Dear Editor,
I will be graduating from the Univer-sity of Guyana in two weeks with an Associate Degree in Environmental Health. Why is it so difficult to get a job in the private and public sectors? Before I ever thought of pursuing studies at UG, one could have sent a simple application to a company provided that one possessed the appropriate qualification to obtain that job. One could have followed through to be certain whether the company had received the application and await being called for an interview. Once that individual was successful at the interview he/she got the job.
I do not understand why today it goes in such a manner that you have to know somebody in a position who will-know-somebody-who-will-know-somebody before you could actually get a job. I am honestly frustrated and fed up with it. Does it mean that I have to know people in different circles to get a job? I am eager to share my training and skills towards the development of the organization once I am given a job.
Secondly, I can send many applications to many companies and still not be employed. Editor, what you hear when you follow through is, “We have no vacancy at this time, but send us an application, we will keep it on file and once a vacancy comes up we will notify you”; or “We are not hiring right now but send us an application…” Tell me, what is the sense of sending applications? In the end, your application could well be sitting in a file for generations to come, and the recruiting officer will never contact you.
For instance, one company’s human resources officer said to me, “We are not interested in hiring graduates from UG.” We all know of the difficulties that UG faces delivering quality education. Still, at the same time thousands of Guyanese students will attend this premier academic institution for a number of personal and professional reasons.
Is it that jobs are only available for certain people? Shouldn’t it be that an individual is given employment based on his qualifications and experience and his pay package is commensurate with these? Why is the Mayor and City Council not recruiting potential candidates? What is wrong with that organization? Again, why are renowned companies hesitant to recruit UG graduates? Moreso, it is painful to know that the procedure for employment with the ministries has a lot of red tape.
It is ridiculous to know that a student sacrifices 3 or 4 full years at UG all for naught. How can Guyana develop fully when qualified individuals cannot obtain suitable employment? I firmly believe because of the hindrances in the system many UG graduates seek employment overseas. Why is it that UG cannot establish a network with the ministries and other organizations to recruit its graduates?
I am utterly desirous of working. I can submit my CV and be ready to attend an interview to any public or private sector organization that is\willing to employ me.
Yours faithfully,
(Name and address provided)
