| Jasmine Bacchus found employment at a Lucky Dollar store as a Customer Service Representative to make ends meet,Steven Adams Thunder Swingman Jersey, not wanting to place all the financial burden on her mother, a cleaner, who works at the Ministry of Home Affairs.She took a student loan, and at age 22, Jasmine graduated with a Degree in Economics at the University of Guyana, yesterday. Bacchus was among the hundreds who donned their gowns for the special day,LeBron James USA Jersey, their smiles as bright as the hope they cling to in finding their dream job.Some pursued studies at the University with hopes of getting a better paying job. These include Bibi Nickram, 31, a teacher,Authentic Isaiah Thomas Celtics Jersey, who graduated with a degree in Education. She hopes this will help her to get a promotion before the competition gets rough.Jasmine wants to become a Project Manager or a Trade Officer,Authentic Michael Jordan Bulls Jersey, whichever comes first. But she will have to compete with the scores upon scores who are looking for her job.She agrees that jobs are hard to find, so most likely, she will be going back to the Lucky Dollar Store on Monday until she can find the job she wants.“One in 2,000?” she replied when asked what she thinks her chances are of landing “the” job.She has sent out quite a few applications. Those who did reply, did so with the customary line, “We’ll keep your application on file for future reference.”Jasmine took up Economics as a challenge, and has managed to overcome the odds, living with her mother, a single-parent. She plans to further her studies.Jasmine is not the only one aware of the poor chance of finding a suitable job.Bibi NickramOmadele Carryl graduated yesterday with a degree in Public Management, and has been scouring the job market, but has so far turned up empty-handed.She has been working at her mother’s snackette at the Stabroek Market, while she waits. Omadele is aware that jobs are scarce, but feels that her degree would make her more “marketable,” increasing her chances of finding suitable employment.The story repeats itself yet and yet again.Rayon Samuels,Marvin Williams Hornets Swingman Jersey, 20, graduated with a Diploma in Computer Science. He is not ready yet to pursue a degree,Anthony Davis USA Jersey, but intends to go on an intense job search. It is a fierce competition,Russell Westbrook Thunder Jersey, as he has recognised more and more students pursuing his line of study.“I am a Christian; I have faith,” he said when asked about his chances of finding a job.A qualification from the University of Guyana is seen as the stepping stone for, ultimately, a job that pays well. Grandmother Audrey Schultz, 57, is one of those who hope to do better.Like others, Schultz,Allen Iverson USA Jersey, had friends and family attending the graduation to celebrate her proud achievement. Being a single parent, Schultz found it hard to meet the bills, and so juggled two jobs while attending classes.She worked in the day as a Pharmacist Assistant at the Georgetown Public Hospital, and then at night, she worked at the centre for recovering female drug addicts and other substance abusers.“You know how much the Pharmacist Assistant job pays!” retorted Namela-Barnes Henry, a relative, when asked why Schultz has been working day and night.Gerron Parker, 20, graduated with a degree in Economics. His mother,Enes Kanter Thunder Jersey, Lenise, worries about her son’s future. She is proud of what he was able to achieve at such a young age. His school, Christ Church, did offer Economics when time came to write exams offered by the Caribbean Examinations Council. But he decided to sign up for Economics at UG, and graduated with Credit.But Gerron’s mother wonders where he will find a job. If one comes up overseas, she will not hesitate to send him.He sent out several applications. One of them was to the Ministry of Finance and he was promised an interview within a month, but the month has passed and no call for the interview has come in.These students are among the hundreds who graduated yesterday with their eyes set on a better career, for a better future for themselves and their families. With a dismal job market staring them down, all they can cling to is hope, and as in the case of Rayon, faith. |
