CAREER DEVELOPMENT AND COMPETITIVENESS

A PROJECT FOR THE INTEGRATED MENTAL HEALTH SERVICES -UGANDA (IMHS-UG)

COURTESY

OF

DISHMA CONSULT (ST-YEP)


JACOB WAISWA

DISHMA-IMHS-UG

CONTACT PERSON: JACOB WAISWA
P.O. BOX 8885, KAMPALA-UGANDA
OFFICE PHONE N0: +256-77-4-336277
MOBILE PHONE N0: +256-75-4-980614
EMAIL: waiswajacobo@yahoo.co.uk



INTRODUCTION:

There is a big culture of Ugandans (mainly adventurous young people) looking to living in the capital for better employment opportunities. But to their surprise, life for those -who made it to Kampala turned out to be rough. Many, as a result, soon resorted to substance abuse and range of criminal acts.

That has been the general trend; however, there exists another yet “unique” category of Ugandans -who supported by the educational culture -of going to college or university for better paying job, face a different reality. The scenario now demands more than a university degree.

In spite of the above, parents still hold the dream of “education is all to paradise”. Yet education is more of a pathway than the end of the pathway. In other words, it could best help facilitate decision making about individual and community needs from which one bases to integrate him or herself.

Even if there was an opportunity to work, most young people would wish instant control of the heavens and the earth. Some, for example, would not want to work far away from their location, begin with a low pay job or poor work-life.

According to findings by TMP Worldwide as sourced from Onrec on-line recruitment magazine (11/12/2008), showed that even with the current economy, there are aspects graduates felt they could not compromise on.

52% would not accept a job with poor work life. Only 47 were prepared to work in such work environment due to prevailing market condition. Lower starting salaries would be accepted by 68%, but not by the 31%. And unlike the 66%, 33% say job location mattered in their decision making.

During the time president Museveni was chancellor of Makerere University, the overwhelming load of students graduating every year made him to so often suggest military recruitment as the answer.

Soon after, he argued in favor of science education -as what government would invest in. This (emphasis of science education) still stands up today.

But, then, emphasis of science education met was better said than realistic. The fact remained -that not all could be medical doctors or engineers. The government decision to fund science discipline solely became more of discriminative tool among its own citizens than anything else.

Of late, however, a much fairer gospel came into play -which was the introduction of entrepreneurship education and skills-based training-to help people work successfully around their problems or challenges -without having to blame anybody else or resort to criminality.

Although job creation is, understandably, a respectable proposition, we on the other hand cannot wholly do away with job seeking. Truly, firms continue to seek for employees every year and many job seekers get recruited.

Besides, the reminder would be the fact that the job market is so congested that one must be aware of so many aspects of career development, what attitudes and behaviors to change -whilst tuning him or her self to be competitive.

THE PROBLEM:

Most graduates' dreams end at graduation day followed by a period of depression. In fact, graduation parties are no longer enjoyed, as many choose to skip it rather than waste money on it, and yawn the next day.

They get stuck and fail to make career decisions and about their future. As a result, they lose hope in life, start substance abuse, live reckless lives –from which they could acquire HIV/AIDS and begin acts of crime.

JUSTIFICATION:

As thousands of young people graduate every year, the job market hardly accommodates them. They are either in the complete state of unemployment or underemployment, and so, remain home and become burdens to their families -the basic unit for human and national development.

It would be obvious, therefore, that if families suffer, the nation too suffers -in terms of redundant labor force, drug abuse, other risky behaviors and possible contraction of HIV/AIDS and to nurture a criminally dangerous population.

This must be checked to avoid a socio-economic and socio-cultural or moral structural breakdown -where, for instance, corruption becomes “part of life.” The teaching and counseling on career development, job competitiveness, life skills and livelihood and self-management -could be intensified so that young people in particular and Ugandans in general begin to live meaningful and dignifying lives

GOAL:

Provide a realistic break through against confusion, uncertainty and indecision about career path and future -for the jobseekers, unemployed, underemployed and dissatisfied employees and employers.

To read more about the programme, click here