On July 31 ,another set of graduates will complete the 2016/17 mandatory national service programme.
Every year, new set of people join the unemployed graduates in Ghana. According to the World Bank Group report in 2016 , Ghana’s unemployment rate stands at 48%.
Currently,Youth unemployment rate stands around 75%.There’s freeze on public sector employment since August 20,2013.
This situation means that, the unemployment rate in Ghana would triple if care is not taken. When unemployment rate keeps augmenting, it’s a serious threat to national security.
When I completed my national service some years ago, life after what some people call ‘national suffering ‘was not an easy ride. You will face and understand the realities of life. The pressure will emanate from all angles.
The drive for jobs will increase. Some would be lucky to lay hands on immediate jobs, others would keep searching for years. Remember that, finding a job is a job itself.
No matter where you find yourself, don’t worry. There’s hope. After National service,i had the opportunity to attend British Council and Barclays Bank Leadership Program dubbed “Blazing Trails for Fresh Graduates ”
Infact, the workshop changed my world view. I acquired skills which helped me to do things differently, I learned about crafting winning CVs and resumes, understood interview tips, learned about savings and investments and also met great friends who have become family.
After national service, all efforts to finding job proved futile. So, I decided to volunteer, take online courses from Philanthropy University, Coursera and Edx.In doing this, I built formidable networks. I have built strong partnerships and networks, developed skills, acquired knowledge and experience which I wouldn’t have acquired if I got an immediate job after national service.I have had some achievements I never imagined coming my way at this time of my career. I have also discovered my God given gift.
This reminds me of what author Gideon Marcel Commey in his book, #MakingAChange,asserts “Most great people do not intentionally set out to become great. They rather set out to serve people and in the process, become great”
To the national service personnel who are completing this July, I would urge you to consider the following advice :
1. Do not rush to find immediate job. It takes certificate to get to the doorsteps of a good job but it takes the right skills ,experience, technical know and the Grace of God to get that job. Don’t limit yourself to your BSC, BA, B. Ed, HND or DIP. It takes more than just a certificate to find a job. Take your time, learn, read books about the career you want to build and volunteer for organizations to gain experience.The right job will find you. Be patient with yourself. There is no need for unhealthy competitions!
2. Attend capacity building workshops and seminars on Leadership and Entrepreneurship. During our time in the university, I couldn’t get any opportunity to attend leadership seminars and career guidance workshops, I only thought of getting first Class and after school, get a job. I spent most of my time studying towards making grades. In the end, I lacked a lot of skills outside my subject area. It took Blazing Trails and other capacity building workshops to unearth my true self.
You will find most of these free events on www.eventbrite.com.Learn, unlearn and relearn so that, you can develop and reposition yourself to capture every opportunity that comes your way.Learn how to craft winning CVs and resumes.
When you attend capacity building workshops and events , don’t feel shy to approach people who are already doing well in their profession. Build strong networks with them. Your network will determine your net worth. Surround yourself with people who will push you to achieving your goals. Also, apply for international opportunities like conferences, fellowships and summits. These will help you to increase your knowledge base and also broaden your international networks.I urge you not to only use social media for fun. There are strong networking opportunities on Facebook and LinkedIn. If you are not on LinkedIn,sign up and build your profile. Avoid sharing pornographic links and other unnecessary stuffs on your social media handles. I have seen so many people who have gotten jobs and business partners through social media. Moreover, I have seen some people whose jobs and visa applications have been turned down due to the content they produce on their social media timelines.Be aware that, these days, employers check the social media profiles of applicants.
3. Find a mentor if you don’t have one. Mentorship and guidance is a very special opportunity that every fresh graduate should look for. A dream without a sense of direction and guidance is irrelevant. I have come across a lot of people who have shaped my life and given me great advices, support and training. My mentors have been very pivotal in whatever I have achieved and aspire to become. Research shows that, start-ups who get mentors in their entrepreneurship and leadership journey become very successful and
pass the scalability test unlike the others who had none.
4.Start small, start local and think global.
I have a friend who got a job which was paying him 830ghc after national service .This friend lives a luxurious life, so he told me that, he didn’t want to go for that job looking at his qualification and skills. I advised him to go for it and build himself for a big portfolio in that company or get poached by other companies because I knew his capabilities.
He listened to my advice. Today, he works with a big oil firm in Ghana.
My advice is that, If you are offered a job after national service, don’t quit,money is not everything. As a fresh graduate you need more skills than money. Your skills will translate into money if you don’t quit. Learn a new skill, you can try programming,beadmaking,fashion design, coding, graphic design etc..
If you want to start a business, don’t compete with the big boys, find a niche and work towards becoming an industry leader in that aspect. Don’t rush to become ‘Kwame Despite’ overnight. You need to build that business step by step. You will surely get there.
4.Don’t depend too much on government. If you depend too much on government jobs, you may get disappointed. I thought I would get posted by government right after service but unfortunately, I was disappointed. Start thinking about getting a small startup for now.
Also, If you are lucky to get a good job, don’t expect a single income stream. Invest your salary in other businesses. It will help you.
5.Cultivate the habit of saving. It is always good to become financially stable. As a fresh graduate, don’t be moved with luxury. Spend after savings. Cut down your expenditure and use the rest to make investment. Don’t spend too much on designer clothes ,shoes and smart phones as a fresh graduate. Two months after national service, you may regret for not saving at least 50ghc every month during the National service period. I’m aware that, every service person would take home 1000ghc + at the end of July because ,August is a bonus. Don’t waste that money. Invest into something sustainable. Don’t think it’s too small to start something. Every CEDI counts.
6.Depend on God. We need God in everything we do. In all things ,don’t lean on your own understanding but acknowledge the Lord and He will help you. Some of you may have a promising start but trust me, without God, you won’t stand the test of time. So I urge you to let God be the fulcrum.
Don’t let unemployment or a good job after service make you forget your God. Keep praying to Him. He is the doer of everything. In His time,He makes all things beautiful.
I wish you all the best in your endeavours as you come face to face with reality.
Kenneth Gyamerah ©