Tips for Kenyan University Students to Prepare for the Real World
Many Kenyan university students receive pocket money ranging from 1,000 Ksh to about 5,000 Ksh per week. However, for those receiving 1,000 Ksh or less, this amount is often insufficient to cover all essential expenses.
So, how can students make extra money to meet their needs and save some?
Given that most courses in Kenya take 4 years to complete, with 8 semesters (assuming 2 semesters per year) and long holidays in between, how students spend their time on campus can significantly impact their ability to thrive after graduation.
Students need to balance academics with other self-growth activities, such as internships, volunteering, or joining clubs and societies. This not only enhances their skills but also increases their chances of securing employment upon graduation.
To ensure financial stability, students should aim to earn at least 50 Ksh per day, which can contribute to savings and personal development. This amount might seem small, but it can add up over time, especially when combined with prudent budgeting and saving habits.
The goal is to have financial independence. By maximizing their time on campus and engaging in income-generating activities, Kenyan university students can better prepare themselves for the challenges of the real world.
Finding jobs in Kenya, even for educated individuals, can be challenging due to various factors. In today’s economy, it’s no longer just about pursuing one’s passion; rather, it’s also about acquiring in-demand skills and being adaptable to changing job market trends.
This underscores the importance for university students to not only focus on academic excellence but also on acquiring practical skills and experiences that are valued in the job market.
How to Utilize HELB Fund Well as a Kenyan University Student
Utilizing the Higher Education Loans Board (HELB) funds wisely is crucial for university/college students. The loan, ranging from 26,000 Ksh to 14,000 Ksh after deductions, is often misused.
Most students tend to spend this money on quite unnecessary items and in just one month the students have used all the money. To make the most of HELB funds, students should prioritize clearing any pending school fees or rent balances to ensure uninterrupted learning.
Budgeting is key. On average, Kenyan students spend around 2,000 Ksh per week on essential expenses such as food, personal items, internet, and entertainment.
Creating a budget can help students track their spending and avoid unnecessary expenses.
Additionally, investing in resources that enhance learning and future employability, such as books, academic materials, and skill development courses, can be beneficial.
Saving a portion of the HELB funds for emergencies or future investments is also important. By using HELB funds wisely, students can alleviate financial stress and better prepare for their future.
How Industrial attachment can help prepare for the real world as a Kenyan university student?
Industrial attachment is a crucial component of a Kenyan university student’s education. It provides a bridge between academic learning and real-world application, offering invaluable experiences and insights that can help students prepare for their future careers.
One of the key benefits of industrial attachment is the opportunity to build connections within the industry.
During attachment, students have the chance to interact with professionals, managers, and other interns, creating a network that can be beneficial in the future.
These connections can lead to referrals, job opportunities, and mentorship, all of which are valuable assets as students transition into the workforce.
Moreover, industrial attachment can lead to paid internships. Companies often use attachment programs as a way to identify potential employees.
If a student performs well during their attachment, they may be offered a paid internship with the company after graduating.
This not only provides valuable work experience but also allows graduates to earn an income before getting a permanent job. They can also add more years of experience to their resume, making them more competitive in the job market.
Additionally, industrial attachment helps students develop important skills that are essential in the workplace.
These include technical skills related to their field of study, as well as soft skills such as communication, teamwork, and problem-solving. This helps when looking for a job since you will have the required skills and expertise.
Students should take the industrial attachments with seriousness as it is one way of success.
Academic Performance and How It Affects Graduates’ Life After Campus
In Kenya, there are five distinctions in university academic performance:
- First Class Honors: Usually above 70% (A)
- Second Class Honors (Upper Division): between 60% and 69% (B)
- Second Class Honors (Lower Division): Between 50% and 59% (C)
- Pass: between 40% and 49% (D)
- Fail: below 40% (F)
The higher the grade, the higher the chances of getting a job. If you fail, you’ll be required to do a resit exam, often at an additional cost.
For example, at Chuka University, the resit fees are 3,000 Ksh. If a student has 3 resit exams, they will have to pay 9,000 Ksh to do the resits.
It’s important to note that you cannot graduate with a fail, and you can even get expelled if you fail more than 50% of that semester’s exams.
This emphasizes that students must consider academic performance as the main objective of being in university, as good academic performance makes students competitive in the job market.
Jobs that University Students Can do while still learning
The mistakes that most students make include:
1. Waiting until they have graduated so that can now start looking for jobs.
2. Just depending on the same course and failure to attain new skills
3. Misuse HELB funds by unnecessary expenses.
4. Relying solely on lectures. For example, computer courses require you to have a lot of personal experience. It’s not a surprise to find a very good computer programmer who doesn’t know how to install an operating system on a computer.
5. Being in the comfort zone because the parent or guardian is giving the pocket money.
Here are ways university students can make money
1. Online Jobs. Offering services such as content writing, graphic design, programming, and digital marketing on platforms like Upwork, Fiverr, and Freelancer can be a good source of income for Kenyan university students.
Many Kenyan university students have been successful in online jobs. There was a time when a JKUAT student showcased his fully furnished house all he bought using online jobs.
2. Starting your own business. Students can use savings from pocket money and some HELB funds to start their small businesses.
The aim here is to make some cash daily. These jobs may include, selling both new and mitumba clothes and shoes, cyber services and more.
3. Photography services. Campus students like taking a lot of photoshoots pictures. An outdoor single-person photo if unedited costs 50ksh and if it is edited it costs 100ksh. All you need is a good camera, laptop and lighting equipment.
4. Participating in the university on-campus jobs. These are typically part-time jobs offered by the university or affiliated organizations to help students earn money while gaining valuable work experience.
May include library assistants, event planners, and administrative assistants.
5. Sports in Kenya universities are a good source of income. This can include receiving scholarships, prize money from competitions, sponsorships, and endorsements.
