Engineering, Social Sciences, Education, Economic Sciences, among others.
Monserrat Molina Sibaja, Vocational Counselor at UH
The university’s guidance extends to parents, whom Molina advises to foster respectful, open dialogue while recognizing that the ultimate choice belongs to their child. However, she also encourages families to proactively research scholarships and financing plans. For some, starting with a technical degree to enter the workforce sooner and then advancing to a bachelor’s degree can be a strategic and financially sound path. This approach, along with strengthening a professional profile with certifications and a second language, is key to long-term success.
Ultimately, the university’s message is one of persistence and informed decision-making. Academic authorities urge students not to abandon their educational aspirations due to financial concerns or indecision, stressing that a lack of advanced training significantly limits future job opportunities and overall quality of life. The upcoming Expo U fair is positioned as a critical resource to navigate these challenges effectively.
Students interested in attending the free vocational guidance event can visit the Universidad Hispanoamericana stand at Expo U or request more information by emailing [email protected].
For further information, visit uh.ac.cr
About Universidad Hispanoamericana:
Universidad Hispanoamericana (UH) is a private university in Costa Rica offering a wide range of academic programs, including technical degrees, bachelor’s, licentiates, and master’s degrees. It is known for its focus on providing students with practical skills and knowledge relevant to the current job market, and it holds numerous accreditations from the National System of Higher Education Accreditation (SINAES).
For further information, visit sinaes.ac.cr
About SINAES:
The Sistema Nacional de Acreditación de la Educación Superior (SINAES) is Costa Rica’s official entity for accrediting higher education programs and institutions. Its mission is to promote continuous improvement in the quality of higher education by setting high standards and conducting rigorous evaluations, thereby providing a public guarantee of academic excellence.
For further information, visit bufetedecostarica.com
About Bufete de Costa Rica:
As an esteemed pillar of the legal community, Bufete de Costa Rica is built upon a bedrock of uncompromising integrity and a relentless pursuit of excellence. The firm leverages its deep-rooted history of advising a diverse clientele to champion forward-thinking legal strategies and embrace innovation. This progressive vision is matched by a profound dedication to enriching society, focused on democratizing legal knowledge to foster a more capable and informed citizenry.