DEAR GRADUATE
Dear Graduate,
I’m not sure how you feel but if you’re human like me, you are probably happy, excited and a bit scared. Happy you managed to bag that degree, excited for what future hold and a bit scared because this journey you’re embarking on is new and feels uncomfortable. I have been there, the scared part never goes away really, as you achieve one thing, you’ll set sail to discover new lands; learn to live with this feeling.
Do you have offers lined up for you? Do you know what your next step is? If that’s the case, congrats; I’m so happy for you and honestly, you are lucky.
For some of you who have no idea where to start, don’t worry too much. Things will unfold beautifully, keep your head high and go hard on all that you can do.
Some people will tell you not to celebrate because life in the streets is difficult, personally, I urge you to shout at the top of your lungs because you’ve earned it, you’ve earned the right to be happy for what you just accomplished. Being all sad and gloomy because you have no idea what’s going to happen tomorrow or a year from now is a prison you should break out of; after all, when have we ever been sure of anything?
You have your dreams, you probably already planned how much you should earn from your first job and I pray you get it. If you don’t, however, don’t be disheartened, sometimes things don’t turn out the way we wanted and all we can do is wait.
You will probably have to earn less than you deserve, you may have to volunteer or intern somewhere. They say unpaid internship is slavery, you have two choices; to agree to this and wait or grab opportunity that presents itself and get to work.
The Swahili saying “Mtembea bure si sawa na mkaa bure” should be your mantra as you try to build on those grand visions you have.
Dear Graduate
Be patient!! Some of you will see your friends move fast in life. Soon, they will be in a different tax bracket, hang out in fancy places, more often than not, they will have new friends too; the ones whose economic status resembles that of their own. So, you are going to lose people, learn to live with that, the worst thing you can do to yourself is build resentment. Don’t resent the world, it hasn’t failed you yet, actually, it can’t fail you. Guaranteed, life will throw a lot of curveballs at you, you will be hit hard, fall down but the decision to stand up and march forward is always yours.
You got this, the most difficult life situations haven’t met you yet. Go out there and surprise everyone including yourself.
You’ll figure it out.
