Linkedin ni jukwaa lenye jumla ya watu wapatao milioni 950 kutoka nchi zaidi ya 200 ulimwenguni. Mtandao huu unakua kwa kasi sana kutokana na fursa mbalimbali ambazo watu wanapata hasa wanaotafuta kazi, wanaotangaza biashara zao.
Kuna faida gani za kutumia mtandao wa LinkedIn? Katika makala hii nitaeleza faida tano za kutumia mtandao wa LinkedIn mbali na kutafuta kazi kama ilivyozoeleka kwa wengi.
Kujifunza.
Watu wengi wanajiunga LinkedIn kwa lengo la kutafuta kazi tu hasa vijana wanaomaliza vyuo, jambo ambalo linafanya baadhi yao kuja na mabango ya “Hi everyone, I am looking for new role and would appreciate your support. Thank you in Advance for any connection” baada ya hapo haonekani tena.
LinkedIn ni jukwaa linalokuwezesha kujifunza mambo mengi yamkini hata yale uliokuwa huyajui kutoka wataalamu tofauti tofauti mfano HR, Engineer, Writers, Consultants, Career coach, Doctors, Marketers n.k wote hawa wako Linkedin.
Uzuri ni kwamba watu hawa hufundisha mambo kadha wa kadha ikiwemo mambo gani ufanye na yapi usifanye kulingana na tasnia zao.
Mfano HR wanafundisha jinsi ya kujibu maswali ya interview ambayo mara nyingi watahiniwa huulizwa wakiwa kwenye chumba cha mahojiano (Interview) kama vile “Unafikiri ni kwa nini wewe unafit kwenye hii kazi, tueleze wewe ni nani, tuulize swali kama una swali n.k”
Career Coach wanafundisha vitu ambavyo unatakiwa kujua kabla ya kwenda kwenye interview mfano “Jinsi ya kuelezea ujuzi wako, namna gani unaweza kuhama kutoka kitengo kimoja kwenda kitengo kingine bila hata kwenda kuongeza Masters wala kwenda kukisomea chuo”.
Haya yote utajifunza huko huko LinkedIn, ni wewe na utayari wako wa kujifunza.
Kuongeza marafiki wapya.
Marafiki hawa wanaweza kuwa ni wataalamu wanaokuzidi kimaarifa na kiujuzi, mnaendana au unawazidi kwa lengo la kubadilishana mawazo chanya katika tasnia zenu na pengine kufanya kazi pamoja.
Mara nyingi urafiki huu waweza kukusaidia kutatua changamoto mbalimbali usizoweza iwe kwa kuongea nao kwenye simu, message au kukutana sehemu ili kujadili zaidi baada ya kujuana.
Amini kwamba, milima haikutani lakini ninyi mnaweza kukutana katika namna ambao hukuitengemea, “aah! Kumbe ndo wewe sikutegemea kama tutakutana”. Leo mtakutana linkedIn kesho mtakutana Arusha live, uso kwa uso na huyo ndio anaweza kuwa mwenyeji wako.
Kukuza Jina.
Kama hujulikani kuanzia ngazi ya wilaya, mkoa, kitaifa basi Linkedin inakupa fursa ya kujulikana siyo tu ngazi ya kitaifa bali ngazi za kimataifa. Linkedin inakufungulia dunia kuwa unachotaka.
Huhitaji kukwea pipa mpaka marekani ili ujulikane unahitaji kuandaa maudhui yako yenye mvuto, yenye kutatua tatizo fulani, yenye kufundisha au yenye kuburudisha. Kwa kufanya hivi watu watapata kukujua wewe ni nani na unafanya nini.
Hivyo itakuwa rahisi kwako kupewa fursa za kazi kutokana na kile unachokiandika LinkedIn kwa sababu watu tayari watakuwa wanakujua. Hiyo ndiyo maana ya kukuza jina Linkedin.
Watu hununua kwa watu wanaowajua. Vile watu hawaamini sana mitandao itakuchukua miezi, mwaka mpaka watu waanze kukuamini na kukupa fursa au ufanye nao kazi. Kuza jina lako mtandaoni kwanza watu wakufaamu fursa za kazi zitakuja baadae.
Kukuza uandishi wako.
Baada ya kumaliza mtihani wa mwisho chuoni suala la kuandika huishia papo hapo. Pengine uandishi kwako ni changamoto sana je, ni sehemu gani unaweza kufanya mazoezi ya kujiendeleza kuandika au kufanya uandishi wako uwe umenyooka, fasaha?
Ukiniuliza mimi nitakwambia ni linkedin, kwa nini? Kwa sababu inakupa nafasi kubwa ya kuandika maneno mengi kadri uwezavyo, kuna sehemu ya posts na newsletter ambapo unaweza kuandika na kukuza uandishi wako siyo kama ilivyo X (Twitter).
Wengi hushindwa kujitosa na kiingereza chao cha you know kisa wataonekana si wasomi sana au utasikia ni vigumu sana kukaa na kuandaa maudhui kwa kuandika, practice makes more perfect anza hivyo hivyo mwisho wa siku mambo yanakaa mkao.
Ikumbukwe: Mipaka ya lugha yako mipaka ya ulimwengu wako. Kingereza ni lugha ya kimataifa, kibiashara hivyo kwa namna yoyote ile inabidi uijue.
Kutunza kumbukumbu.
Nadhani ulishawahi kuweka kumbukumbu zako kwenye diary, notebook au kwenye application mbali mbali pia hata Linkedin yaweza kutumika kwa miradi hiyo. Ukiweka post yako kule itakaa milele mpaka utakapoamua kuifuta mwenyewe.
Muda wowote waweza kuirejea, kujikumbushia au kutunza mawazo yako kule iwe kwenye post yako au kwa kuacha comment kwenye post za watu wengine.
LinkedIn is a note taking app.
Mwisho, LinkedIn ni mtandao wenye faida kedekede hasa kwa mtu mmoja na kampuni kwa ujumla.
BOOM linatoka lini? Hili ni moja ya swali ambalo wanafunzi wanaodhaminiwa na serikali hujiuliza sana hasa wakati wanaanza shahada zao au pindi BOOM linapochelewa kutoka.
BOOM ni nini?
BOOM ni fedha ya kujikimu inayotolewa na serikali kwa wanufaika wote wa mkopo kupitia Bodi ya mikopo kwa wanafunzi wa elimu ya juu (HESLB -High Education Student’s Loans Board).
Makato ya Mshahara baada ya kuajiriwa.
Wanafunzi wengi wamekuwa wakitumia fedha hiyo yamkini hata hawajui madhira watakayokuja kukutana nayo hapo mbeleni.
Hasa asilimia kumi na tano ya makato (15%) ya mshahara wao kutoka Bodi ya mikopo HESLB mara baada ya kuajiriwa, bado hujaweka NSSF, PSSSF, kodi ya nyumba, chakula n.k
Walioko maofisini wanaelewa vizuri athari za kukatwa kwa mshahara wao kila baada ya mwisho wa mwezi. Mshahara wa laki saba ukitoa makato makato unabakiwa na laki sita. Changamoto zingine pia huwa hazikosekani.
Ninachojaribu kusema ni kwamba ewe mwanafunzi uliyeko chuo na umebahatika kupata fedha ya kujikimu ali maarufu kwa jina la BOOM, itumie vizuri muda huu kwani kuna wengine hawapewi kabisa hiyo fedha, kila kukicha wanahangaika, leo kwa mjomba kesho kwa shangazi.
Fedha hiyo inaweza kuwa msaada mkubwa katika maisha yako endapo utaitumia katika muktadha nzuri.
Cha kusikitisha wengi huwa hatujali nini kitatokea huko mbeleni ilimradi tu umepata BOOM na maisha yanaenda. “Kula bata mpaka kuku aone wivu” ni sauti kutoka kwa vijana baadhi baada ya kupata BOOM.
Usishangae sana kuona mhitimu siku anamaliza chuo hata ile pesa ya kumrudisha nyumbani hana. Haya mambo yapo.
Kila mtu ana malengo yake chuoni, usiwe bendera kufuata upepo
Ndiyo, najua kila mtu chuoni huwa ana malengo yake, yawezekana kwao zipo, yupo chuo kukamilisha ngazi za elimu. Je, wewe kijana mwenzangu kutoka ndani ndani huko Ifunde unataka uishi kama wao!.
Kuna maana gani ya kununua rundo la nguo, nguo za bei ghari wakati hata maarifa ya kukusaidia kuiishi kesho yako huna? Ni kwa kuwa BOOM limetoka au ni kwa sababu marafiki zako wanafanya hivyo?.
Wengine wanashindana kuvaa vizuri, kutafuta pisi kali (msichana) kisa wamepata BOOM. Jiulize, mpaka sasa umefanya nini cha maana kutokana na hilo BOOM unalopewa?
Kumbuka chuo ni daraja tu unapita, bado una safari ndefu ya kutembea na inawezekana hao vijana wenzako unaokula nao bata chuoni usiwaone tena katika maisha yako. Usiwe bendera kufuata upepo.
Wakati mwingine huwa ni vigumu sana kwenda kinyume na marafiki zako uliozoeana nao toka mwanzo. Lakini ukweli ni kwamba mwisho wa siku kila mtu atashika njia yake.
Chaguo ni lako uishi maisha ya kuigiza ili uendane na wenzako au ukubali kuishi maisha yako – ujikubali. Kingine, usiangalie tu miaka utakayokuwepo chuoni bali miaka baada ya kumaliza chuo.
BOOM ni mtaji.
Kama wewe ni kijana kutoka familia ya wakulima, Boom ni fedha unayoweza kuitumia kuwekeza katika kilimo, kununua ardhi, ufugaji au kuwasaidia wazazi wako kuliko kula bata chuoni.
Kununua vifaa mbalimbali vitakavyokupa sehemu ya kuanzia baada ya kumaliza chuo mfano computer, kamera, vifaa vya stationary n.k.
Jifunze maarifa mapya mtandaoni yatakayokuongezea ujuzi wa kile unachokisomea kuliko kuchoma pesa kwa ajili ya kuangalia short videos Tiktok.
Kuanzisha biashara ndogo ndogo kama kuuza karanga, vifaa vya kieletroniki, nguo au chochote kitakachokuwa ndani ya uwezo wako, maarifa utakayoyapata hapa ni sawa na mtu anayefanya internship kwenye kampuni fulani.
Internship au tarajali imekuwa ni kimbilio kubwa la vijana wengi wanaohitimu chuo baada ya kukosa kazi.
Lakini ukweli kuhusu internship, vijana wengi wamekuwa wakiamini watapewa kazi moja kwa moja baada ya muda wa internship kuisha bila kujali upande wa pili.
Hivyo wengi wanaishia kuendelea kupewa nafasi za kujitolea miaka hadi miaka. Kwa nini hawaajiriwi na ni nini hasa wanatakiwa kufanya?
Nimekusogezea mambo matano muhimu kuhusu internship.
Njia inayotumika kupata interns.
Mara nyingi nafasi za internship zinazotangazwa na makampuni hutumia njia zinazofanana sawa na zile zinazotumika kupata wafanyakazi wa kawaida japo interview zao zinatofautiana. Wote mtatuma maombi, mtaitwa kwenye interview na pengine kazi mtakazokuwa mnafanya zitakuwa ni sawa.
Kwanini mtu wa intern/volunteer usilipwe hata pesa kidogo kiasi cha kuweza kumudu maisha yako ya kila siku? Wengi huenda kujitolea kwa lengo la kupata CV, uzoefu yaani ile dhana ya ili uajiriwe mpaka uwe na experience ya mwaka mmoja au zaidi. Wanasahau thamani yao katika kufanya hizo internship.
Muda mwingine baadhi ya makampuni hayakupi pesa ya kujikimu kisa huna uzoefu wa kutosha, unajikaza kisabuni kwa imani ya kwamba siku moja utaajiriwa, kumbuka mambo yanabadilika inawezekana kazi uliyoisotea miaka ikaja kuchukuliwa na teknolojia.
Zingatia haya maswali mawili ukiwa intern, lengo lako haswa la internship ni lipi ukiachilia mbali kuajiriwa kwenye hiyo kampuni? Uhakika wa kupata kazi baada ya internship upo au utaendelea kujitolea?
Ukiona kampuni haikuajiri ng’atuka wala usiendelee kujitolea labda kama wanakulipa pesa inayokidhi mahitaji yako kipindi unajitafuta.
Muda uliowekwa kwa ajili ya internship
Internship ikidhidi miezi sita inaadha kupoteza ukweli wake yaani unaanza kuwa mfanya kazi wa bure au mwenye ujira mdogo. Makampuni mengine yanatumia mbinu hii kama fursa, utakuta mtu anajitolea miaka na miaka kisa zile pesa za kuitwa chimbo unapewa laki mbili maisha yanasonga.
Ukweli kuhusu maisha haya wengi huumia ndani kwa ndani na kuona hakuna kazi zingine za kufanya, ndugu yangu kama upo kwenye hii hali chagua moja utafute maarifa mengine yatakayokuweka mjini au uendelee kung’ang’ana na internship ambazo hufurahishwi nazo.
Dhana ya Waajiri wengi nchini
Baadhi ya taasisi na makampuni mengi nchini yamegundua internship ni njia rahisi ya kupata wafanyakazi wengi hasa wahitimu vyuo “hapa tukimweka intern si itakuwa poa”.
Ni kweli kwamba wanaohitimu mavyuoni wengi wao hawana uzoefu wa kutosha kwenye hizo kazi. Inakuwaje mtu amefanya internship halafu asiajiriwe (nidhamu mbovu au)
Maofisini kuna changamoto zake, kwa unayetamani kufanya kazi kwenye makampuni ya aina hii hauna budi kuwa na nidhamu ya hali ya juu, ujitume ili uonekane la sivyo waajiri hawana msaada na wewe.
Internship ni kwa ajili ya wanafunzi
Kwa kawaida internship inabidi ziwahusu sana wanafunzi walioko elimu ya kati na juu. Na hili jukumu si la kutegemea sana serikali, Mwanafunzi mwenyewe yampasa atafute kampuni au taasisi kwa ajili ya kujitolea (internship) kadri iwezekanavyo kabla hajahitimu. Anaweza kufanya kazi either kwa kuhudhulia mguu kwa mguu kwenye hiyo taasisi au kupitia mtandao (virtual internship).
Hii itamsaidia kupata uzoefu wa kazi ili kipindi atakapomaliza masomo asianze kuhangaika kutafuta nafasi za kujitolea bali kutafuta kazi.
Sanjali na hilo kuna kujiajiri, hapa nazungumzia uwezo wa kufanya kazi zako binafsi kwa kutumia uzoefu ulioupata mfano kuanzisha internet cafe, kufungua biashara, kusimamia mitandao ya kijamii ya kampuni husika au kutengeneza mifumo kwa watu wa coding(programming).
Je Unatakiwa kufanya nini?
Kuna njia mbili za kufanya kwa kijana unayetazamia kuiona kesho yako yenye mafanikio.
Fanya internship ambayo utakuwa unalipwa angalau kiasi fulani cha pesa huku ukiweka malengo yako sawa, usiwe mtu wa internship kila siku na ikitokea,kupata kazi kwenye makampuni imekuwa ni changamoto fikiri point ya pili.
Mjenzi wa maisha yako ni wewe mwenyewe, umetafuta kazi kwenye makampuni, taasisi na umekosa. Ni muda sasa wa kukaa na kutafakari kazi binafsi zitakazokuingizia kipato, unaweza kujaribu mtandaoni kazi za freelancing.
Hayo ndiyo mambo muhimu ya kuzingatia katika safari yako ya kuitengeneza kesho.
The narrative out there is that Africa is the next frontier for almost everything. And it is true. The question is what young professionals in the continent are doing about it?
In 2019 Mohammad Amir Anwar of the University of Edinburgh estimated that there were 120,000 African workers on Upwork, the continent’s most popular platform—fewer than in the Philippines. Most did NOT seem to be making any money. The situation for tanzanian digital freelancers is grim,
Julius P. Kessy, a digital entrepreneur from Tanzania, does not only speak Swahili, he makes money out of it. He is Tanzania’s top-rated English-to-Swahili translator on Upwork, according to a list posted by the platform. The list featured 27 top-rated EN-SW translators but there were only FOUR Tanzanians and TWELVE Kenyans!.
On why there are far fewer EN-SW Tanzanian freelancers on Upwork compared to Kenyans, Julius had this to say:
“Tanzanian youth need to be proactive. I’ve met clients who believe native Swahili is spoken in Kenya. While the owners of the language “Tanzanians” are sleeping on the opportunity. Tanzanians seeing this should wake up and tap into it.”
Dear young professionals in Tanzania, and Africa, projects are being launched in the continent. Whether you’re a language expert, social media manager, graphic designer, or software developer — you can be part of the growing digital economy in the continent.
Africa is filled with abundance!
Here are Top Five Comments Made On Why There Are Few Tanzanian EN-SW Translators On Upwork.
Michael kapinga.
“We are living in a selfish society where everyone wants to be on top of each other, unlike Kenyans and Nigerians who live in a brotherhood society. Additionally, Tanzanian youth are very lazy. Most do not like to stress themselves by looking for solutions.
For example, I have been sharing tips on Twitter about my experiences using Upwork and other freelancing platforms, as well as how to be successful as a freelancer. What I noticed is that most people need to be taught how to register themselves and cannot take the liberty of even scraping resources from the internet.
We will keep on discussing these things until youth’s mindset changes. It is a shame”.
Tonnie Mangu.
“Tanzania tatizo letu liko sehemu moja tu ukiachilia mbali “Penye miti mingi hapana wajenzi” – Social platforms tumezifanya ni za kuweka picha zetu na familia zetu, self-recording short clip video, umbea na zaidi kulike page without any piloted plan. Zama hizi tumezifanya za kujiskia kujiposti tu ili watu wa-like picha yako, then what?
Acha tuzidiwe, kujifunza social digital issues hatutaki, wacha tusahabikie Simba na yanga tu Sie… Kama hauamini, nenda insta tangaza kuwa unaanzisha program ya kufundsha digital economy na pia utangaze unagroup la discussion ya kuchambua Mpira wa hapa home uone wateja ni group lipi”.
David James.
“As an outsider looking into both Kenya and Tanzania I believe you are misjudging the situation. I have looked for and hired speakers and teachers of Kiswahili and have ended up with only Tanzanians in the shortlist!! Similarly, I have worked in the MSME sector in both Nairobi and DSM and I would not say there is a big difference between micro-entrepreneurs in either country.
Offcourse, I have come across laid-back students and graduates in both countries complaining of lack of government support for ‘ajira’ but in reality, I simply ignore them and move on to talk with those with positive growth mindsets of which there are ample examples in both countries. I make no distinction between KES and TZS or even UGX. I have no experience of Nigeria so I will let others comment on that comparative”.
Bryan Mamuya.
“I’ve been having hard time understanding how Upwork works somebody please enlighten me, I took an assignment once but I got stuck. Why? simply because as soon as I got into a conversation with the person who posted the assignment it really felt like I was talking to a robot and not an actual person so I decided to quit!”.
Young individuals has tremendous opportunities of trying many things before they turn 40s which could be better for them to discover their job early instead of succumbing finding jobs here and there, office to office while turing 40s.
The only opportunity you have is that you’re young. Take such an opportunity to learn new skills, and learn how to get things done.
It is during this time you have the chance to explore, grow, and seize opportunities that are readily available in the digital economy.
Be responsible for your age and use it as a backbone for learning new or improving your skills, positioning yourself in a way others simply cannot.
One of the most powerful aspects of youth which can not be backed is the ability to adapt and remain flexible in the rapidly changing job market coz the traditional path of obtaining a college degree may not always fit your needs.
Perception of the Current Market.
To tell a little, industries are placing emphasis on practical skills and experience rather than on those certificates. Employers look for those who can solve their problems (service providers), not job seekers and if it matters to you stop looking for a job and improve your skills instead.
Where we are heading, Employers might be employing freelancers whose job is already well known.
If the skills you have don’t match the existing market, changing can be the solution. See the conversation below.
So far, It’s now common to find a graduate eating on the same plate with the one who even doesn’t know how university looks like. The future of youth is threatening if you’re not prepared well.
This means you have the opportunity to break free from the constraints of a narrowly defined career path dictated by college credentials.
Use That Free WI-FI Well.
Let’s say your College provides you with free Wi-Fi yet you’re using it only for downloading movies. Have you already secured your future job? If not, take that opportunity to learn skills which will not only help get employed but also get to employ yourself.
Remember, there are some people who struggle the most to get that time and that free WI-FI you’re playing with.
Make preparations before the sunsets, find fun in yourself, improve it, and taste the flavor of the digital economy and that’s the way of increasing your chances of entering in an industry you have never imagined.
Many successful professionals today are living proof that passion and determination is exciting over formal certifications.
You don’t get to the promised land without going through wilderness – Martin Luther King.
Do not underestimate the impact of small sacrifices and dedicated effort that can have on your future. It is no secret that success does not come without hard work and perseverance. By considering the equation of sacrifice plus effort equals great results, you empower yourself to reach new heights.
The determination to go the extra mile, to put in the extra hours, and to continually challenge yourself, will differentiate you from the crowd. Cut off challenges, push your boundaries, and remain focused on continuous growth. It’s sad to hear, you graduate while you don’t know even the meaning of freelancing.
Gone are the days when success was solely determined by traditional qualifications obtained in college. The contemporary job market is changing at an unprecedented rate, opening doors to virtual opportunities in industries where certification may not be necessary.
People of my tongue says “Mtu amesoma journalism halafu kazi anapewa chawa” which translates to “A person studied journalism and a job is given to a sycophantic person”. Think of it.
Loan Beneficiaries
Well, I am trying to get to the point, you are a loan beneficiary from the government known by its name “BOOM” use it well, invest in categories where it might help you after ending your studies.
The young generation holds a unique advantage which never come twice. You can break free from arbitrary limitations and forge your unique path to success by taking care of time and the available resource.
Remember, it is through constant learning books, articles, courses, and other related written or wise-spoken context and using skills gained to make things happen. Learning without putting into action is like pushing a wall which doesn’t move.
