‘The job market needs multi-skilled personnel’

Talent. Moses Rudende (right), an Economist is excelling in media. PHOTO by edgar r. batte

Moses Rudende is an Economist whose passion to tell stories has led him on a career path on different media platforms. His aspiration in pursuing a degree in Economics was simple.

Economics fascinated him. “It opened my eyes to the dealings of how a country works, and how seemingly insignificant tweaks could have a major effect on a macro level,” he explains.
When he embarked on the course, his plan to veer off into the academia side, perhaps as a lecturer, but life has a funny way of happening. It led him to a different direction.
While at Uganda Martyrs University, in Nkozi, there was an idea to start a student radio show. He walked into their studio one day after they made a call for a show host, and got the job. He was a radio presenter at the university station for five months during which he was also finishing his academic course. The on-air experience was a springboard into getting on what was then Vision Voice. It later rebranded to XFM.
Discipline is the quality that stood out for him when he was being employed. He explains that radio, and indeed media on a whole, demands that you manage your time well.
“That and thoroughness. From that, I learnt that you have got to manage your time well and be thorough in whatever it is that you are executing. I try to anticipate all eventualities and plan for them. I rarely leave things to chance,” Rudende explains.

The TV path
Part of his career highlights in media is executing every radio show he has been given to present. He has since left radio and is now a business show host at NBS Television.
Accomplishing each show is a highlight and worth celebrating if for no other reason but to show up and deliver to the best of your abilities. Journalism has not allowed him an opportunity to practice as an economist. But it is not something he regrets. “I value the lessons I learnt from my Economics classes, especially since they are premised on analysis and logic. Maybe one day I will get a chance to put exactly what I learnt into practice, but regardless, I still apply some form of that knowledge into my day to day.”
Working on television gives him the satisfaction because it about applying one’s self to the best of their abilities. So, the satisfaction gotten from one thing or another is quite similar.
“The way things are today, you have to be adept in more than one skill. Read widely, teach yourself how to do whatever it is that will make you a more rounded human being,” the journalist explains.
He adds: “You are the generation of the information age, don’t waste it. Always strive to be the best version of yourself possible.”

Perfect job
From his work experiences, Rudende says that he always takes time to do the perfect job. His additional advice is that don’t start it if you’re not sure you will finish it.
“There is nothing as disconcerting as leaving something half done and yet you could have done it well. Always remember, your work is your ambassador, so to speak, so you want it to represent you the right way,” he explains. Platforms in in job markets like Uganda are important and as he argues, most of those in a position to provide the career and job guidance needed are usually pressed for time or can’t provide it as and when it is needed.
Rubende observes that employers or those willing to connect you to employers will most likely tell you what you need to do, but may not tell you how to do it.