2015 was without a doubt one of the toughest years of my life and I'm pretty sure it was challenging for many other people out there too. It was my first year out of Varsity after attaining my first degree - the year during which I expected to land an amazing job - preferably in January or February, and at the very latest in March, but life had other plans for me...
I had hoped to start my steady ascent up the corporate ladder right at the beginning of 2015 and make a name for myself in my career field, having written my last exam in June and graduated in November of 2014. Instead, it turned out to be the year when numerous companies closed their doors for good, thanks to the growing economic crisis in the country... the year that left just about 90% of Zim's population unemployed and broken in every possible way.
It was a year filled with tears, frustration, sleepless nights and unimaginable desperation. I must have applied for a thousand different jobs and was turned down more times than I care to remember. At some point I worked as a Brand representative for an upcoming media company and spent hot afternoons walking around town distributing flyers and business cards to just about anyone and everyone, inspite of the fact that I had graduated the previous year with a degree from one of the country's most outstanding Universities... From that job I made just enough money to buy myself a basic lunch everyday (I mean hot chips / french fries and a drink ... no extras).
I felt embarassed as I watched some of my peers buy and drive top-of-the-range cars and miraculously land jobs in the few successful companies that remained in the country while I struggled to keep my head above the water from day to day. I threw myself into blogging and social media administration, and for a long time it kept me from losing my mind. In the midst of it all I grabbed every chance that came along to work and learn new skills, regardless of how simple the tasks presented to me were. I strongly believed in equiping myself and polishing up my talents, even if it meant not gettting much of a salary, rather than sit at home all day and feel sorry for myself.
And then it came on a fine August afternoon... that phone call informing me that I was required to report to the Human Resources department of a certain tertiary institution in the city as soon as possible. I headed there the very next day, first thing in the morning and was handed... yes... my work contract! Unable to believe my eyes I must have read the contract through a thousand times to make sure I really was being offered a job and hadn't somehow misunderstood.
It's been 4 months since then and the beginning of a new year - and as the saying goes: so far, so good! I'm sharing my story now to encourage others out there who may be at the end of their ropes and feel like the entire universe is crashing over them. Hang in there, keep on dreaming and give every opportunity that comes your way your best shot. No matter what happens, never let circumstances kill your dreams. Live passionately, dream unapologetically and make 2016 your greatest year ever.... in your own unique way.
The best in life awaits you... REALLY!
Have a fantastically awesome year!
From the Sassy Graduate