bukoba boy
JF-Expert Member
- Jan 15, 2015
- 5,376
- 3,977
In 2015 I was invited by a group of final year students, then due to graduate from institutions of higher learning from the Dodoma area, to address them on their future prospects. Among other things, I advised them, as I advise you now, that self employment is as noble or even more noble than salaried employment. I once met an enterprising former student of mine during an event. Our conversation went as follows:
Student: Sir you seem to have forgotten me.
Me: Kindly remind me where we met.
Student: You taught me Control Systems Engineering during my 4 year in the Department of Electrical Engineering at the University of Dar es Salaam in the late 90s.
Me: Great. I am pleased to meet you. What are you doing these days?
Student: Sir, you remember, towards the end of each class and by way of digression, you used to offer advice to the class about what to expect in real life after University. In one such a conversation you advised us not to expect salaried employment because opportunities were becoming scarce. You advised us to consider self employment. I took your advice seriously. Upon completion of my studies I registered an electrical engineering company. After a bumpy start, I am pleased to inform you that my firm is doing well. I now employ close to 50 people. I always thank you for the advice.
I am proud of my student and I have always quoted this example when I talk to groups of students such as those gathered here today. This is, however, one side of the story. In order to prepare for service to nation and society, students at all levels may wish to consider the following advice:
1. Follow trends in the economy by reading widely. Develop a habit of reading widely about the trend of the national, regional and global economy. In this respect Central Bank regular reports and national, regional, and international media, available online, could be very useful.
2. Be on the lookout for characteristics of the labour market. These can be obtained from the Ministry of Labour and Bureau of Statistics information,and vacancy announcements in the media, employment platforms,and the social media.
3. Develop interest in mathematics and science subjects. These subjects are a foundation to success in science, engineering, technology, medicine, business studies, economics, and social sciences.
4. Be conversant and fluent in swahili and english. Communication is key to success in business and employment. A starting point in employment is an interview. Command of the language can be an advantage. Furthermore, as the use of swahili begins to expand as more than 120 million people speak swahili, more swahili teachers are being sought in the region and afar. Besides, Swahili is now an official language of the African Union and will soon become one of the official languages of the East African Community.
5. Learn an extra language among the following; French, Spanish, Russian, and chinese (Mandarin). To succeed in employment in the regional and international job market, knowledge of a language other than swahili and english is an added advantage.
6. Be aggressive and seek employment opportunities in the region, and abroad as do Kenyans, Ugandans, Ghanaians and Nigerians. It is a rare occurrence to meet a Tanzanian working in international business or in regional or multilateral agencies. We recently met a Tanzanian employee of Emirates. Asked as to how many Tanzanians were employed in the airline, about 15 was the answer. As for Kenya, the answer was, well over 100. Emirates has more than 50,000 from 160 countries.
7. Initially do not be rigid in your choice of employment. A career path may require a transition. A transition may be a springboard to a new career, further training, or a career of your choice.
8. Form peer groups to exchange information, views, and experiences. Compared to many of us, millennials are good at embracing new thoughts, new ideas and new technologies.
9. Make use of microfinancing and venture capital opportunities available from financial institutions and government. Search for information on such opportunities.
10. Develop interest in business studies, business innovation and business startups.
Student: Sir you seem to have forgotten me.
Me: Kindly remind me where we met.
Student: You taught me Control Systems Engineering during my 4 year in the Department of Electrical Engineering at the University of Dar es Salaam in the late 90s.
Me: Great. I am pleased to meet you. What are you doing these days?
Student: Sir, you remember, towards the end of each class and by way of digression, you used to offer advice to the class about what to expect in real life after University. In one such a conversation you advised us not to expect salaried employment because opportunities were becoming scarce. You advised us to consider self employment. I took your advice seriously. Upon completion of my studies I registered an electrical engineering company. After a bumpy start, I am pleased to inform you that my firm is doing well. I now employ close to 50 people. I always thank you for the advice.
I am proud of my student and I have always quoted this example when I talk to groups of students such as those gathered here today. This is, however, one side of the story. In order to prepare for service to nation and society, students at all levels may wish to consider the following advice:
1. Follow trends in the economy by reading widely. Develop a habit of reading widely about the trend of the national, regional and global economy. In this respect Central Bank regular reports and national, regional, and international media, available online, could be very useful.
2. Be on the lookout for characteristics of the labour market. These can be obtained from the Ministry of Labour and Bureau of Statistics information,and vacancy announcements in the media, employment platforms,and the social media.
3. Develop interest in mathematics and science subjects. These subjects are a foundation to success in science, engineering, technology, medicine, business studies, economics, and social sciences.
4. Be conversant and fluent in swahili and english. Communication is key to success in business and employment. A starting point in employment is an interview. Command of the language can be an advantage. Furthermore, as the use of swahili begins to expand as more than 120 million people speak swahili, more swahili teachers are being sought in the region and afar. Besides, Swahili is now an official language of the African Union and will soon become one of the official languages of the East African Community.
5. Learn an extra language among the following; French, Spanish, Russian, and chinese (Mandarin). To succeed in employment in the regional and international job market, knowledge of a language other than swahili and english is an added advantage.
6. Be aggressive and seek employment opportunities in the region, and abroad as do Kenyans, Ugandans, Ghanaians and Nigerians. It is a rare occurrence to meet a Tanzanian working in international business or in regional or multilateral agencies. We recently met a Tanzanian employee of Emirates. Asked as to how many Tanzanians were employed in the airline, about 15 was the answer. As for Kenya, the answer was, well over 100. Emirates has more than 50,000 from 160 countries.
7. Initially do not be rigid in your choice of employment. A career path may require a transition. A transition may be a springboard to a new career, further training, or a career of your choice.
8. Form peer groups to exchange information, views, and experiences. Compared to many of us, millennials are good at embracing new thoughts, new ideas and new technologies.
9. Make use of microfinancing and venture capital opportunities available from financial institutions and government. Search for information on such opportunities.
10. Develop interest in business studies, business innovation and business startups.