MISS TROPHY; LIFE AFTER GRAD

They take their certificates with great pride and toss their graduation hats in the air with celebration of their hard work that they have done over the years to attain their diplomas and degrees. While they do this, little do they know that reality awaits and they have to build the strength and resilience in them to endure the realities of unemployment and scarcity of jobs.

As the book ‘The Secret Say’, people attract what they radiate and this has applied to songbird Miss Trophy who has recently graduated and is still job hunting.
Miss Trophy, real name Tengetile Mahlalela, graduated last year with a Diploma in Teaching from William Pitcher College and since then, she has refused to let the cloud of hopelessness, when it comes to jobs, cloud her.
“I chose to become an optimist and with my hobby of singing which I have taken up as a career, I am able to keep busy,” said the ‘Sithandwa Sami’ hit maker.

The unemployment rate in Eswatini remained unchanged at 26.40 per cent in 2017 from 26.40 per cent in 2016. Unemployment Rate in Eswatini averaged 24.33 per cent from 1989 until 2017, reaching an all-time high of 28.60 per cent in 1989 and a record low of 21.60 per cent in 1995.

These escalating and shocking figures have induced the strong side of her.
“I’m not working yet and I have decided to look at my glass half-full and not half-empty hence I am propelled to say it has been good as I feel refreshed.  The thought that I did it after three years of hard work and sleepless nights makes me enthusiastic because I get to rest and focus on my music.

“I think at the moment I am still excited about the whole idea that I did it though I’ll be going back to school very soon. I’m trying to enjoy it while it lasts,” she said.
Miss Trophy’s optimism has made her music career escalate within a year of infiltrating the music industry and within that year, she was on the MTN BUSHFIRE Firefly stage, which was a huge breakthrough for an up-and-coming talent.
CopING with unemployment uncertainty

Take care of yourself. Prioritize self-care and get adequate sleep. Sleep loss diminishes your ability to focus and contributes to feeling down.

Exercise. Exercise releases endorphins and will help you feel better. If you are unable to work out, seek out other ways to be active such as dancing, walking, and gardening.

Eat regular meals. Do not skip breakfast. Breakfast provides your body with fuel to start off your day. Include lots of fruits and vegetables in your diet. Drink lots of water.

Manage your stress. Incorporate stress-reduction techniques into your day. Practice mindfulness. Be aware of your energy level throughout the day and, whenever possible, schedule job search activities for when you are at your best.

Budget carefully. Being aware of your finances will help you deal with the financial stress related to loss of income.

Reach out to others. Talk about your job loss; not only is it an emotional release but it also lets people around you know that you are looking for work which can lead to job leads and opportunities. Value your relationships. Spend time with family and friends. If you are alone, contact a crisis line and reach out to your local neighbourhood house or community centre to learn about available resources.

Take control of your job search. Be proactive. Rather than limiting your job search to online applications and online job sites, spend time targeting employers you would like to work for. Set up information interviews and distribute your resumé to various employers. Follow up after applying for positions.

Volunteer. There are a number of benefits to volunteering. Not only does it help you to network, you also have the opportunity to add new skills, keep current skills active and receive a great reference. Volunteering is a great asset to add to your resumé and demonstrates great character to an employer. Also, helping others will keep you busy and help you to feel better about yourself.

Be positive. Focusing on the negative prevents you from being open to opportunities. Instead, focus on your possibilities rather than on your fears. Try to see things in a more positive light. For example, if you are dealing with rejection from an interview, reframe it in a positive way by acknowledging the fact that you got the interview and then learn from it. Focus on what you have achieved versus what you haven’t.

Maintain a sense of humour. Smile and laugh. Studies have shown that laughter reduces stress and is great for your overall health. Don’t forget to have fun!

Practice gratitude. Keep a daily gratitude journal and write down three things you are grateful for every day. Express gratitude and appreciation to the people around you. Believe in yourself. And remember, there is light at the end of the job search tunnel.

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