Rev. Fr. Peter Konteh asked.
I join families and communities across Sierra Leone in celebrating the many young people who have recently graduated from our universities.
Behind every graduation gown are years of hard work, late nights, and sacrifices that few people saw. Some parents and guardians stretched already tight budgets to pay fees. Some students wondered how they would make it through another semester. And today, they can say with pride, “I made it.”
To every graduate, congratulations. You have earned this moment of joy.
Yet for many, a new struggle begins when they take off that gown. They send out applications, wait for replies, and hear the same words at interviews: “You need experience.” How does a young person gain experience if no one is willing to give them that first chance? Some spend years searching for steady work, carrying the weight of expectations from families who sacrificed so much to help them graduate.
I believe we can do more. Before young people choose a course, they deserve honest guidance about where it can lead and what skills employers need. Universities and employers can work together to make internships, practical projects, and work placements part of a student’s education. And for graduates who want to start a business, encouragement must come with practical support: mentors, training, and access to start-up funding.
If you’ve recently graduated in Sierra Leone, what has the search for work been like for you? What do you wish your university had helped you prepare for? And if you are an employer or educator, what is one thing you could do to give a young graduate a first opportunity?
I would genuinely like to hear from you in the comments. Your experience may help another young person decide what to study or find the courage to keep going.
May God bless our graduates and all those who helped them reach this day. 🇸🇱
