Job hunting, Job on its own!

You have finally got that qualification. Yippee! Congratulations, job well done.

Now reality kicks in, most graduates' (let’s not forget that even a Matric certificate is a qualification) nightmare, JOB HUNTING! We put so many years trying to better ourselves so that we can have a bright future to help our loved ones, to build a legacy for the next generation, but what happens when you've put all these years, you get that nice wrapped paper and yet you go sit at home? Our parents and families have sacrificed so much for us to go and get those belts, wear those black gowns.

Are we fully equipped for the job that follows after graduating (Job hunting)? Are our high schools and tertiary institutions doing enough to help graduates get jobs? Or their job is done when we get the qualifications? Are our private companies and government doing enough or are there just too many of us graduates/job seekers? In 2015 South Africa’s unemployment rate was 25.16% and today we are at 30.1 %, which is almost a 5% increase in 5 years. Are we going to see a decline or we must expect it to go up? What must be done? Who must do what? Is it possible for the supply to be equal to the demand (equilibrium)?

Do we study these professions because we love them or is it because there is a gap for that particular profession? Are we to blame because we study to just wear the gown or there are just too many graduates and no jobs? Is our education and labour department failing us? Are we doing enough to help one another?

I always ask myself why do we have so many relationship programs and on TV but only a few about jobs or careers? I know we have all these #s(hashtags) on social media but do they trend enough? Also, let's be honest someone in the rural areas of Limpopo or Eastern Cape can't afford data 0r doesn't even have access to free Wi-Fi. I personally think we need we need programs like 'Hire me' or 'Get me a job' something along those lines. Our brothers and sisters holding big qualifications are stuck in positions they hate or didn’t even study for, these people went to school and worked hard trying to avoid such positions. Most graduates end up taking any job just to put food on the table, some end up depressed or even committing suicide, sometimes actually most times society also put pressure on job seekers, you hear someone saying "look at him/her, he/she is a graduate but he/she is home, ke mahlelela" or someone close to you asking questions like "do you apply though, ?" the recent one is “why don’t you start a business” believe me if starting a business was that easy all of us will be doing it, job seekers don't need to hear such.

Next time you see a car guard/security guard/cleaner/street vendor or even prostitute please don't judge, do not belittle them, that person might be holding a Ph.D. or not, but never the less show respect (it's called humanity). Let us support one another where we can stop patronizing each other hustles. We are all trying to put food on the table, we are all fighting our own demons.

#HireAGraduate #NeverGiveUp #PrayHarder