Young Graduates Turn to Online Hustles Amid Rising Unemployment.
For years, graduation ceremonies have symbolized hope and success, marking the onset of promising careers for countless families. However, the dream of a stable job has grown increasingly elusive for many young graduates in Kenya.
Widespread unemployment has driven these individuals to explore alternative income sources, particularly through online platforms. Many now create content such as photography and dance videos in their quest for financial stability. Interestingly, a significant number of these content creators hold university degrees.
In Kisii County, 24-year-old Ogetto Enock, a film studies graduate, has turned to online hustles after failing to secure formal employment. He acknowledges the challenges of finding a job and how the situation has forced him to seek alternative means of earning a living through the internet.
“It’s tough. We’ve studied, but there are no jobs. We have to hustle online,” says Ogetto.
Similarly, accounting graduate Enock Kibet has resorted to street photography as a survival strategy. His education in accounting has not translated into job opportunities, leading him to take up this unconventional line of work.
Mary Ann, a TikTok content creator, highlights her reliance on gifts from the platform and the pursuit of endorsements to sustain herself financially.
This shift is not confined to Kisii; cities like Nairobi are experiencing a similar trend. While many graduates continue to hope for traditional 9-to-5 jobs, others have found success online.
TikTok influencer Edwin Enock Otieno, a third-year student at JKUAT, is among those thriving on the platform. Otieno’s earnings from TikTok often surpass what he would make in a regular full-time job.
He describes how purchasing a camera opened up opportunities to create client videos and collaborate with dancers who pay him for his content. Despite still being a student, his online ventures have become a lucrative alternative to traditional employment.
TikTok Success Stories
The rise of TikTok has provided a lifeline for many, including Nairobi-based dance group Team Blaze Kenya. The group has discovered how to earn money through gifts sent by followers, which they convert into cash. Team member Spin Syco explains that the group creates dance videos and other content to engage their audience.
Fellow dancer King Jaydey shares how he received a significant monetary gift of 94,000 KES on his birthday, showcasing the platform’s potential as an income source. Sandra McCp, another TikTok dancer, notes that social media offers numerous opportunities to earn a living.
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This growing trend reflects a broader movement among young graduates, who are increasingly steering away from traditional employment to embrace online work as their primary source of income.
It underscores the innovative ways these individuals are adapting to a challenging job market and redefining their career paths.
Young Graduates Turn to Online Hustles Amid Rising Unemployment
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