Many students hope for a better life as they transition to the world of careers and working. As it looks, the reality is quite a different narrative.

A good number of graduates struggle to find jobs; they take time to apply and send in their CVs but all in vain. It can be devastating, if not frustrating.

It can get discouraging at times, especially if you had high hopes in getting a job immediately after campus. It’s even worse when your classmates happen to get opportunities whilst for you it’s still hitting rocks.

Though unemployment is a real struggle, it’s paramount to understand that as a graduate, not landing a job of your dreams immediately is not failing. It’s the process that leads to your destiny.

There are plenty of other opportunities to venture in while you chase your dreams.

Volunteer
Giving a hand in an organization that accepts volunteers can be a good start. Visit organizations around you and offer to help in their programmes.

This will help you build your CV and also gain some skills that can aid in your future career.

Adjust your expectations
Most graduates expect to land in jobs that they studied for. Unfortunately, that might not be the case. You might opt to try other avenues and see what life has to offer. Avoid being selective. Just dive into any job that you can find.

Don’t rely only on resumes
Resumes documents what you have done before, and who you are as a person. Looking beyond resumes might also help. Build a portfolio that shows what you do, what you are skilled in or what you are good at.

With this digital era, it’s easy to build a portfolio online. There are free portfolio sites such as Wix, Strikingly and Linktree that can help you with that.

Build skills
Learning new skills will help you cross the bridge safely. You can find free online courses that aligns with what you want to add in your skills bucket.

Network
You should know people who know people. Talking and building relationships with people who are already in the industry helps a lot.

You might need advice from them or any type of assistance. They may also share with you opportunities when they come up.

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The high rate of unemployment has compelled university students to venture into businesses than waiting to be employed.

Unemployment has snatched the hopes of many graduates. It is even worse during this period of the pandemic where companies are laying off employees and the economy doing not so good.

The unemployment rate in Kenya was at 2.98 percent in 2020. This includes those who are ready to work but cannot find jobs, those who lost their jobs and workers for whom there are no jobs because the labor supply in their industry is larger than the number of jobs available.

University students have therefore decided to venture into businesses as they continue with their studies. They have businesses which operate near the campuses. Their target customers being the fellow students.

Food business, video games (Play Station), Mpesa shop and clothes top the list of the businesses owned by these campus students. These businesses thrive highly near universities.

These university students have the fear of graduating and not landing a job. They figure, having a business that will boost their income even after school is a good decision.

They get the capital to start their businesses from the HELB loans which is disbursed every semester. Part of the HELB loan goes to the school fees account and some is sent to the students account as upkeep. The upkeep is what they plough back into the business with hopes of regaining it through profits.

However, sometimes they are encountered with obstacles which draw them back. Most of them run the businesses without licences. This has exposed them to exploitation from city council and even worse, closure of their businesses.

More than 50,000 students graduate every year. Some of the lucky ones land jobs whilst others knock on interview doors in vain till they give up. Job hunting is not an easy task. You either brace yourself for “we need someone with 5 years experience” or “don’t call us, we will call you.”

It’s not once nor twice that we’ve seen graduates standing next to highways with placards written their high academic qualifications, looking for jobs. Also, there are those that end up in careers that are opposite of what they studied.

Such situations can really mess up with the mental health of an individual. The hopelessness can easily sink one into depression.

It is unfortunate to have burned the midnight oil, graduate with first class honours then end up jobless. It is frustrating, if not devastating.

The government should structure a concrete plan for the large number of graduates every year. They should create opportunities for the fresh graduates so as to help reduce the rate of unemployment.

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