Reasons why some jobs are despised

Some people will refuse to teach due to the poor pay or lack of structures. FILE PHOTO  

In Summary

Need to work. With the job space ever decreasing as there are numerous graduates year in year out, there is need for people to stop despising jobs.

Youth unemployment in the country stood at 62 per cent, according to a report by ActionAid. The main reason for the high rate, however, could be pegged to the fact that some unemployed people despise certain jobs, among other reasons, something that definitely need to reconsidered
“Most despised jobs are ‘blue collar’ yet in most cases that is where the money is, with a bit of independence. White collar jobs usually have the comfort,” says Mr Amoni Kitooke, heritage programme office for Cross Cultural Foundation of Uganda.

But why some jobs are despised?
Ideally, most people wouldn’t want to take up certain jobs because of low or poor payments.
“Despising jobs could be because of the stereotypes attached to them. For instance, in Uganda many people think being a teacher is because you had no better options because no one thinks you can deliberately choose a job that pays peanuts compared to the workload,” says Ms Susan Itamba, a teacher.
Due to stereotype, some people will count on white collar jobs and ignore casual jobs which are in some cases more rewarding.

“Some jobs will be ignored because they are probably below one’s qualification,” says Mr Anthony Busiku, a sales executive, Newrest Inflight Services, Uganda.
Mr Busiku advises that one knows the reality of the job market. “No job should be despised because as long as you have your academic credentials intact, these jobs will only serve as stepping stones to greater heights”.
Some people believe that certain jobs are for a particular age group or class and sex. For instance receptionists are assumed to be females. Men therefore shun such jobs.

Attitude
Common among graduates, as long as the job is not in line with their area of study, they will flout it. A church choir member will shun working in a bar while a graduate will dread cleaning jobs.

Poor or low pay
Professionally, a number of people will despise jobs mainly because of poor pay.
“But even then, there are jobs that create limited or little allowance for career growth. For instance a secretary will have low chances of advancing into other positions that are higher than their posting,” says Ms Joan Tusubira, the programme implementation manager, Building Tomorrow, stating that this is because there is little space in terms of growth.

Most fresh graduates will find it hard to fend for themselves and will therefore target highly paying jobs which are hard to get with zero or negative experience.
“Graduates are many and need to start off with a good salary to cater for transport to and from work plus other basic needs. They will look at some jobs as time wasters,” highlights Ms Tusubira.

Experience and background
Also, people with very high job profiles and very ‘heavy’ CVs will despise certain positions. Usually, such people have very high salary expectations and will not settle for less.
“Depending on the roles and responsibilities you are going to play. Some could be at a very low level yet you have been at a higher level. Some do not have clear reporting lines. If they happen to be clear, they will strain you,” says Mr Paul Wayero, manager, Save the Children/MEAL consultant.

He notes that in most cases, jobs advertised, both in print and online indicate salary scales. They my state a salary scale which doesn’t match your previous salary. Those highly educated also think that they can only get a job that matches their profession and tend to dispose jobs that do not require academic theorems.

Ignorance
Some people think that certain jobs are demeaning yet they are actually highly paying. For example an office attendant in Uganda Revenue Authority (URA) earns more than some primary school teachers.
Certain job descriptions make the job look so experienced such that they can hire an experienced person. It’s therefore imperative for one to look through their networks and make inquiries to know the work the work dynamics of that organisation.

Mr Wayero cautions, “Different organisations have a way of coiling job titles to fit the objectives. You will find that an officer in one organisation is an equivalent of a manager in another and ignore due to apply due to ignorance,” he advises.

Location
Some jobs are located very far from family and in hard to reach areas that one needs to weigh alternatives. A number of people will not give a second look at adverts with posts upcountry. In case one lives in Kampala (central), they will be reluctant to apply for a job in Northern, Western or Eastern Uganda.

Mr Kitooke says one needs to define their destination the moment they think about taking up a particular job.
“Is it for career development, solving immediate need for money, doing charity work, a transitional step to another job-what exactly do you want to achieve? Then he or she will be able to withstand all the hiccups he or she will meet in the course,” he says.

He adds; some people lack self-motivation and they don’t see any purpose of their hard work, they believe work in a particular sector will not yield a substantial outcome inform of personal satisfaction and income.
Mr Mark Bwiire, CEO, Act Now cautions, “What will be left for those who despise jobs will be desperation in the long term without any experience on any job”.

To the many graduates and the non-graduates too, he advises that it is more fulfilling to find something to earn you a penny and the courage to get to a job makes you discover much more while there, who knows you could be promoted as quickly as your efforts show to earn more than you expected”.