Prospects of a fresh graduate

Charity Karungi is one of the 1,347 finalists who on February 10th, 2011 graduated from the National University of Rwanda. In an interview with The New Times, Karungi disclosed her future career prospects after completing her four-year Degree in Economics where she majored in Development Economics. At 23 years, Karungi portrays a seemingly shy countenance that is a contrast to her intelligent nature. She was born on October 23rd, 1986 in Tororo District of Eastern Uganda to John Vianney Rwiyamirira and Joy Asiimwe. Her education journey started at St. Helens Primary School in Mbarara to Kyeizoba Girls School in Bushenyi for O’ Level and finally she finalized her A’ Level education at Mary Hill High School. However, this was not enough to join university; she had to re-do her final A-level exams as a private student in Rwanda if she wanted to be enrolled in the government sponsorship scheme. While she waited for the results, Karungi said, she decided to join the School of Modern Languages at National University of Rwanda. Her foresight was to learn a new language—a requirement for every student before pursuing any course at the university. “The first time the French lecturer entered our class he asked me to introduce myself and the whole class laughed at me because my French was pathetic. That made me determined to learn French and it paid off,” she said. While she learned French, Karungi received great news that she had passed highly and was a beneficiary of the government sponsorship scheme. “I was so excited and during my four years at university, I never took any assignment for granted because a re-take meant re-sitting an exam or missing your graduation,” she said. Four years down the road, Karungi’s dream came true: She was the best in her faculty graduating with a First Class Degree in Economics. The Government of Rwanda intends to keep unemployment rates below 5 percent by 2017. And it’s the sweat of the youth, like Karungi that transform Rwanda into a middle income nation. “It’s my dream to see my country’s prosperity as we achieve a stable balance of payment and disclaim the poverty level,” she says. The young graduate says she cannot wait to get employed and wants to specialize in her profession. “Of course I’m looking forward to getting employed; its everyone‘s wish and that is why we struggle to excel,” she said. She also intends to pursue a Masters Degree and PhD and later consider marriage as well. Karungi says she already misses the university’s lifestyle, fellowships and friends since she was the faculty representative. “Graduating was just the beginning of a long journey and I still have a lot to accomplish,” Karungi says. Dorau20@yahoo.co.uk