As a recent graduate, I thought I had finally reached the pinnacle of my academic journey. I had worked hard, earned my qualification, and ready to take on the world. But, little did I know that my journey was only just beginning. The harsh reality of the job market hit me like a ton of bricks, and I soon realized that I was not alone in my struggles.
One of the most significant challenges I am facing or shall I say “we” are facing is the geographic bias that seems to pervade the job market. Many entry-level jobs require that applicants have graduated from a specific institution or have a certain level of familiarity with the local area. This may seem like a reasonable requirement, but it has far-reaching consequences for graduates like me who studied in a different province.
For instance, I studied in the Eastern Cape specifically Gqeberha (formerly Port Elizabeth), but I’m originally from KwaZulu-Natal. When I started applying for internships in KZN, Gauteng etc. I was dismayed to find that many job postings specifically required applicants to have graduated from a local institution. This meant that, despite being a qualified and eager candidate, I was automatically at a disadvantage. This requirement is not only unfair but also limiting. Not only to us graduates but it also restricts matric students from applying to universities in other cities, which can be a life-changing experience for many young people but because they would want to avoid such they should reconsider their options.
The reality is that many graduates, like me, have been fully funded during our studies, Thanks to NSFAS!. We have worked hard to earn our qualifications and we are eager to start our careers. However, this requirement to have graduated from a local institution creates a significant barrier to entry. It’s like companies are forgetting that we are qualified professionals who deserve a fair chance to compete for jobs.
I know that I am not alone in my struggles. I gained most of my experience through volunteering and many graduates face the same challenges. We are eager to start our careers, but we need options. We need to be able to choose where we want to start our careers, where we want to gain experience, and where we want to make a difference.
I am mentioning the volunteering part because this requirement can also have serious financial implications for graduates. Many of us have to rely on our families or take out loans to support ourselves while we job hunt. The added expense of relocating to a new city can be prohibitive, especially when there are no guarantees of finding a job.
It’s like saying that our choice of going to a different province for studies is hindering us from having a choice of where we want to start our careers or gain experience. We deserve better! We can not fight for equal opportunities ALL THE TIME, even on things that should be common sense.
When will this end?
Video: The Struggle is Real: How Geographic Bias Limits Job Opportunities for Graduates
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