Technology, Youths, and Jobs

Technology’s impact on jobs for Kenyan youths.

 

Disclaimer: This article is meant for those who have a high-risk appetite; those willing to risk their monthly salaries for unpredictable gigs. We understand that people have different personalities; some prefer to settle for employment as it gives them peace of mind, and they deliver on their tasks to the best of their abilities. However, some prefer to take a different route – freelancing or consulting. This article is meant for the former group, however, both groups can benefit from it.

 

A significant percentage of our grandparents spent their adulthood living in the countryside tilling the land, rearing domesticated animals, and raising our parents. Those who were employed worked as public servants and earned a relatively small monthly salary. Most of them believed that their sources of wealth were livestock, land, monthly salaries, and, in some communities, the number of children.

 

Since that era, things have greatly evolved. These days, our parents and us strive to build wealth by investing in stocks, government bonds, money market funds, buying lands, and cryptocurrencies, among others.

 

Our generation is taking it even further by reimagining the employment sector. Although it’s true that a lot of young people do not have stable sources of income, and that government should open up the market and provide more job opportunities for its citizens, it’s safe to say that those who have dedicated themselves to learning digital skills are better positioned for job opportunities.

 

Technology has fueled economic growth, improved living standards, and opened up avenues to new and better kinds of jobs. For example, we don’t have to break our backs tilling land in the countryside. The activity takes so much effort and time, and often the output turns out to be demoralizing. As a result, one would rather apply to work at Sama to annotate data for artificial intelligence algorithms. Especially, if one lives in urban areas such as Nairobi, Nakuru, Kisumu, or Mombasa.

 

Sama allows “consultants” to work from the comfort of their homes. As a Sama consultant, all you need is a laptop, a small room to act as your office space, and a stable internet connection.

 

As a consultant, once you have met your contractual obligations, you are free to leave the company and find other similar or related job opportunities elsewhere.

 

At times, depending on your flexibility, discipline, and determination, you may be contracted to work for company A for a few hours. This leaves you with the choice of applying for and securing another job at company B.

 

Some people choose to make use of online freelance platforms such as Upwork and Fiverr for short-term jobs such as video editing, 2D and 3D animations, graphic design, web design, web development, writing, and social media marketing, among others.

 

Rental business stalls are expensive. But thanks to the internet, people are opening online stores to sell their products and services. Launching online an store (e-commerce website) using content management systems (such as WordPress, Squarespace, or Wix) is simple and affordable. E-stores coupled with vigorous social media marketing are proven ways for SMEs to tap into new markets (the online community) while minimizing their operating costs.

 

Also, some social media platforms – such as Instagram, Facebook, and WhatsApp Business – allow SMEs to set up online stores to display their products. In addition, as opposed to expensive traditional marketing channels such as billboards, digital media channels have more reach and cost less.

 

Creatives – sculptors and painters – can set up online stores to sell their pieces. They can also explore the NFT world and mint their pieces on blockchain networks.

 

Writers can set up blogs and integrate AdSense to monetize their articles.

 

As technology continues to revolutionize the world’s different industries, it’s upon us as young people to be on the lookout for the new opportunities being created. So stay updated and work on your craft.

 

As Abel Mutua shared in a recent episode of MRX Guest Talk, showbiz compliments artistry while clout-chasing has nothing to do with artistry. It is therefore important to sharpen your preferred digital skill(s) as you position yourself for future digital job opportunities.

What's the difference between clout-chasing and showbiz? @MutuaAbel explains in this clip from last week's episode of #MRXGuestTalk series. pic.twitter.com/grmGw7heQe

— MRX To The World. (@MRX2TheWorld) October 24, 2022

Lastly, meditate on these sentiments by Alvin Toffler:

“The illiterate of the 21st century will not be those who cannot read and write, but those who cannot learn, unlearn, and relearn.”