Graduates, Become CEOs Of Self

Dear graduates, it is unfortunate that we have to face the fact that the typography of how we make a living in our era is different.

“Go to school, get good grades, graduate and get a job.” This was true, but today its sincerity has depreciated to almost zero degrees. That is why I challenge you to think employer and not employee by becoming chief executives officers (CEO) of self.

When you receive news such as

67 000 graduates are unemployed on top of all the economic crisis news, you get depressed. We hear governments and world debates on youth economic emancipation, introductions and the re-strategising of policies such as National Development Plans, Harambee Prosperity Plan and the World Sustainable Development Goals; in all these dialogues they are yet to provide access to more employment opportunities.

It is a sad reality, but admit that your education qualification might not guarantee you a golden seat in the industry of your choice. It is clear that Namibia unfortunately in our era cannot cater for all of you unless you are a CEO of self.

To become a CEO of self for millennials should not be hard since we are living in the info-techno world. It starts with networking, developing a contact list of people and organisations whom you hope will connect you to opportunities in your industry.

It is about self-representation at events. You need to show up at functions hosted by organisations and companies in your industry with your own business cards. This means raising your professional profile on social media sites like LinkedIn, Facebook and Instagram which are your modern business card. Follow, like pages, add links and comments on topics of industrial interests. Sell yourself, position yourself where people of influence in your industry will meet you.

A CEO of self must have a mentor to receive the right support and guidance. Find someone you believe has similar personal values as yourself and has the skills you aspire to have. Someone who will stretch and challenge you to be more than what you are capable of. A mentor should be someone who has been through the journey that you need to take.

The mentor will help you to find someone in your industry or field who can help introduce you to industry leaders or those who are working in your area of interest and help you establish a professional network. A mentor is someone in your industry who has achieved something you have in your goals.

No CEO of self who does not value competition will succeed unless they have invested in self-development and spent time developing their strength. Volunteer in or outside your industry to build your skills. You may understand that education is a continuous process hence those who nurture their skills frequently win opportunities. Tapping into your creativity and making use of all mental and emotional resources to gain valuable abilities that will make an impact on this world, that should become your ultimate goal.

You must understand that solutions are found through the readjusting of life strategies, this means you are required to change your mind set, learn new skills and continuously develop your skills to keep an active mind to make a difference in your life and your well being.

Remember to take a leap of faith, much will happen in those small steps you will stumble upon. You may like to stick affirmations all over your home to create a mirror of positive words to carry you through rough days. The opportunity will not come when you need it or in the way you want it and may not look as you envision it but you have to believe it is coming.

I believe as you become a CEO of self ,you will become a true believer who will survive in this era. The one who thrives in his network, by having a mentor, acquiring skills and who in the mist of a lack of opportunity believes there’s one tailored for him.

Therefore forget not that there is an old person inside you who depends on your will, effort and intelligence. That person is who you are going to be five years from today. Do not disappoint the future you, think employer not employee become CEO of self.