Last month I was part of the interview panel for certain firm that was looking for ICT specialists, I must confidently say that our generation of graduates is not only prepared for the job market but lack the basic survival skill to make it this tough Uganda!
I met an old friend of mine during festive December holidays and so I had a chance to share a coffee with him. This is one guy who has made it big in the corporate world and makes a salary of over paid about $4,000 dollars per month. Since I don't have permission, I will not mention the company he works for.
While having a drink with him, a lady I know passed by and greeted us, when I greeted back "how are you?" She quickly replied, "I am fine but I need a job...INNOCENT I have seen you post inspiring posts of Facebook , you seem connected, can you please help me get a job.."
Before I could answer, the guy I was with asked her to come and sit with us, and here started the interesting part of the conversation.
My friend asked her, "You are looking for a job?" She replied in the affirmative, "Yes sir" am sure hoping to get good news from this guy... He looked expensive, with the demeanor of a CEO , such that if he asked me, I would have also said a resounding "Yes, I need a job"... .....
He then asked the next question; "what can you do?"... I could see the lady fidgeting in her chair looking for the perfect response... After a few breathes, she said "I have a Bachelor of Business Administration..." I could tell from the expressions on his face that he was not satisfied with her answer.. So he asked again, "I did not ask what you have, I asked, what can you do?, what are you able to do?, what is your skill?" As she was blushing and pushing her hair back, he turned to me and gave a lecturer that left me thinking... And I quote....
"You know what INNOCENT , a number of young people are struggling to find employment because they THINK , just because they have a qualification, then they deserve to be employed. What they don't realise is that, a lot of people have papers, but very few can do the work...
I remember after my graduation most of my course mates enrolled for masters degree because to them getting job was about having papers and I share this post recently landed to one 6 years later at Shoprite with her masters but asking me if there are other opportunities at my work place.....
Just having or rather holding a paper is not enough.. And academic qualification, without real practical skills won't get you anywhere. Look here INNOCENT, do you know that multi-million dollar companies such as Google, Facebook, Apple, Tesla, eben in Uganda etc.. Have stopped employing people based on qualification? They don't mind if you have a degree or not, the question they ask is; " what can you do for us?"
I could tell the lady was following but confused, so she asked; "Sir, I have a BBA, give me an example of a practical skill that I can say I do"... He smiled and replied: " ....I expected you to say something like, I am an expert in strategy and I specialise in strategising for companies in a very competitive market, or, I specialise in Business Innovation and I help organisations launch new products and services... The lady was smiling... but the guy continued. You see INNOCENT, look at Companies even here in Uganda like Airtel, MTN,Top Banks,Total among others and analyse their managers, yes they are qualified, but you will find, they are not promoted based on their qualifications, but based on their skill.
You will find a guy is an Engineering Graduate, but working in the Marketing Department, because he is a good marketer and he is used where his skills, not paper, are needed most. With all these colleges and universities, the time for just "I hold a bachelor in Degree/Masters" is over.. Above the paper, what practical skill do you have."
"INNOCENT," he continued, and coming from a man when makes $4000 dollars per month, I was ready to shut up and listen. "Here is the advise I want you to be posting positive messages that encourages Ugandans to get skills......Currently most Local Luganda FM radio stations Presenters are comedians why because our society has been reduced to laughter as the only way to forget about their problems so graduates with Mass Communication Degrees are deployed in news rooms working for 10k per story yet comedians/celebrities are paid in millions .
Listen-Not everyone can start a business, but everyone can get a skill... Not general skill, but one or two skills they can be good at.....Go Kisekka Market you find a young man who has never been to any Formal institution but is repairing a computerised BMW to the amazement of the owner yet Makerere University Ivory epitome of Knowledge and skills built perimeter wall that didn't last for amonth😂😂😂 You can't just be a mechanic, anyone can do that, but you must be maybe a Germany Vehicle Mechanic, or Diesel Mechanic, or an Electronics Mechanic... If its phone repair become aspecialist last i had network problems with my previous Samsung Notey 4,i went to Transtel who are Samsung Authorised Agents and they told the only solution was to flash the phone,imagine alosing all my documents but i agreed .....guess what nothing changed the guy who repaired the phone is based in the dark room at the basement of Karungi Plaza ......up to now i have recommended several friends to him because the dude is skilled.
Learn something specific and tangible that will make people look for you. You can't have the same music producer producing AfroBeat and Hip Hop and expect him to make a mark.
When someone gets out of school, they should spend the time before getting a job, learning one practical skill.. This can be learned through online specialised courses, mentorship, internship, etc, but by the time you are looking for a job, you must have a skill... With a skill, you can never go wrong. A seriously hands on skill that you can be employed today and you immediately start producing results... Papers are good, but with a whole lot of papers around,Next week Makerere alone is releasing 1000s on the job market to add on the competition of already unemployed youth first the previous years.... it is time for skills.. What can you do?" He concluded...
I didnt even want to add to this however I saw my lady friend leave the table both glad with the new information she had gathered, but sad that she couldn't answer the question: "what can you do?".
