Yvette Rutyaha, a senior six student at Lycee De Kigali in Gisozi earned over Rwf1 million from a technology application she created aimed at eradicating environmental disasters.

Her app, K-Tech, excelled last year at the ‘global technovation’ competition held in Kigali through kLab at their location in Kacyiru. Participants were high school and university students — graduates and those still in school. 

‘Global technovation’ is a technology entrepreneurship programme and competition for young women which takes place once a year. It’s an online competition and application is done online as well.

Rutyaha says that K-Tech helps address and fight environmental problems, as well as other issues like poverty. It sensitises people on recycling and how to reuse, and also provides a link between recycling industries and the public.

She started her project two years ago after she felt that technology, which is now moving the world, was not well established in Africa.

"When it comes to technology, we are not yet there, like it is in developed countries. I wanted people to get information on how technology can help. I also wanted to familiarise the public with recycling,” she says.

The project, she says, has been an added advantage to her career aspirations.

"I started after attending entrepreneurship classes and eventually, I started making progress. I discovered that passion can drive one to become what they want to be in life,” she says.

Engaging in income generating activities after high school is not something many students do; however, experts believe that students need to build their potential as it will see them excel in college and the workforce.

Why it’s important

Frank Rubaduka, the chief executive at All Trust Ltd Rwanda, says that engaging in career-building activities after high school is important because it averts idleness and helps students start the journey to building their lives. It’s even better if a student starts earlier, while in school.

He says that parents and guardians should do away with the mentality that the only thing left for high school leavers to do is join university.

"If possible, one could even take a year to first figure out what they really want to do in college. This is another important stage in life, so going there when you know exactly what you want to do is important,” he observes.

He says that being part of the workforce is essential because it helps students realise that things are not as easy as they seem.

Valence Mushinzimana, in charge of discipline at Lycee de Kigali, says there are many expectations when it comes to the youth, so they should start contributing to the development of the country at a young age because society believes in them.

He says youngsters should engage in developmental activities now as they are full of life; meaning they will do it with passion and dedication and eventually achieve their dreams and build their nation. 

However, he cautions that parents/ guardians and students should make sure that whatever minors do after high school doesn’t take away their career dream in one way or another.

Mushinzimana says that this will introduce learners’ to the business world, and so finding a mentor to guide them accordingly is vital.

"This shouldn’t be for survival purposes, but to nurture skills they may have acquired in high school, so that they can shape their future,” he adds.

Abdalla Hakizimana, a graphic designer, photographer and showbiz personality, says high school graduates should find something to do after school, as it will be an added advantage to what they pursue at campus.

He says attending education-related meetings, business conferences for aspiring entrepreneurs, or volunteering to do communal work are just some of the things high school graduates can engage in before college. 

He adds that taking on short courses is also a bonus.

"When a student does internship or joins the workforce and they eventually start college, it boosts their drive as they know exactly what they want from life,” he says.

It also helps them balance what they were doing in high school and what they will do in college, which adjusts any career uncertainties, says Hakizimana.

He says that this is because they would have experienced what is needed in the job market, and adjust their course of action in college. 

What should be done?

Rubaduka says parents and students should keep in mind that college is not a class in high school; it’s a place where a student’s future lies, and going there when one knows what they are after is ideal.

On the other hand, if one is doing a certain course and they find it hard to study or be innovative in that course, they should resolve it before it’s too late.

He, however, notes that finding connections to former schools to volunteer in different areas has many advantages as well.

For instance, he says, those who are good in certain extracurricular activities can help others in those areas.

He says it’s through this that one will discover their passion and potential, which will help them do better when they join college.

Depending on how passionate one is about what they choose to do in college, engaging in similar activities after high school will push them in the right direction.

"Sitting at home will not help a student discover anything, and this will have its effect on them in the long run,” he says.

Stanley Munyeshuri, a career guidance teacher at Mubano in Kicukiro, says when a student chooses a course they are passionate about, it’s easier to prosper in the future.

He adds that this dream can be realised if one utilises their time well after high school.

"In reality, a university graduate should have the capacity to create jobs; sadly, many young graduates finish school to look for jobs, instead of creating them, and this is a problem for society at large,” Munyeshuri says.

He says that among many reasons, being idle after high school will lead to all this.

He adds that when students join university without assessing what they are passionate about, they end up jobless after graduation, and this is a problem because at the end of the day, they will find it hard to pay back the loans given to them by the government due to lack of employment.

editorial@newtimes.co.rw