In today’s world, the pursuit of education is often seen as the most reliable path to securing a job and a prosperous future. However, the reality is far more complex.
Obtaining a degree does not necessarily guarantee immediate employment, and this reality is especially evident in African nations.
While education undoubtedly equips individuals with valuable knowledge and skills, it doesn’t automatically translate into job offers as the global job market has become highly competitive, and employers increasingly seek a blend of qualifications, experience, and adaptability.
This, coupled with employment trends like; silent quitting, moonlighting, gig economy, among others, has seen many graduates unemployed, despite having academic papers.
To address this challenge, Festus Irungu, the Head of Department at Mount Kigali University Rwanda (MKUR), stressed the need for graduates to be open-minded and willing to do extra learning by taking up volunteering opportunities.
According to Irungu, the willingness to adapt and learn, even outside one’s chosen field of study in the rapidly evolving job market is essential.
“While education is advantageous, it cannot guarantee a complete job market. When teaching, I encourage students to be open-minded and flexible, in order to adapt to changing work environments”, he remarked.
In the same way, Andrew Osongo Nyanyuki, the Dean of Mass Communication at EAUR (East African University Rwanda), urged graduates to learn fund-hunting skills like; writing business proposals to get grants and sponsorships for their self-employment ventures.
Osongo, who partly attributed the skyrocketing unemployment figures to ‘Africa’s hard economy’, further called upon governments to provide low-cost loan options for graduates to start up their own businesses.
“We like talking about self-employment but even then, the economy has to be performing well for people to demand goods and services of the self-employed, and afford them”, he explained, adding that self-employment requires capital, which fresh graduates don’t have.
He thus urged governments to: “be deliberate about growing the economies and establish systems that reward meritocracy and shun nepotism and bribery for jobs”.
“Some graduates from humble backgrounds, qualified and competent for the few available jobs don’t get them because the jobs go to the kids of the rich and connected”, he remarked.
SENS spoke to freshly graduated candidates in different industries who shared insights on how they were able to break the barriers.
Felix Uwimana Hirwa, a customer care officer at CHUK (University Teaching Hospital of Kigali) says he was able to land a job immediately after graduation because of his outstanding portfolio.
In his words, “I did a lot of volunteering, attended career seminars and workshops, in addition to taking on free online courses, two years before my graduation. This earned me several certificates and recognitions in my career, thus after graduation, I received a bunch of job offers, but only took on three and declined others”.
Felix advises students yet to graduate to initially understand their career aspirations, and then go for internships and volunteering opportunities without focusing on money.
In addition, he endorses the idea of ‘spending to learn’, stating that sometimes it requires one to invest in themselves before one can benefit.
Likewise, Ines Rutayisire, who recently graduated from Mount Kenya University Rwanda (MKUR), now working as a content and copywriter at Right Venture Creatives in Kigali, admits the hardships in finding employment right after graduation, but it’s not a thing that’s not possible.
According to Rutayisire, instead of looking for ‘big’ jobs, graduates should instead look out for internship opportunities with recognized institutions so as to strengthen their resume.
Equally, graduates should prioritize acquiring a diverse skill set to enhance their marketability and to be noticed by potential employers, says Rutayisire.
Although she just graduated with her Bachelor’s degree in mass communication and media, Rutayisire says she continues to ‘pursue education opportunities on online platforms like Coursera” so as to enhance her skills and remain relevant in a rapidly changing job market’.
Rutayisire’s job success traces back to her first year in university. “When I started my university I was very ambitious and wanted to start exercising in my profession so I applied for an internship at RBA, there was no notice for internships but I took a risk and got in. Later on, I joined The New Times after they issued an advert for young writers to join their publishing house and I got in”.
Securing a job has become an exhausting and sometimes endless process. Fresh graduates who have been able to get jobs shared the following tips with fellow graduates and those yet to graduate.
Take risks: Don’t fear reaching out to institutions asking for a job or internship, people in the job market are looking for fearless people, people who take risks, so if you reach out to them it shows your will to work, learn, and prove your capabilities.
Network actively: Actively engaging with industry peers through networking events and professional associations has also been instrumental in my staying updated on emerging trends and best practices. Graduates should attend industry events, workshops, and conferences to meet professionals in their fields. Networking can often lead to job opportunities that may not be advertised publicly, she remarks.
Utilise online platforms: Join professional networking sites like LinkedIn and actively engage with industry professionals. These platforms are valuable resources for job seekers and can help you connect with potential employers.
Ultimately, don’t wait for job opportunities to come to you. Set up job alerts, regularly check job boards, and follow companies you’re interested in on social media to stay updated on potential openings. “I’ve demonstrated flexibility and adaptability in my work, successfully transitioning from traditional to remote work setups and adapting my skill set to meet evolving market demands”, Rutayisire notes.
While it’s not always easy to keep up with the pace of change, Ines says she’s committed to moving with the trends and continuously improving herself to thrive in today’s dynamic job economy and so should all graduates.
