Giving Up is Not an Option

I was reminiscing with a friend over the festive season, when he used the occasion to announce his New Year’s resolution.

“I’m leaving my job next year for something better,” said Kevin. I couldn’t understand why he had accepted a job that did not interest him.

“What’s the fuss all about?” I asked him, totally opposed to what he was saying. “It’s not working for me anymore. Besides,” he continued, “I didn’t choose it but I had no other choice.”

Kevin graduated with a degree in Human Resource Management from the Midrand Graduate Institute. He was constantly complimented by his primary school teachers on his academic success. Upon reaching high school, he excelled even further and passed matric with flying colours.

After he matriculated, Kevin received a scholarship from an investment company to further his studies. When he completed his degree in 2012, he was offered an internship at a particular casino. The training programme lasted for 15 months. He was then unemployed for eight months, and the following month he found himself a job at an insurance company in Illovo, where he’s currently working making tea and sweeping the floor.

I know that most graduates wouldn’t settle for less. But resorting to a new job is not a good idea, especially in a country such as ours with its high rate of unemployment. I told him it would take so much time, commitment, effort and energy, that it would become a job in itself.

Nothing about his job offers improved employment opportunities and does not match his qualifications. This is what makes him unhappy at work. He wanted to know:

“Why is it that job experience always comes first?”

“Employers want to hire someone they feel will be able to get the job done. Time is money, so no employer wants to peer over your shoulder all day when he should be attending to his own workload,” I told him.

“It is not what you know that matters, it is how you perform that counts. The manner in which you approach your work, will determine how effectively you use your hard-earned knowledge. For instance, being eager to help anybody beyond the scope of your education will get you noticed and promoted one day.”

All in all, the only way to the top is to make a difference. Kevin ended up singing a different tune:

“Well, in that case, winners don’t give up.” Indeed.

By Solam Yves Ludidi
Freelance journalist and writer based in Johannesburg
Contact number: 078 970 2446
E-mail: mkhizem070@gmail.com

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