2 Ways To Get Experience As You Continue Looking For A Job

I met a young man last week who needed career advice. Looking at his CV, I was impressed to see that he had been to the University of Nairobi. A University considered being world class. But besides his very impressive educational background, I was so disappointed to see that he had no work experience at all.

This young man had a Bachelors of Commerce (BCOM) and he had cleared university in 2012. I couldn’t help but wonder where he had been all these years. He did not even have Internship experience or any form of voluntary work except an IEBC clerk job. In as much as I would have loved to help him find a job, I was a bit helpless.

I’d like to address anyone who might be like this young man. You graduated from a great University/College but 3 years down the line you still have nothing to show for it.

I know how hard it is to get a job in the Kenyan job market and the rate at which companies are downsizing doesn’t make it any easier. But for heaven’s sake, get yourself busy doing something.

Here are 2 profound ways of getting work experience without necessarily getting an 8-5 job

1.Volunteer

You probably have heard this countless times, but I will emphasize again the importance of volunteering. During my days of unemployment, I remember volunteering with so many start-up companies. Not all companies were willing to give me an opportunity for me to work for them, but I never gave up.

I found two places where I could volunteer. 

I joined the media team of one organization where I would take photographs during their events, and in the other company, I volunteered to be their videographer.

The one thing that stops most people from getting themselves ahead is FEAR. You fear what people will think when you knock their doors to ask for help. You fear to look like a looser. But let me tell you the truth, there is strength in looking for help.  There is strength in agreeing to volunteer. 

This is what being proactive means.

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2. Start your own hustle/business

Get rid of that victim mentality where you are always blaming the government or your circumstances. I know of a gentleman in Thika town who does not have legs, but he has a fruits and vegetables business . This man could have decided to blame his parents for his disability, but instead, he has chosen to use his God-given brains to fend for himself and find something to do.

How much more should you, who are whole and very healthy do? Do you have 5K in your savings account? Start a business, however small . It will grow if you are committed to it.

The truth is that most of you are afraid of doing the dirty jobs. You all want white collar jobs, to be seen that you work in an office. The day you stop caring about what people think about you, is the day doors will open for you. Stay humble.

There’s a young man who was a former student at Kenyatta University. This guy has used his sukuma wiki business to pay his University degree. Today, his business has become so successful that he does not intend to be employed by anyone.

Some of you have such great business ideas, but you are not willing to the take the risk and to put in the work required.

Buy one hen if you have to and start a poultry business. Start a kitchen garden in your shamba in ushago and start earning a living.

Whatever you have to do in order to survive, you must do it.

If you keep waiting for someone to give you a job you might wait forever.

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