"The unemployment rate in the country amongst the youth is now a whopping 49%. With numerous graduates being produced every year — if not every month, by the higher institutions in the country, one would wonder what these young graduates would be doing to earn a living. The government has made it known that the first degree is no longer competitive in the labour market." Those were the sounds coming from the television as John and his dad sat in the sitting room watching the 7:00 pm news.
"Son, I have told you this earlier, the country is very hard, even the white collar job is nowhere to be found, you just have to buckle up and start thinking of how life after school would be. It has been three years since Emma, your elder brother, finished university and he is still running around looking for a job. You know I won't be here forever.." John's dad interrupted the news, as he faced him.
Growing up, John has often seen how hard it is for his dad to put food on the table for the family, as a mere trader. The phrase 'to be a man is not a day job', is now an anthem in the house. "Dad, I have heard all these times without numbers. I have been working hard from my own end and I just pray my plans work out before I graduate from the university." He replied to his dad while leaving the room.
With the situation in the country, and also how obvious his relatives — especially his dad, has made it look, growing up to be a man is John's greatest fear. He is worried and scared of ending up like his brother, Emma — who finished school and has been unable to secure a good paying job, with his family literally depending on his father for a living.
Since entering the final year of his studies, John has been having sleepless nights about how he would become independent after graduation. He has maintained a good grade all these while. However, knowing that a lot first class students are out there yet to get a job, makes him see his grade as nothing.
Two months into the second semester of the final academic session, a poster was posted on the final year whatsApp group of the department, calling for interested final year students to apply for a three month internship in one of the oil companies in the state. A lot indicated interest, but the price tag of #23,000 for the registration form discouraged most of them from completing their application. However, John used the money he was to use for his final year week, in making the payment.
The final year week is an academic free week for the final year students. The week is often filled with activities, ranging from sports to carnivals, parties and dinner. There's this special feeling that comes with this celebration. It is highly valued by all students because of the joy of leaving the school in a few months time.
Seeing his mates having fun during the final year week was more of being the poorest among them all, as it looked like he was the only one that couldn't pay for it. As a result we didn't take part in any of the activities. It was painful for him but everything became normal by the next week — after everything was done, their exams were around the corner.
Few days after his last exam, John got an email regarding his application, requesting him to resume the internship in the coming week. On completion, a certificate was offered to John. Also, for being an outstanding intern during the period of the internship, a job offer was offered to him, but on the basis that he must graduate with at least a second class upper grade.
