Transitioning From University To The “Real World”- Job Satisfaction for Millennials

Leaving University and trying to figure out what comes next is one of the biggest transitions we face.  The schedule we became all too familiar with no longer exists. No more class timetable, exam timetable…nothing is planned out for us anymore.

Being thrown into the “real world” can be a very unsettling and scary feeling, to be honest. It certainly doesn’t help when we apply for graduate jobs, and requirements include 3-5 years’ work experience. Uhm…I’ve just come OUT of Uni, looking for a graduate job, but you’re now telling me I need 3 years experience?! How does that work?

Then when we finally do find a job, it’s very likely that it’s not in our preferred field but it MIGHT pay well. So do you stay because of financial stability or leave to follow your passion?

Not to mention the stress of wanting to earn good money to help give back to parents for their financial support towards our education, but also wanting to be financially secureand not having to ask for an allowance. As well as wanting to have a space of your own, because you’ve gotten used to living away from home… if you move back in with your family or parents does that mean you’re not a success?

 

The stress is REAL.

The thing is, we tend to forget that we are still in our 20’s. Listen, if you don’t like a job, it’s not bringing you joy, you feel like it’s not for you, why stay? All of us want to be happy in our careers right?

If not happy, at least one should be content and satisfied with the role and contributions to that role, right?

I mean generally speaking, we have no family commitment – no kids, not married yet… Why not explore and go after what we really want?

If we don’t make these choices and changes now, exploring our options, when else will we have the opportunity to do so?

I was in a job where initially, I enjoyed the tasks and the overall experience, but as time went on, I started to feel massively underappreciated. I seldom felt that my work was appreciated. Even when I did my best, it was often criticized – but it was rarely constructive criticism.

I do tend to be very easy going, and bubbly, but that was changing. Every time my phone went off, I got anxious as I anticipated that it would be bad news. “What are they going to say now?” “What have I done wrong?”

Having moved on from that situation, I am grateful for the new skills I picked up. However, I am much happier – I sleep better, I am no longer anxious when my phone rings or when I see an email notification.

I am in no rush to get into just any sort of employment. I am determined to find what’s best for me, and in the meantime, I will continue to build up my blog. I have always loved writing, as it has always been one of the best ways I can express myself freely.

Travelling Alone in Your 20’s

I love to travel, the thing is… I hate flying.

I am petrified of take offs, landings, and everything in between. I am not entirely sure what brought this fear on, because when I was younger, I couldn’t get enough of it.

Is it because I’ve gotten older, and learnt more about the world, and how things work? Is fear learnt?

Anyway, maybe part of the problem is a majority of the time that I fly, I do so alone. However, thinking about it now, when I fly with mum, she has complained (a little too often) of her arms going numb…guess I hold on to her a bit too tight.

That aside, why do we tend to be hesitant when it comes to doing various activities alone? It can be as small as going to the cinema alone, to travelling alone.

I do think that I would be open to travelling and seeing the world alone. Doing something like that would definitely put me waaaay outside of my comfort zone, but what’s life without adventure?

Just imagine it, making your way through various countries, taking in majestic scenes, creating unforgettable memories.

When else in your life would you be able to thoroughly enjoy an experience such as this? At this stage in your life, you’ve probably just graduated from University, but are not sure if you want to go into a full -time job yet. Why not go travelling, see the world, and explore different cultures before settling down into your new “adult” life?

Here are a few reasons why travelling alone in your 20’s is super ideal:

• I-N-D-E-P-E-N-D-E-N-C-E
  You can literally pack your things and go explore! Not trying to sound too cliché but honestly it is such a great way to find yourself. Discover your strengths, weaknesses, pick up new skills, learn a new language even!
• Think of the stories you’ll have to tell?! Just like with your parents, you too can have some “back in my day…” tales to tell your kids.
• If you are shy when meeting new people and striking up conversations (like me) this is a great way to practice your social skills. Drawing you outside your comfort zone, and socializing with different people from different cultures.
• For some of you that could do with money management. This is a great opportunity to learn how to budget your money.

The world is a big place. I challenge you to see more of it!

Young West African Driver

For those of us who live in Africa, the legal driving age is 18, but it’s not unheard of to have friends using their parents’ car and taking off at 15/16.

My mum made it clear that no child of her’s will participate in underage driving, and just because I had friends that could drive in year 11 didn’t mean that I should be doing the same. I would have to wait until I was 18.

Well, I am 23 now and only getting the hang of it, despite having a driver’s license from Kenya, Ghana and now – Sierra Leone.

Let me explain.

I turned 18 in January 2012, and started my driving lessons just after my A levels in Kenya. A few months later, I completed said classes, and got my driver’s license. However, less than a month later we had to relocate to Ghana.

The thing is in Kenya, we drive on the left, whereas Ghana, it’s the right. No biggie I thought, I’ll just go through driving school again as a refresher and to gain confidence in driving on the other side of the road.

I didn’t get to do this until 2016! Because I moved to England for Uni a few months after we arrived in Ghana. In any case, I started my lessons in late January and by March I had passed my theory and practical exams. However, by July, we had moved back to Sierra Leone, which is where I am now. Taking my time to get the hang of things.

In Kenya, I had often heard “If you can drive in Kenya, you can drive anywhere”. This is because of one major reason –matatus aka poda podas aka tro tros aka mini vans. They go by different names in different countries, but one thing doesn’t change – they are a nuisance.

Having lived in Sierra Leone for just under a year, I now feel that if you can drive in Sierra Leone, you can drive anywhere. Not only do we have unruly drivers in poda podas, we also have pedestrians walking in the middle of the road (exhibit A Eastern-Kissy Road), okadas/boda bodas (motorbikes), keh kehs, as well as an odd stray dog running across the road from time to time.

I have been driving for a few months now and *TOUCH WOOD* I haven’t had any incidents with either of the above. So, I guess it’s safe to say I’m on my way to being an expert driver… I mean, before you know it, I’ll be driving with one hand, my seat pushed all the way back, cruising the streets of Freetown!

What age did you start to drive and what are some of your driving experiences? Let me know in the comment section below!

Photo Courtesy of Larry Tucker #Ronnie’sPhotography

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Sierra Leone – The Pictures You Don’t See

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What is the first thing that comes to your mind when you hear “Sierra Leone”?

Do you picture the pristine clear water and sandy white beaches at River Number 2? (I have a bucket list to visit all the beaches Sierra Leone has to offer, but this is my favourite one yet!)
What about the creativity and originality that is Big Market? Or how about the hidden gem Tacugama Chimpanzee Sanctuary in the village of Regent?

Sierra Leone is a country with a whole lot of potential, with resources just waiting to be tapped into.

The youth recognize this, and are constantly rising up and taking chances to explore their talents, bringing light and recognition to their country in the process. They are achieving this by taking on “non-traditional” routes such as photography, fashion, and music just to name a few.

• Empress Pee is a young up and coming female MC- https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=io37XOUmqBo
• Simche Lansana aka Prodigy- https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8WXsAmC5Bf8 a recent law graduate, a talented musician, whose passion for music is undeniable.
• Larry Tucker, a mass communications graduate with a love for photography.
• Kelvin Doe a young passionate innovator.
• Ramona Sankoh, founder and creator of MONAJ the list goes on and on.

When you hear that young people are the future, and that the future of our nation is in our hands, it is so true!

For those of you who have never been to Sierra Leone, or those of you who are Sierra Leonean but don’t live here anymore and are missing home, enjoy the pictures below of the Sierra Leone you seldom hear about or see.

Pictures courtesy of Larry Tucker– @Ronnie’sPhotography

Enjoy!

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13 Experiences Of Being An African Child – Parents Edition

1. Calling you from upstairs to pass phone/remote that’s 2 inches away from them.
2. Showing them a joke and being lectured about it

 

3. Showing them a funny tweet and being asked how you know that person

 

4. Being told not to drink that particular juice/soda because it’s for guests

 

5. Misbehaving when you were younger, being given THAT look and knowing exactly what it meant

 

6. No such thing as sleepover. “You have your own bed”
7. “In my days I was always number one in class”

 

8. “In my days I used to walk to school”
9. Buying school uniform that’s 3 sizes too big and being told you’ll grow into it.
10. Ask a ‘silly’ question, don’t be shocked at the response.
    Me: Mum where should I put your phone?Mum: Put it on my head.

 

11. Me: Mum can we eat out today
    Mum: There is rice at home
    Me: But I don’t want rice
    Mum: Then you are not hungry
12. Going to restaurants/parks and there is a deal for children under 10. Guess what? No matter how old you are, that day…YOU ARE 10 YEARS OLD.
13. Having guests come over, and being told to clean your room. But… they’re not coming.to.see.my.room???

Dating and Marriage – Views from an African Household

Do you guys remember being 16 back in High School when your parents would lecture you about boys, girls, dating and how we should ’face your books’? or if you ever did date, or like someone, they would ALWAYS refer to them as ‘your little friend’?

I remember.

My mum was open to speaking to me about dating and liking boys. However, she always told me to focus on the bigger picture (my education) as there was a time for everything.

Well, seems like now is the time to get questioned about my love life. No really! It’s so awkward going to family functions, meeting aunties you don’t even remember and having them question you- ‘Where is the boyfriend?’ ‘When is the wedding?’- At a function a while ago, a lady told me that at my age she was married with one child, and I should act fast. Reason being, when I get married at this age, I will be able to tolerate a lot more, than when I get older.

Pause… I am 23 years old, and I’m still trying to figure out my life first. I explained that ideally, I would like to at least obtain a Masters and a steady job with a steady follow of income, before I even start to think about getting married. That was followed up by men don’t like it when women are strong, they will be put off bla bla. And I thought, well maybe if he’s put off by my qualifications, and my drive to be better then maybe, just maybe he’s not the one for me? #justsayin

Then there is the matchmaking! Lord! I cannot tell you how many times this has happened. I am still not 100% sure on how I feel about this, but one thing is for sure – It’s never ever discrete! and what do you do if the other person isn’t your type? So awkward. I guess it all comes with age, and finally being seen as an adult. Which is what we’ve always wanted right?

But you know what’s funny? WE had the same plans when we were younger! Listen, how many of you had said when you were at least 25 you’d be married with one kid? Granted we were at least 10 then, and thought that being in our 20s meant we would be older and wiser. The thing is, I don’t feel like using timelines especially in this case, is particularly helpful. When it happens it happens.

Anyway, on a more serious note, if there are any family friends, acquaintances and so on reading this, with cute, single sons HOLLA!

My University Experience

July 2017 will make it 2 years since I graduated.

I went to university at 18. Typical age for most people but looking back, I was such a child!

Inexperienced in the ways of the world but I had to adjust, and fast.

I had to open a bank account, set up direct debits. Register with a dentist and a GP. Which meant that I would have to go to doctor’s appointments alone. Which meant that when they asked “what brings you here today?” I can’t look at mum to answer for me.

Life was coming at me… fast.

I knew how to cook, and clean but now I had to do it every day, for myself. If I didn’t cook I didn’t eat.

Then I discovered take away… better yet “Just Eat”. For those unfamiliar, Just Eat is a website that offers a wide variety of food from various restaurants- Chinese to Italian and everything in between. You sign up, select your preference of food for the day, make your order to the restaurant online via Just Eat and either pay online or upon delivery, and wait (im)patiently for your precious order to be delivered to your doorstep.

Needless to say, when it came to spending, 90% of my money was used on food. Which could be worse right? If you ask me there are worse ways to spend your money.

University is such an experience. Everyone from your teachers to your friends tell you how different it is from High School and whether you pass or fail is entirely up to you. You have to make an effort in class as at least 80% of the work is done by you. You have to seek your own interest.  If you decide  not to do your required reading, or go to class then you cannot complain when you fall behind, or when a lecturer is unwilling to help because it’s likely they’ve noticed your lack of effort. It was always a sight to see when students would start turning up to classes and practicals close to exam season. Like were ya’ll in hibernation before or?

Time management is such a valuable skill and I wish I had picked up on this earlier on in my first year. In third year, I decided I was going to treat my education like it was a 9-5 job.  As you may or may not know, your timetable becomes significantly less full of classes as the years go by. Which means that you may have had classes everyday 9am-4pm in first year, to having 3 classes per week in your last year.

This was my reality.

Opting not to get too comfortable with all my free time, I would be in the library from 9-5 doing required reading for upcoming lectures, working on assignments and my dissertation as well as going to my classes in between.

Another reality…being an international student.
First of all, the amount of money that we pay is about triple that of Home/EU students. In addition, all international students had to “check in” at the beginning of every term with the international student team, where they check your passport, student visa, attendance and so on.

The international student community at my Uni wasn’t bad at all. There were a mix of African students from Uganda, Sierra Leone, Kenya, Ghana, and Nigeria just to name a few. And yes…there were heated debates about whose Jollof is better.

The Asian student population was one of the biggest and I had a memorable encounter with some Pakistani boys in my first year. My Spanish roommate knew them and they invited us all out for drinks.  During a random conversation, one boy asks me where I’m from… if you’ve read my previous post you’ll know that this isn’t a particularly straight forward answer. So to keep things short, I said Sierra Leone. This boy went on to ask me why I spoke English so well since it wasn’t my first language????? I was triggered because it was not the first time that, that had happened.

Knowledge about other cultures, especially African cultures and colonisation is lacking. But I’m happy to say that, that will be the last time that boy asks anyone such a useless question.

All in all my university experience was full of ups and downs. I have made some great friends who I still stay in touch with now despite the distance (we thank God for Skype and Whatsapp).

There were many times when I wanted to give up but I am so glad I didn’t.  I’m grateful for the support from my parents, friends and some of the most amazing teachers including my supervisor.

Your Uni experience is what you make it. It will not always be easy, but be sure to surround yourself with genuine friends, look out for each other, stay focused on your goals and why you’re there. You’ll be just fine.

Too Foreign For Home, Too Foreign For Here

Things on my mind today… being a foreigner in your own country.

Let me explain. I am Sierra Leonean, born in Freetown, Sierra Leone. My family and I had to leave in the 90s to escape the Civil War. Thus, starting my journey of being a foreigner in more ways than one.

Moved to Kenya in 1999 and we lived there up until relocating to Ghana in July 2012. I will never forget the day I had to leave the one place I had known to be my home for the past 12 years, leaving all my friends behind.
My family lived in Ghana for about 4 years, but I was there for probably 8 months in total during that time span. This is because – you guessed it, I moved yet again. This time for University. I was accepted into a University in England to study my Bachelor degree, and was there for three years.

After graduating, I re-joined my family in Ghana and not long after, we relocated to Sierra Leone.
Now, I know I cannot be the only one that has gone through something similar. It can be hard to cope sometimes.

In Kenya, although I was young, integration was not a smooth ride, as it was a completely different environment – different language, weather, and culture. However, because I was fairly young, I was able to absorb the culture by learning local languages like Kiswahili and Kikuyu that I still speak today.
In Ghana, as much as we were still in West Africa, we were still treated like ‘opotos’. From being charged triple the amount a local would pay in hospitals, undergoing strict regulations to obtain work permits, and so on…which was super weird. Did ECOWAS mean nothing here?
In England, I had a mixture of friends, but a majority of them were West Africans just like me, but they had been born there. There were a lot of things we could relate to, and a lot that we could not. For instance, the fact that if they woke up one day and wanted to fly to Paris, they could. But for me… I would have had to have applied for a Schengen visa at least 3 months in advance!
Interestingly enough, having gone through this experience it was intriguing to see the many similarities shared between Africans. There were glaring differences though, especially when it came to language.

Funny story, I was about six or seven years old, in Kenya. Learning Kiswahili at that stage in primary school was mandatory, and I was just starting to get the hang of it. One day in particular, I remember feeling super pleased with myself and a new word I had learned… I could not wait to share it with my mum. So, I approach her and I remember saying “Mum, where is my kaka?” BIG mistake.
Now, looking at this from a Kiswahili point of view, there is nothing wrong with this sentence whatsoever, because kaka means brother. However, my mum – a Sierra Leonean, who speaks Krio did not see it that way at all. You guys know why, and her reaction will not surprise you at all. She proceeded to shout ‘oos kaka?! oos kine nonsense this?! You nor no wetin you dae tok bot ehn?!” Turns out, “kaka” is also a word in Krio, and it means p**p! Literally, number 2! So, my efforts at being multilingual flopped that day, and I was careful not to ever mention it again in my mother’s presence.

I tend to get asked this question a lot ‘Where is home for you?’ The answer is simple. I honestly, do not know. Yes, I was born in Sierra Leone, to Sierra Leonean parents, so I am a Sierra Leonean, but I didn’t grow up here. On the other hand, I am not Kenyan, but I grew up there…

I guess you could say, I am a citizen of the world. Ha!

Sierra Leone Independence – My Country at 56

April 27^th 2017.

Another year. Another Independence Day. Sierra Leone is now fifty six. 56 years of Independence.

Is there a reason to celebrate?

I only just moved back home less than a year ago, after spending a majority of my childhood in Kenya. I tend to see and hear from other young Sierra Leoneans living abroad…complaints about the country and how much it needs to be improved, and so on.

However, how can we be complaining when we are so withdrawn from the country? Surely, if we want to make positive changes in helping the country develop we have to prove it with actions?

When I moved back, I was excited- I would get to eat all my local delicacies that I had been missing all these years – canya, butterscotch, black tumbler, kill driver, granat cake, oleleh wit palm oil chai! The move also meant that I would be much closer to relatives, as well as the fact that wherever I went, I could count on hearing people speak in the most popular and widely spoken dialect – krio.

I was home.

But after being here a few weeks, it started to dawn on me how much the country had continued to deteriorate. I mean sure, the government had constructed various roads and highways- albeit by creating contracts with the Chinese, but that’s something right? Not enough. Basic necessities like water supply, and electricity are still a major issue and the fact that Freetown is massively overpopulated does not help. What are the solutions to these issues?

Not to mention youth unemployment. According to UNDP Sierra Leone, the youth population, aged 15-35, comprises one third of the population of Sierra Leone. Approximately 70% of youth are underemployed or unemployed and an estimated 800,000 youth today are actively searching for employment.

Despite all this however, I choose to be optimistic about the future. I choose to make my mark, however small. I refuse to let the media continue to portray my country as a nation only known for Civil War and Ebola. We are more than that.

As young people, we have to be the change we want to see. Investing in Sierra Leone is key to it’s growth and development.

Sierra Leone is a beautiful country on the West Coast of Africa with a great deal of potential. We have a plethora of stunning beaches, gorgeous forests and hills, rich culture, and nurturing citizens that are always willing to help.

Geniuses like Kelvin Doe, visionaries like Sorious Samura, and impeccable athletes like Hafsatu Kamara call Sierra Leone HOME. Are we not a land of great people?

I have the utmost faith that we will continue to grow as a nation, and overcome the negative connotations that constantly used to label our Country – Sierra Leone.

Enjoy this poem by a Sierra Leonean poet – Ustina More.

Happy Independence Day Sierra Leone and to all our beautiful people.

Number 2 beach

 

Getting to know ME – Life as an African Millennial

So, this is my blog! Still feels super weird… BUT, it’s something I have always thought about and wondered if it was for me. I finally decided to take the plunge and try it out. So here goes.

Join me on my journey as we explore everyday topics, struggles, and successes that African Millennials face.

As for me, I am 23 years old, with a degree in Criminology and Psychology. However, I work for a marketing and consultancy firm as a Business Development Manager. I wanted to start this blog, because I wanted to do something on my own terms, topics I want to discuss, where I would feel more appreciated. I also wanted to create an online source, and use it as a platform to talk about relatable struggles that we are all affected by.

For one, I feel like there is a lot of pressure for Millennials; more specifically those of us born in the 90’s to – get a first degree, get a masters, get a well-paying job, get a house, get married and settle down… and it’s like whoa! Slow down! We are all still in our 20s and there is no time limit to accomplish any of those things.

A few months after I graduated, I struggled to get a job, and I would feel super overwhelmed and wonder what my purpose in life is. I was constantly comparing myself to my friends like ‘Oh so and so already has a job’… ‘This other person has already accomplished so much and we’re the same age.’ I was stuck.
I feel like what is for someone else, may not be right for you. Education for instance – going to Uni and getting a degree might be goals for person A, and person B might not see themselves going down the same route and that’s totally fine.

I am still a work in progress. Every day, trying to reiterate the fact that I am young, and have still got plenty of time to realise my dreams (whatever they may be. Still working on that too!)

 

-It’s okay to move at your own pace-