The biggest bizarre for most graduates today is what next after wearing that gown, being crowned and given powers to lead. Most people are always scared looking at the day that one will leave the system. The prevalent thought then is that things are difficult out there, that there are no jobs for those that have graduated talk less of those that are about graduating.
In fact, with the big competition in the job market, many are puzzled to compete favorably with those that have undergone quality education. I talk of quality education since today, a degree is no longer automatic qualification for getting the first job. Employers look further to graduates with in-depth knowledge and skills,
leadership roles, extra-curricular activities, and probably from well-known universities. You will notice that during this period of ‘In between Jobs’ (IBJ) many are closer to God; always praying to Him to help out of ones dilemma.
A time for change has come! A change of this mindset. Believing that you are not too young to make a change in this Nation. There are too many opportunities in Kenya but people seem not to see it. So many ideas are in books both academic and non academic. Reading Inspirational books whether fiction or non fiction is key in bringing change. However, Africans and Kenyans in particular are known to lack a reading culture. Our education system is that of “reading to pass examinations” not to acquire knowledge. That is why an English adage says “If you want to hide something from an African hide it in books.” Believe it or not I once left 10K in a newspaper at the front seat and got it later still intact after the vehicle had made a trip fro and to Nairobi.
Just as you have been reading career articles, I read a book, Unleashing the Tremendous Potentials within You, By an author I don’t even know until then. Before that fateful day, I have NEVER read any inspirational book or article since I had always seen those kinds of books as a waste of time. After reading this book, I was shocked to the marrow, I was crying internally because it dawned on me that I have wasted about many years of my life chasing shadows. I never knew there is something called potential and though people knew I have a lot within me, it NEVER occurred to me how to make use of those things.
By carrying out the exercise in the book, I was able to discover there was so much I can do. A new lease of life came upon me and instead of looking into the future with trepidation, it was now with hope. I realized there were so many opportunities but you need to think outside the box to see them. The problems we have around us are enough opportunities waiting to be tapped into. Instead of complaining about all the problems, let us look at how we can provide solutions to them.
Take an example of the ‘IKO Toilets’ as well as mobile toilets in most towns in Kenya. That 10 bob is making somebody richer day by day. In fact this is a business with constant customers. I wonder if there are ‘dry days’ for them. It was an idea that somebody borrowed from South Africa and came to implement it in Kenya. Having seen peoples’ need to relieve themselves around the town and probably do away with the mess of ‘flying toilets’. They started small and have grown big. Probably they did the cleaning and cashier work all by themselves. With time the business grew and they had to employ others to assist them as they expanded to various places. At a point, they stopped going out with the boys, rented an office and started sending their employees out; as it is for every dreamer, there is a point when your dream turns to reality and something too huge for you to handle alone.
I wonder what it would have been if they have sat down indulging in self pity and wondering how their lives will turn out.
I don’t know what you have been thinking up till this moment; all I want you to realize is that there is so much within and around you for you never to complain about unemployment.
A lot of guys are loafing around with nothing to do, don’t you think you can start your own firm from their own challenge. Those pure water sachets that are always nuisance on the streets are golden opportunities for someone to exploit. In some localities, water is a major challenge; don’t you think you have a great business at your disposal if you know of such places?
Think hard enough and you will see so much to do. Other people’s challenges can be your own stepping stone. What you need is an idea and you will see so much to do. When you see an opportunity, take an advantage of it and you will be surprised where it will lead you to.
Enough of complaining about not having jobs to do, see yourself more as a job creator and employer of labour instead of having to spend years out of school still searching for that elusive job.
This is to your success as you lay your hands on that idea NOW!
Thanks for that inspiring article. Im starting to work on my electronic project right away.