By Modern Muhereza,
Muhereza Writes
Last week was full of bliss, and glamour because of the Graduation ceremonies of different institutions across the country notably being Makerere University, MUBS, Mbarara University among others not excluding other tertiary institutions.
Every year, the number of graduates across the country increases. Another fact not to ignore is that that females are proving to be performing better than male students and graduating more than male students . For example this year 48 % of Makerere graduands were male whereas 52% were female. This is a paradigm shift from the past statistics. Whether this is accredited to the 1.5 scheme or not, It will be a topic for another day. Congratulations Graduates, the Journey has just begun.
“But what next after, graduation?” This question cannot be effectively answered before taking into perspective the facts at hand. According to a recent government survey, 93% of graduates can’t get jobs. If this survey is to be considered, it means that if something isn’t done in terms of government policies, this percentage is likely to increase since every year number of graduates increase. Forty or fifty years ago, getting an education was equal to achieving economic and social success later in life. At that time there were too many jobs chasing after few graduates.
Now with increased population, the situation has been reversed and we have too many graduates chasing after too few jobs.
If now that these are the factual dynamics, so what is expected of a graduate.
1. Equip yourselves with extra/practical skills
Our education system lacks a pragmatic touch. Most of the courses offered at university are either obsolete or too theoritical that they can’t give a graduate an upper hand to effectively compete. A CV with extra skills will make you outstanding and give you a better chance to be hired.
2. Start Reading
In a world that is 360 degrees, university gives you just a one degree perspective of the world. You have to position your self to understand how the world works. You need to equip yourselves with knowledge of different fields for example if your are a teacher, you will need to know about economics, ICT. You will need to know about marketing because at a particular time you would need to market something even yourself and you will need to know more about psychology this will make you outstanding.
3. Use any of your leverage to get what you want.
Some of these motivational speakers you listen to won’t tell you 100% of how they achieved what they have. Motivation acts on sensationalism in most cases not reality so they will rarely tell you that that they benched that rich uncle who gave them some money to start a certain investment. Iam not saying that you put your hopes in people but I am telling you to use any leverage you have be it a rich uncle, government connection etc to get what you want. This world is conquered by assertive people not victims.
4. Don’t be deluded, don’t despise work.
Work is an ethic that needs to be developed over time. Some of you have graduated when you have never done any job yet you hope to just land on a job of your dreams and start at the the top. That CEO you emulate has worked his way to the top and its more likely to be your pattern as well. Robert Kabushenga started as one sorting news papers at Vision Group before years later becoming a CEO. You need to develop a work ethic, you need to experience how a work environment is like so go for that job and start from there.
5. Dont Give Up hunting, Persistence yields results.
I know you have freinds that graduated before you and perherps they haven’t got jobs. That shouldn’t discourage you from hunting, prepare that CV, keep it ready anytime you see an opportunity, it will work for you. Stay positive, not all jobs in the country are got by connections.
6. Trust In God.
Every man at the helm of all desires and amidst all worldly pressures wants something thing that is way superior than him which he can have hope in. In this kind of world that is cruel, one needs God to give him hope in everything. There is nothing that destroys a man like no hope. A man who has hope has every thing and only unwavering hope can be found in God who is infinite.
The writer is a Ugandan Businessman and Social Commentator. muherezamodern@gmail.com
