Job options for different professions

“It is important for a student to always know the other jobs that they can undertake in line with their profession. The problem we have in Uganda today is that students have a mentality that if they are qualified for a specific job, then that is what they are only supposed to do which is definitely wrong,” she says.

Musisi adds that for a student to make an informed career decision, it requires relevant and reliable information about opportunities that exist in a particular field.

She says a big number of aspiring professionals are quick to select courses of study only for them to regret many years down the road when they fail to get the jobs they trained for. However, Musisi notes that every profession you train for, there are more than three opportunities that one can take advantage of.

Journalism and communication
Lucy Asiimwe, a human resource manager at Ministry of Public Service, says many graduates of Journalism and Communications most times think it is only radio, television or print media where they should be employed. She observes that some will keep rotating from one media house to another as opportunities elsewhere pass them by.
But Abdul Zahara, a graduate of Journalism and Communication from Makerere University, says a person who graduates in Journalism and Communication can join advertising, photography, hospitality, publishing and public relations or become a multi-media specialist.

“After my graduation, I solicited for funds, bought myself a good camera and started doing photography. I take photos at different events and also do videos. I have never regretted my decision because I am self-employed and I get good money,” she says.

Arts and entertainment
According to Hasfa Mukyala, a curator at Makerere University main gallery, though many students underlook Arts and Entertainment, it is a field that has vast opportunities.
“When you take up Art and Design, it does not necessarily mean you are only restricted to being a musician or a music trainer, there are several job opportunities in this field,” she notes.

Mukyala observes that some of the opportunities in this field may include; arts education, therapy, broadcasting, fashion, film, museums and performing arts.
Mukyala says most broadcasters who present on fashion or write about fashion in different media houses are preferably people that have done arts and design and she encourages those that are trained in this field to always embrace such opportunities.

Education
According to Musisi, people who train in education have a vast number of other job opportunities they can take on.
She says apart from teaching, they can become counsellors, writers, social workers, speech pathologists, library and information services.
“Do not think if you are trained in education, you are only supposed to do classroom work, you can be a good writer, especially if you have done English and Literature and you can also become an environment writer if you have specialised in science subjects,” she notes.

Law
Rhitah Kirungi, a state attorney in West Nile, says people that have done Law should not only get restricted to courts. She says a lawyer can do public advocacy, lobbying and law enforcement.
“If you fail to get a job in law then go for advocacy. lawyers can be good advocates, especially in NGOs and they can also use their knowledge to lobby and get funds that can run a project,” she observes.

Business
Musisi explains that when one does business there are a number of job opportunities they can do among which is; accounting, consulting, insurance and real estate. “In case of moving to different offices and banks looking for accounting jobs, go into real estate if you can. It is good business and it is also paying well,” she says.

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