By Goretti Kimani
Contrary to popular belief, educational credentials are an integral part of job search and career building.
Most successful careers are founded on a good education. Credentials provide an impartial third party endorsement of an individual’s professional knowledge and experience. They are a confirmation that a person has passed a particular test or examination, and has earned the requisite qualification to perform a task requiring the particular skill.
However, not everyone seems to hold this view. It is common to come across job seekers with great CVs full of acquired skills, but with no supportive educational credentials. Take the case of Lucy, for example, she got a job as a cashier in the retail chain using her KCSE certificate several years ago. Eight years down the lane, she had risen to the position of Branch Manager through her exemplary performance.
Unfortunately, she was laid off when the company brought in new investors. She is now back in the job hunting field with a great CV and recommendations, but with no academic credentials to go with it. She has found the job market rocky and some of the employer bluntly asking her to explain why she never found it important to go back to school and at least acquire a diploma or a degree. This reality check has pushed her to now contemplate taking a break to study.
But what really went wrong? Lucy made the common mistake of taking education for granted. Some people assume that others go to school to get jobs, hence when the job comes first, then there is no point going to school.
Short-sighted
But this is a short sighted, foolhardy and misplaced ideology that will soon make you an extinct being in your preferred area of work. Good credentials and careers go hand in hand, regardless which comes first. For Lucy, she was lucky to have landed a job with absolutely no papers. All she needed to do was work hard and study part time to solidify her position in the field.
Proper credentials are an indispensable asset for your career. Besides the underlying knowledge, qualified people possess greater self-esteem, confidence and a readiness to learn and adapt at work, a fact that makes them more attractive to employers. Credentials are also a great tool for professional mobility. Had Lucy invested in some management course, it would found it much easier to move on in a different organisation or even industry.
It goes without saying that career building is a continuous process and a track record is indispensable. But what is not documented gets forgotten very quickly. Relying on experience alone is like building on quicksand. As with Lucy above, when the going gets tough, you will not have much to fall back on.
There are countless tertiary institutions that offer a variety of programs to suit nearly everyone’s needs. Some institutions are even offering nighttime and online classes. As you look around, ensure you enrol for courses that are marketable and relevant to your career goals. Moreover, in today’s fast changing world, you must realise that there are no timeless credentials, and a continuous plan of self improvement is mandatory to stay ahead.
The writer is a human resource specialist with Peoplelink Consultants Ltd. Email: goretti@peoplelink.co.ke
