June Graduation season in Kenya

The month of June is the season for mid year graduations in Kenya. From public to private universities, there is joy and celebration for parents and relatives of the graduands attending graduation ceremonies.

Graduation is a grand day for any person receiving the prestigious award. On the graduation day parents, friends and families of these graduates travel from all corners of the country and the region to witness the occasion.

The graduands adorn their academic attire and walk with pride, savoring each moment, reminiscing burning the midnight oil, revising for the exams, writing the reports and assignments. The hopes of the graduands are at the roof top, sensing the excitement in the air.

Many a times, the people watching the graduands are full of admiration and envy simultaneously. Interestingly, the envious ones wish they would be graduating on this day. Even more, there is that student who is yet to graduate, watching with envy that one day their day will come. The portion of people watching with admiration are those, perhaps, those who could not get a chance to study in the University owing to challenges best known to them...

As the graduands gather in the graduation arena, they excitedly reunite with their classmates, catching up on their progress in their lives after campus

When the Chancellor confers their degrees, then the reality dawns on all the graduands, .....THIS IS IT!! We are now GRADUATES !!!

Reality check 

Unknown to the graduates is the reality that outside the confines of the University, each graduate must work their way to develop their country. This would include each graduate creating jobs in the job market, not necessarily expecting to be employed right away. Currently in Kenya, each university  awards certificates and degrees to thousands of high spirited graduates, who expect to get a job, but often their high hopes are deflated by the reality of unemployment

My two cents of wisdom?.....There are no jobs. but there is alot of work......
Dear graduates, manage your hopes and expectations, as you walk through the path of life, don't forget to smell the flowers. This means that even if you have graduated, try to obtain more skills to boost the quality of your current degree. Use your God given talents to make money, use your time constructively, attend short courses like management, leadership, public policy, register yourself in a professional body in line with your degree, interact and network. You will be surprised that some job vacancies are never advertised, but are granted to trusted friends and acquaintances.

Speaking at a past graduation ceremony

As you proceed with life after graduation, don't forget to assist your parents, even as you succeed in your career. Visit your parents, spend time with them, appreciate the efforts they have made to help you be where you are today.

Above all, make a difference in somebody's life, use your knowledge to benefit the society. Finally,
I wish you all the best in your endeavors and exploits in life

CONGRATULATIONS