I graduated approximately two years ago and there is no greater feeling than wearing that gown surrounded by family and friends who have worked their asses off to see you through it all. Graduation comes with the obvious high expectations of employment. Getting that dream job and practicing what you are most passionate about. Unfortunately for most graduates....the world out here is a lot harsher than we anticipated.
Job hunting is a very trying time. It requires patience and will power to keep pushing even when you feel like you have been pushed to your limits. Its a time when one will contemplate a lot of things...some even illegal just to make that dollar (I have considered some heavy stuff...like poaching..just a one time thing....please do not take me seriously, just saying).
I was lucky to have had a job by the time I graduated but sadly that did not last too long. By the end of that year...the company had gone under and we were left out in the cold. On top of that, we had not been paid for a number of months and it was the festive season.
I was used to taking care of myself. Not having to bother my mum with issues about pocket money. Going back on all that progress and having to ask for money for airtime, leave alone anything major like new shoes....it was hard.
It is hard, waking up in the morning, knowing you have no where to go all day. It is hard knowing your peers are out making money and you have no choice but bum. It gets worse when frustration sets in. There is something about frustration that makes one feel for lack of a better word, useless. You start feeling like you are a burden to everyone else. At this point you are beating yourself up so much, you can longer recgonize yourself in the mirror leave alone your potential. You become a shadow of your once bubbly self.
The sad bit about all these is the culture that has been allowed to thrive in almost all industries. That you cannot simply be employed on your own merit. That you either have to have connections....which is a good thing....but again it locks some people out. That you must be willing to 'toa kitu kidogo'....that you must be willing to drop your pants for the manager for him/her to give you a position that you are fully qualified for.
Worse still is when you finally get that job interviewe to that dream job....or at least that job that could easily lead to your dream job. Interview goes perfectly...and in your heart and mind, you have no doubt that you nailed it. The panel was giving you all the hints that they were impressed....they even insinuate that they will see you soon.
You go back home and you wait for that call that says, "Congratulations, you got the job, please come on this date to sign your contract." That has to be the most nerve racking period of all. Week one goes by with no call. A little voice in your head tells you to let go...move on...but there is another voice that is a bit louder that tells you to be a little more patient...that the call will come. Week two...week three goes by. Reality sets in. They should have called by now and just like that...you are back to square one...frustration and all.
I don't know if this just happened to me but at some point....you take a break from job hunting. You really do not care what opportunity passes you by.....it is a moment to recollect and make sure you are still sane.....that the disappointments have not completely sucked the life out of you. I have to admit...this particular period is quite serene....you are at ease...but just for a little while. The trick is in realizing when to bounce back.....when to get back on the horse after it dropped you head first on the ground.
It is a trying time but I am a strong believer in there being something out there for everyone. You just have to have a little faith while searching for it. It might take a lot longer than you thought and you might break a few glasses out of frustration along the way but giving up is definitely not an option....at least not for me.If plan A does not work..go to plan B....use up all the letters of the alphabet if you have to.
I have heard stories of people who for years had no 'proper' job but eventually they got there. I am not where I want to be yet and am still going through the struggles of job hunting..the long journey to self actualization or something close to that and despite the unbelievable number of disappointments....I am still pushing on.
Every time you want to let go...listen to that little voice that says, "Just a little bit longer"... Trust me, you will get there.
Job hunting is a very trying time. It requires patience and will power to keep pushing even when you feel like you have been pushed to your limits. Its a time when one will contemplate a lot of things...some even illegal just to make that dollar (I have considered some heavy stuff...like poaching..just a one time thing....please do not take me seriously, just saying).
I was lucky to have had a job by the time I graduated but sadly that did not last too long. By the end of that year...the company had gone under and we were left out in the cold. On top of that, we had not been paid for a number of months and it was the festive season.
I was used to taking care of myself. Not having to bother my mum with issues about pocket money. Going back on all that progress and having to ask for money for airtime, leave alone anything major like new shoes....it was hard.
It is hard, waking up in the morning, knowing you have no where to go all day. It is hard knowing your peers are out making money and you have no choice but bum. It gets worse when frustration sets in. There is something about frustration that makes one feel for lack of a better word, useless. You start feeling like you are a burden to everyone else. At this point you are beating yourself up so much, you can longer recgonize yourself in the mirror leave alone your potential. You become a shadow of your once bubbly self.
The sad bit about all these is the culture that has been allowed to thrive in almost all industries. That you cannot simply be employed on your own merit. That you either have to have connections....which is a good thing....but again it locks some people out. That you must be willing to 'toa kitu kidogo'....that you must be willing to drop your pants for the manager for him/her to give you a position that you are fully qualified for.
Worse still is when you finally get that job interviewe to that dream job....or at least that job that could easily lead to your dream job. Interview goes perfectly...and in your heart and mind, you have no doubt that you nailed it. The panel was giving you all the hints that they were impressed....they even insinuate that they will see you soon.
You go back home and you wait for that call that says, "Congratulations, you got the job, please come on this date to sign your contract." That has to be the most nerve racking period of all. Week one goes by with no call. A little voice in your head tells you to let go...move on...but there is another voice that is a bit louder that tells you to be a little more patient...that the call will come. Week two...week three goes by. Reality sets in. They should have called by now and just like that...you are back to square one...frustration and all.
I don't know if this just happened to me but at some point....you take a break from job hunting. You really do not care what opportunity passes you by.....it is a moment to recollect and make sure you are still sane.....that the disappointments have not completely sucked the life out of you. I have to admit...this particular period is quite serene....you are at ease...but just for a little while. The trick is in realizing when to bounce back.....when to get back on the horse after it dropped you head first on the ground.
It is a trying time but I am a strong believer in there being something out there for everyone. You just have to have a little faith while searching for it. It might take a lot longer than you thought and you might break a few glasses out of frustration along the way but giving up is definitely not an option....at least not for me.If plan A does not work..go to plan B....use up all the letters of the alphabet if you have to.
I have heard stories of people who for years had no 'proper' job but eventually they got there. I am not where I want to be yet and am still going through the struggles of job hunting..the long journey to self actualization or something close to that and despite the unbelievable number of disappointments....I am still pushing on.
Every time you want to let go...listen to that little voice that says, "Just a little bit longer"... Trust me, you will get there.
5 comments:
Very true!
& its not easy for anyone to get 'there'
Resonates with most,
The flow of thought is quite good.
You cant actually stop but read to the end.
NICE!
spot on. You have captured it as it is
Said it all
Nice read Sophie!
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