What’s next? : Where we will go from here

What’s next? : Where we will go from here

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ampus life has been eventful. Fun, freedom, and friends. But the question on the lips of many is “What next after campus?”

BY MUSYOKA NGUI

Four years are closing in on us fast. So much has happened between and among us.  From freshman to sophomore to third year and now the final year. Actually, it's final semester. We have had memorable moments that will forever remain etched in our minds long after we've left Chuka University.

The question on the lips of many is “What next after campus?”. Most comrades are looking for jobs. Others want to marry, especially ladies. Few want to enroll for Masters. Others are skeptical about the future of media in Kenya. After field attachment people’s opinions on matters media have sunk. Complains are rife regarding the poor remuneration of media practitioners.  Reality is that jobs are few and far between. You have to be networked to be employed.  The phrase “knowing people” can never be more apt.

Campus life has been eventful. Fun, freedom, and friends. Some friends made here will be carried over to workplaces, homes and this or other university since learning never ends. But the enduring goal of this journey is academics. We hope that the certificates will open doors of opportunities for us. We so passionately want to follow our professions, to serve and to earn decent pay in the process.

After graduation it becomes official for one to exercise the power to read and do all that appertains to their degree.  I can’t speak for many public universities and colleges but the culture of excellence has been entrenched in Chuka University. Lecturers teach. Students study. Exams are done and transcripts returned promptly. Our class has been lucky to have top performers. No one is not teachable.

Some comrades fell on the way. I hope that they are safe and continued with their studies elsewhere. We too are leaving. But not empty handed. The lecturers who mentored us will remain to bring up yet another generation of scholars.

The Chuka University alumni are doing great in the industry already.  So far so good. This being a young university with few graduations it is our responsibility to market our Alma mater to students, employers, parents, government, private institutions and any other stakeholder interested in higher education. This onerous task is upon us as we leave Chuka University. We shall forever remain proud of this great prophetic institution.

Some comrades are not in a rush to leave at all. Others have landed jobs while at school. That’s great. Those who haven’t have volunteered in different capacities; cleaning the environment, visiting the sick, orphans and contributing fees for comrades who are bright but needy.

The business community must appreciate the economic boost that we have done to this locality. We have been faithful tenants staying in the houses of landlords. Mama Mbogas know the value of ten shillings due to the multiplier effect of so many comrades offering ready market. Bar owners bear witness to student patrons who drink and party like tomorrow is only a mere concept.

Another entity waiting for graduating comrades is the HELB. Ghai! Who will pay up those colossal sums of loans? Some can’t believe they gobbled up all those six digits. All is blown like powder in the wind. Dear comrade, for the sake of peace and avoidance of sabotage by HELB at the interview, pay up as soon as you get a job.

I trust tomorrow will be kind.  Challenge accepted. Bring it on. We have survived many ordeals. Then we were younger, less experienced but still made it. Now we are stronger, mature and best prepared. We are just entering the heydays. Our best days lay ahead. With God we shall overcome regardless of the challenges.

Thanks everybody for your contribution. It has been great knowing you and the difference you made in our lives can’t be appreciated enough. Cheers!

The writer is a final year student of Bachelors of Arts degree in Communication and Media at Chuka University.