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Writer's pictureSAMUEL CHIBUNNA

How the Pandemic is Affecting Young People’s Career Plans

The coronavirus has shifted and disrupted plans of many people regarding their careers, especially those who have just graduated from college. Several industries have been paralysed by the pandemic, while a few are clinging on as best as they could.

If you are a new graduate and hoping to start your career during this pandemic, do you know how exactly this situation will affect you?

Reduced opportunities

With the pandemic hitting almost every industry, it can be quite difficult for anyone to find a job or find training opportunities. Job openings are limited, and many people, including those who were laid-off, will look after these new job offerings. Since you just graduated, getting a job can be very difficult because you don’t have the experience yet to make your application stronger.

If you want to improve your chances, it can be hard to find training courses and classes for help. Many schools and training centres limit the number of students they can accommodate to abide by the current health measures against the spread of the virus. Also, it must be noted that these services are not free of charge.

On the other hand, those scheduled for apprenticeships are most likely to be put on hold or even cancelled because of the concerns regarding the virus.

Hesitant to Go Overseas for Further Education

Aspiring students who have plans on doing their degrees or PhDs overseas to gain international exposure and experience are badly affected by the pandemic. With the international borders still shut everywhere, most students will be hesitant to travel far from their homes to pursue their dreams.

They will also be discouraged as they cannot go back home in case of emergencies without needing the compulsory tests and lengthy quarantine procedures.

Increased Uncertainty

Young people will also have to deal with the uncertainty of their future. With the reduced opportunities caused by the pandemic, some are confident that they can most probably find a job if they move to the city since it is where the “jobs” are located.

However, the majority are unsure of moving because of the challenges they might face brought by the pandemic. Those who come from low-income families or communities with poor social resources are more prone to this thinking because of their circumstances.

Apprehension on taking jobs outside their sphere

The pandemic will also develop a sense of apprehension amongst young people because of the available jobs offered. Since the virus is still continuously being studied and the potential vaccines are still incoming, many are not very keen on working on jobs that will expose them to many people. Even if the salary is good, younger people may not risk it because of their families. There is also the possibility that these jobs will only be temporary, and these younger workers may end up searching again for another job.

Conclusion

It is undeniable that the pandemic is bringing uncertainty to many of us, especially for younger people who are just starting to build a path for their future. If you are one of them, don’t hesitate to ask for help. While the road to building a career is hard because of the pandemic, there are ways to get through it if you have faith and have the right people to support you during this challenging time.

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