planning for the future could be complex for the final year University student. The author gives a simple narrative of arrangements that the student preparing to enter into the world of work could adopt in the preparation stage.

1. PLANNING FOR THE
FUTURE
Kwame Owusu Afram, CMC, ChPA
Ghana Communication Technology University

2. Leaving School
Career growth insight
oPreparing to enter the job market
oStrategies for finding a job
oRetaining the job
Market Realities
o Unemployment in Ghana
o Underemployment in Ghana
Social responsibilities and expectations
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3. Preparing for the future is the individuals
responsibility
1. Determination
2. Diligence
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4. LEAVING SCHOOL
What are the most important skills that students
need to prepare for the 21st century?
It is the right time to:
Encourage teamwork
Be future-focused
Develop complex thinking skills
Have an individual transition plan
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5. LEAVING SCHOOL CONT’D
 apply practical theories from the
classroom
 earn academic credit
 gain exposure to facilities not available
on campus
 develop professional skills
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6. CAREER GROWTH
INSIGHTS
After graduation, what’s next?
After school, your 85% life will be dependent
on a career
Two things:
 Find a job
 Further study
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7. Preparing for
the Job Market
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8. PREPARING FOR THE JOB
MARKET
 Steve Jobs
Your work is going to fill a large part of your life, and the only way
to be truly satisfied is to do what you believe is Great Work. And
the only way to do great work is to love what you do. If you haven’t
found it yet, keep looking, and don’t settle. As with all matters of
the heart, you’ll know when you find it.
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9.  Over 60,000 graduate every year
 Only 10% of graduates find jobs after their first year of graduating
(ISSER, 2017)
 May take 10years for all the graduates to secure jobs
 Reasons
1. Lack of unemployable skills
2. Unavailability of funding capital for entrepreneurship
3. Poor attitudes of graduates towards job opportunities
4. Low capacity of industries to absorb the huge numbers
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10. A job is a regular
remunerative
position
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11. I. job is one where you get paid for a
product or service but you have no
benefits and you don’t pay any taxes
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12. all jobs with normal hours and
regular wages, and are recognized
as income sources on which income
taxes must be paid
12

13. STRATEGIES FOR FINDING A
JOB
Conduct career aspiration discussions (i.e. swot
analysis, vision, self-assessment, goals,
alternatives, etc..)
Create career development opportunities (i.e.
education, training, additional skills, etc.)
Join Talent Communities
Join a working network
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14. ESSENTIAL TOOLS
 Competencies (KSA’s)
 Technical
 Managerial
 Personality
 Mentor/Role model
 Attitude
 CV or resume
 Transmittal letter
 Behavioural Interview
 Presentation skills
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15. SEARCH ENGINES
 Yours sincerely
Networks
 Yours faithfully
Advertisement – print & electronic media, social media (linkedin, etc)
Magazines e.g. HRFocus, etc.
Church, and other associations
 Start a business (entrepreneurship) – do something to solve a
problem
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16. HOW TO RETAIN YOUR JOB
 The only way I could succeed in my next job is to be a good worker in my current.
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17. WHAT ORGANISATIONS
LOOK FOR
Workers with attitude
Workers who can be trained on skills,
and able to adapt to new trends
Workers who are result oriented
Workers who are able to innovate
Workers who desire to succeed in a
competitive market
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19. Unemployment in Ghana
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20. Unemployment in Ghana
• Structural Unemployment : occurs because of an absence of demand
for a certain type of worker
• This type typically happens when there are mismatches between the
skills (KSA’s) employers want and the skills (competencies) that
workers have.
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22. Under-employment
• The under-use of a workers
skills, education, or availability of
work
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23. Social Responsibilities & Expectations
preparing for the future - kwame owusu afram
• Time to serve your country, community
• Pay attention to duties as a responsible citizen
• Join and influence community through associations
• Pay attention to religious activities
• Get married, and protect your family
• Leave a legacy
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25. Thank you for your attention
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