Employ your natural skills to succeed, says expert

Most school leavers are obsessed with what they study in school contrary to what they are able to do, career experts have said.
According to Ms Harriet Tugume, a career expert, skills such as self-initiative, neatness at the workplace, and commitment which are acquired outside school, are critical in life.
“There is no employee who is interested in what you studied in a lectureroom or classroom. They care about the contributions you can add to their organisation, and you can only contribute if you discover your potential and committed to work” Ms Tugume said during a female youth dialogue on ‘Life after school’ organised by Action for Development, in Kampala this week.
She advised the students to live a balanced life characterised by self-esteem, and initiative to be able to discover their worth and potential in life.
“Most students, especially females, take long thinking about what doesn’t help them, like marrying the right man. You should first discover what you are good at before thinking about trivial issues. What you can do is what determines the rest.”
She added: “Life is about the application of skills never acquired while in school.”
Mr Charles Ociici, the chief executive officer, Enterprise Uganda advised the students to join entrepreneurship which he described as an “equaliser.”
“Entrepreneurship can bring you whatever you lost during your education. Instead of sitting home or looking for the scarce jobs, you can create jobs for you and others,” Mr Ociici said, adding that: “You don’t have to start with huge sums of money but only need the courage to start with two kilograms of nails or three chickens, despite the rigorous academic achievement you have attained.”
Successful people, according to Mr Ocici, are able to withstand the criticism from people who do not have the ability to make hard decisions.
“Even after achieving success and people are praising you, accept the praises and move forward.”
He cited entrepreneurs who earned the respected of the world through their hard work and humility and urged young people already in business to remain focused and do the best they can.
“If you are in a fruits business, make sure you have the freshest. Every shopper is looking for that and nothing less,” Mr Ociici said.
He observed that the problem of young people is to think they will start a multi-million business.
“My friend, stop living in the ideal world and come to reality. You need to start small because that’s what you can afford. The beauty is that small brings big,” Mr Ociici said.

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