07/02/2025
As a graduate if you ever think of quitting, then, read this piece. From our former president for 2021/2022 academic year Mansour Jallow .
Whilst graduating from university is often considered a milestone, a moment of accomplishment that marks the end of years of hard work and the beginning of a new chapter in life. However, for many graduates in Sierra Leone, this transition is filled with uncertainty and challenges that demand resilience, creativity, and adaptability. Life after graduation in Sierra Leone is not only shaped by the knowledge and skills gained during academic studies but also by the economic, social, and political realities of the country.
One of the most significant challenges graduates face in Sierra Leone is finding employment. While many graduates hope to secure jobs in their field of study, the country’s job market is highly competitive and limited in scope. Sierra Leone, like many other countries in Africa, grapples with high levels of unemployment, especially among young people.
Youth unemployment rate in Sierra Leone remain high, making it difficult for graduates to find full-time, well-paid jobs. For graduates, the search for employment often involves facing a harsh reality: despite having degrees, they may have to settle for jobs that do not align with their qualifications or expectations.
The emotional toll of these pressures can be overwhelming, leading some graduates to feel a sense of failure or loss of purpose.
After my graduation in 2022, life was different from my initial expectations but the reality is that I never thought of quitting. Each time I think of the stages I have passed through and the battles I fought, I develop self motivation and banked on the perspective that success doesn’t come easily and that every successful person once had a painful story.
Right after graduation, I started volunteering with organizations (whose names I won’t mention for confidentiality). However, I had bitter experiences with them. I volunteered for four (4) months without stipends, I and my colleagues thought we might be on probation. On the contrary, we were just being used by the organization. Afterwards, I decided to end ties with that organization and moved on with another one.
The second organization was somehow better but the stipend was very small that you could use the entire stipend in space of two days. Whilst volunteering with this organization, I made use of my free time to search for opportunities on the internet.
I embraced every opportunity. Roughly, I applied for fifteen (15) different scholarships and universities in UK, Australia, and Netherlands. This was also not easy because I had multiple rejection emails before I secured admission offers from University of Sussex, University of Birmingham, University of Glasgow and others. For each of these universities, the tuition fee was very high. So, I decided to focus purely on fully funded scholarships.
Fast forward, I bumped into the Queen Elizabeth Commonwealth Scholarship on .com and LinkedIn. I applied and was successfully offered the scholarship. Prior to this scholarship, I have had rejections from Chevening Scholarships, Australia Awards for Africa, and many others. However, that didn’t discourage me because I knew the start is always difficult.
My message to young graduates is clear. I know life could be frustrating after university, but you always have to be focused and determined. Whilst, searching for for jobs, I implore you to make good use of the internet. You can get lots of opportunities through LinkedIn.
I rest my case for now!
Regards,
Mansour Jallow
