“Employers Need To Stop Applying People on ‘Kujuana’ Basis,” Graduate Speaks Out

It was one of those topics that young Kenyans looking for employment felt the need to speak out about. ‘Half Baked Graduates’ was the debate last Monday and after receiving a lot of comments on the issue, one Grace Kibe brought out an issue which she thinks is what stands between her and getting her first job after campus. She wrote that,“I am a recent graduate and though I have not yet found a job I believe I will get one because God lives. My take on the issue (half baked graduates) is that employers first need not to employ people through `kujuana`. Networking is good but still they need to have healthy networks where you do can a bit of the background of the graduates which you can check through many ways. She went on to agree that,“Some of the graduates yes are half baked with reasons that we have some students who are lazy to attend classes while in campus.They will wait to copy paste their assignment from their fellow college mates, who will buy their projects and such. She added that, “On the other hand we have those who attend classes, do their assignment, struggle to do their projects, become members of active associations and groups and even hold certain leadership position and the likes. “Students need to learn what the labor market is all about and this is what is costing many students who are in college and have the mentality that jobs are found through `kujuana` …….which is not true,” she advices. She says, “We all have a role to play , employers too have to let prospective employees know what you expect from them right from what they are doing in college. Lecturers too. You will not be happy to hear that your students are half baked. Same as parents when they learn that their sons or daughters cannot perform while they have sacrificed to educate them. She adds that, “Employers too what will they gain where in future they realize they cannot get productive employees? For students she says, “Remember that this is your future and when everyone else have done their part it is you to lose or gain. We need a productive nation and we all have a part to play.” And her parting shot? My advice to graduates is after college don`t ignore those internships and volunteer works out there. They do you good as they strengthen your career development if not your CV. What do you think about Ms Kibe’s sentiments ?