Jobless Graduates
Advisor Owen Katongo Kabanda, what is your view on the rising number of college/university graduates who are roaming the streets with no jobs for them to do?
Unemployment is Real
Well, without going into all the mumbo-jumbo stuff about all the nice classifications of unemployment which include frictional, structural, cyclical, classical, and natural unemployment among so many others, the bottom line is unemployment is real and people are searching for jobs.
As a Graduate, when finishing your college/university, you had everything figured out.
Degree? Check, big job? Check, big office? Check, fat salary? Check, nice big car? Check, paid vacations in the Bahamas? Check.
You see, being a Graduate can be so good.
With so much air of self-importance, you descended the graduation podium to go and conquer the world, run the big corporations and the Governments.
Yeah, you told yourself that you are the crème de la crème of your society and people should treat you with respect.
You are not some common man.
Ooh, did someone forget to give you heads up that maybe the world you were now stepping into is not as ideal as everything played out in your mind?
The Labour Market as it is called, is not like 1+1=2, it is complex.
If you find employment just after graduation, be thankful because you are among the few who get to be lucky like that.
For many graduates however, they have to walk around, stepping on and killing ants, and having highly finished shoe heels that look like they were being chiselled to become a tool for war or something of that nature.
Reasons for Graduates Failing to Get Jobs
There are many reasons that people and the Governments will tell you as to why graduates are still sweating and languishing in the streets with no hope of any job in sight.
But let us talk about two of those reasons:
1. Labour Market Factors
It is not rocket science even a two years kid can tell that jobs are hard to come by.
There are high numbers of colleges and universities which have sprung up locally and internationally and they are churning out graduates at high rates like never seen before.
The irony is that, with the fast increase in the number of graduates on one end, there is no proportionate fast increase in the number of companies being set up on the other end to create employment opportunities for the graduates.
2. Graduate’s Personal Factors
While the performance of the economies in many countries might make it difficult for graduates to have great employment opportunities at the rate they may want, some other personal factors also play a role:
(a) The Ego/Pride of Some Graduates
Okay you are a graduate we get it, now the whole idea of you becoming too proud and looking down on anyone who seem to be not of your class could lead you to miss out even on some job opportunities.
(b) Some Graduates Not Accepting To Do Certain Jobs
Being too proud that you cannot accept certain jobs unless you are given a specific job that you went to school for and such issues, will make you lose out on job opportunities, period, there is no argument about that.
The populations have gone up and globalisation has made it possible for even people from other countries to be readily available for jobs in your region.
Being choosy will most likely not help you too much.
(c) Some Graduates Not Accepting Positions Below Management Level
So, right from your desk in your college/university, you think you think you have made it in life, and now you are so superior and have acquired all the management skills required.
The whole notion of saying you can only start at a Manager or Director’s level is not the best of ideas unless that is in your own company.
But, if it works out for you, well and good and congratulations.
We can only wish you all the best.
(d) Some Graduates Not Accepting To Work in Certain Companies
The fantasy from school that you can only work for big corporations and the Government so that you get all the nice packages and drive the latest Director’s vehicles, should be kept in check.
Starting with even small organisations allows you to learn how to be passionate about a business and when your time comes for you to go to big corporations, you will be exposed to systems and procedures there.
Be humble, you never know from the so called small institution, you can end up gaining the much needed experience that helps you even when you go to your much dreamt about bigger institution.
(e) Some Graduates Not Accepting To Be Paid Certain Salaries
To be clear, no one should accept to be paid slave wages.
But before you declare your salary to be slave wages, do a salary survey to know what the market is paying for your position and ask the Labour Office in your country for the possible wages for your position by law (where applicable).
The idea that you should be paid huge salaries just because you have a Degree and you even refuse certain jobs or you resign, might not be the best of ideas.
Try to learn to budget and live within your means.
When another job comes later, move and get paid more.
(f) Some Graduates Not Accepting To be Supervised by the so called “Uneducated People”
Sometimes you get a chance to even start some job or you have some inside information that the Managers in such and such a company are not so educated with all the Degrees and Doctorates that you may want.
So, out of pride, you choose not to join such a company or you resign because for you, you are above such mediocre leadership as you fondly call it.
Well, Mr./Mrs. Highly Educated, please proceed to go and find a place somewhere else where you fit.
Being too full of yourself, robs you of immense opportunities to learn something from older and experienced people even if they do not have the so called education you desire.
You learn a lot by simply being humble. You never know you could come and be promoted.
(g) Some Graduates Waiting for Their Connections to Find a Job For Them
Sometimes, you sit home and you are just chilling in your community because you are convinced that your connection (relative, friend, politician, bae, or whatever) is going to pull all the strings in the world, and the job will simply come to your doorstep.
All the best in that endeavour.
(h) Some Graduates Not Working on Their CVs and Skills for Interviews
At other times, you look at your Diploma or Degree paper and you think that this is what tells your prospective employers everything about you. Really?
Do your CV properly. You have been to school, Google or get someone to help you make a proper CV.
Again do not waste money on conmen, use credible people if you have to.
Then comes a rare chance for you to attend interviews.
What do you do? You do not prepare for anything and just walk in the interviews majestically because you are the mighty Degree Holder.
You are asked why you should be given the job or why you should be picked from so many other applicants.
Your answer, “Because I have a Degree”. Ooh, really, just like that?
You are competing with so many other Degree holders and that is all you can say? Whaao, all the best if that attitude and answer can get you the job, really, all the best.
What Options are Available to Graduates
Despite the labour market factors, there is always something you can endeavour to do to at least to increase your chances of success in life.
(1) Take Your Job Hunt Seriously
No job (at least in many cases) would simply come to your doorstep.
Take your job hunt seriously.
Complaining, drinking, and engaging in all sorts of vices so that people feel pity for you will help you to succeed fast only in your head, and will draw sympathy from those who have too much time on their hands to sympathize with you.
(2) Pursue Business & Your Talents/Passion
You may have no idea about running a business.
One thing however about a true Graduate (hopefully you are not one of those that were just using crooks and hired others to do everything for them), is that, they are fighters.
How many times did Lecturers give you assignments and things that you had absolutely no idea about, but in the end, you still managed to research and nailed the assignment or test accordingly.
So, what is so special about involving yourself in a business no matter how petty and embarrassing it might be?
Of course it is easier said than done, but who said life will be easy for anyone?
It is all your choice either way, and no one will live your life for you.
Try to identify some of your Core Competencies and pursue your dreams.
If someone who only went up to secondary level education can find a way to make it, how about you a fighter?
You know that you can do it.
Remember, do not be closed up.
The same skills you were using to get data from your colleagues, Lecturers, the library, and the internet among others sources means that you can use the same skills to get business information.
Seek guidance from some people who have made it or a credible Business Advisors in your country.
Do not fall prey to the scams of making quick money through some unknown methods that conmen are busy selling to desperate people.
You will only live to blame yourself.
Closing Remarks
Whatever you choose to do with your life as a Graduate, do not fall into the trap of sleeping with so called prospective employers to get a job.
If you want a relationship to have fun as it is called, then just have one but not in the hope of exchanging your sex for a job.
Again, other people tell you to pay some upfront amount sometimes equivalent to your expected first salary and promise to give you a job or they promise to connect you to some employer.
While this could have worked for some, know that it is suicide to your career.
When you sleep or pay someone to get a job, simply be prepared to repeat the same act for you to get “Confirmation after Probation”, then you will come have to do the same for you to get a Promotion and Salary Increment, and the list goes on.
The choice is really yours.
In some societies that are highly religious, it is not uncommon to find Graduates being taken advantage of by some self-proclaimed so called holy men/women who demand for sex and huge amounts of money in exchange for the so called blessings.
Be cautious in everything.
Nobody says life after graduation is going to be beds of roses and everything is going to be so easy.
However, do all what you can in your capacity, then have some patience, and in due time you will make it in life either as an Employee or a Business Owner and all your struggles shall only be stories to come and tell your grandchildren.
Read the full article on this link https://m.facebook.com/story.php?story_fbid=2312563975635733&id=100006464606418
The irony is that, with the fast increase in the number of graduates on one end, there is no proportionate fast increase in the number of companies being set up on the other end to create employment opportunities for the graduates.
2. Graduate’s Personal Factors
While the performance of the economies in many countries might make it difficult for graduates to have great employment opportunities at the rate they may want, some other personal factors also play a role:
(a) The Ego/Pride of Some Graduates
Okay you are a graduate we get it, now the whole idea of you becoming too proud and looking down on anyone who seem to be not of your class could lead you to miss out even on some job opportunities.
(b) Some Graduates Not Accepting To Do Certain Jobs
Being too proud that you cannot accept certain jobs unless you are given a specific job that you went to school for and such issues, will make you lose out on job opportunities, period, there is no argument about that.
The populations have gone up and globalisation has made it possible for even people from other countries to be readily available for jobs in your region.
Being choosy will most likely not help you too much.
(c) Some Graduates Not Accepting Positions Below Management Level
So, right from your desk in your college/university, you think you think you have made it in life, and now you are so superior and have acquired all the management skills required.
The whole notion of saying you can only start at a Manager or Director’s level is not the best of ideas unless that is in your own company.
But, if it works out for you, well and good and congratulations.
We can only wish you all the best.
(d) Some Graduates Not Accepting To Work in Certain Companies
The fantasy from school that you can only work for big corporations and the Government so that you get all the nice packages and drive the latest Director’s vehicles, should be kept in check.
Starting with even small organisations allows you to learn how to be passionate about a business and when your time comes for you to go to big corporations, you will be exposed to systems and procedures there.
Be humble, you never know from the so called small institution, you can end up gaining the much needed experience that helps you even when you go to your much dreamt about bigger institution.
(e) Some Graduates Not Accepting To Be Paid Certain Salaries
To be clear, no one should accept to be paid slave wages.
But before you declare your salary to be slave wages, do a salary survey to know what the market is paying for your position and ask the Labour Office in your country for the possible wages for your position by law (where applicable).
The idea that you should be paid huge salaries just because you have a Degree and you even refuse certain jobs or you resign, might not be the best of ideas.
Try to learn to budget and live within your means.
When another job comes later, move and get paid more.
(f) Some Graduates Not Accepting To be Supervised by the so called “Uneducated People”
Sometimes you get a chance to even start some job or you have some inside information that the Managers in such and such a company are not so educated with all the Degrees and Doctorates that you may want.
So, out of pride, you choose not to join such a company or you resign because for you, you are above such mediocre leadership as you fondly call it.
Well, Mr./Mrs. Highly Educated, please proceed to go and find a place somewhere else where you fit.
Being too full of yourself, robs you of immense opportunities to learn something from older and experienced people even if they do not have the so called education you desire.
You learn a lot by simply being humble. You never know you could come and be promoted.
(g) Some Graduates Waiting for Their Connections to Find a Job For Them
Sometimes, you sit home and you are just chilling in your community because you are convinced that your connection (relative, friend, politician, bae, or whatever) is going to pull all the strings in the world, and the job will simply come to your doorstep.
All the best in that endeavour.
(h) Some Graduates Not Working on Their CVs and Skills for Interviews
At other times, you look at your Diploma or Degree paper and you think that this is what tells your prospective employers everything about you. Really?
Do your CV properly. You have been to school, Google or get someone to help you make a proper CV.
Again do not waste money on conmen, use credible people if you have to.
Then comes a rare chance for you to attend interviews.
What do you do? You do not prepare for anything and just walk in the interviews majestically because you are the mighty Degree Holder.
You are asked why you should be given the job or why you should be picked from so many other applicants.
Your answer, “Because I have a Degree”. Ooh, really, just like that?
You are competing with so many other Degree holders and that is all you can say? Whaao, all the best if that attitude and answer can get you the job, really, all the best.
What Options are Available to Graduates
Despite the labour market factors, there is always something you can endeavour to do to at least to increase your chances of success in life.
(1) Take Your Job Hunt Seriously
No job (at least in many cases) would simply come to your doorstep.
Take your job hunt seriously.
Complaining, drinking, and engaging in all sorts of vices so that people feel pity for you will help you to succeed fast only in your head, and will draw sympathy from those who have too much time on their hands to sympathize with you.
(2) Pursue Business & Your Talents/Passion
You may have no idea about running a business.
One thing however about a true Graduate (hopefully you are not one of those that were just using crooks and hired others to do everything for them), is that, they are fighters.
How many times did Lecturers give you assignments and things that you had absolutely no idea about, but in the end, you still managed to research and nailed the assignment or test accordingly.
So, what is so special about involving yourself in a business no matter how petty and embarrassing it might be?
Of course it is easier said than done, but who said life will be easy for anyone?
It is all your choice either way, and no one will live your life for you.
Try to identify some of your Core Competencies and pursue your dreams.
If someone who only went up to secondary level education can find a way to make it, how about you a fighter?
You know that you can do it.
Remember, do not be closed up.
The same skills you were using to get data from your colleagues, Lecturers, the library, and the internet among others sources means that you can use the same skills to get business information.
Seek guidance from some people who have made it or a credible Business Advisors in your country.
Do not fall prey to the scams of making quick money through some unknown methods that conmen are busy selling to desperate people.
You will only live to blame yourself.
Closing Remarks
Whatever you choose to do with your life as a Graduate, do not fall into the trap of sleeping with so called prospective employers to get a job.
If you want a relationship to have fun as it is called, then just have one but not in the hope of exchanging your sex for a job.
Again, other people tell you to pay some upfront amount sometimes equivalent to your expected first salary and promise to give you a job or they promise to connect you to some employer.
While this could have worked for some, know that it is suicide to your career.
When you sleep or pay someone to get a job, simply be prepared to repeat the same act for you to get “Confirmation after Probation”, then you will come have to do the same for you to get a Promotion and Salary Increment, and the list goes on.
The choice is really yours.
In some societies that are highly religious, it is not uncommon to find Graduates being taken advantage of by some self-proclaimed so called holy men/women who demand for sex and huge amounts of money in exchange for the so called blessings.
Be cautious in everything.
Nobody says life after graduation is going to be beds of roses and everything is going to be so easy.
However, do all what you can in your capacity, then have some patience, and in due time you will make it in life either as an Employee or a Business Owner and all your struggles shall only be stories to come and tell your grandchildren.
Read the full article on this link https://m.facebook.com/story.php?story_fbid=2312563975635733&id=100006464606418
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