Pasteur Ombaki graduated with a first-class degree in information technology and hoped to land a lucrative scholarship abroad. That has not happened, eight months later.
"Throughout my college days, I thought that scholarship and a job were certain for first-class achievers," the graduate of the Technical University of Mombasa said.
"In fact, after graduation, I talked with the director of our department to help me get one, but none has come so far. I have also been applying for other scholarships abroad, but I end up giving up as they have long, complex processes that wear out my patience."
Ombaki attributes the disappointment of top achievers in his former university to a long-held belief that scholarships are dished out to the crème de la crème upon graduation.
"Today, if you go to TUM, almost every student thinks that whoever gets first-class honours is given a scholarship and a job, but the reality is different," he said.
Ombaki said when scholarships failed to materialise and time was flying, he retreated to his rural home in Kisii for a break.
"I grew weary of staying in Mombasa without a job, and the scholarships that I was chasing were not forthcoming. So I returned home to seek a new direction," he said.
In September, he decided to reach out to one of his former classmates on campus, and that step proved to be a Midas touch.
"There is this friend who was working while we were still studying. On this particular day, I called him and told him of my situation," he said.
"Interestingly, it happened that at that moment when I called, he knew of a company which was hiring. I sent him my documents and days later, I was called for an interview. We were three and I alone sailed through."
Since last month, Ombaki has been working in the shipping company, where he is still on probation before his employment is confirmed. However, he still longs to work in an IT firm or job.
"I have always wanted to be a networking admin and deal with computer servers and the like, but for now, I will work with what I have, though it has only a little IT application," he said.
He advises university students to work hard in class and aim to score the best of grades. In addition, he advises graduates to be patient with themselves and stay hopeful while trying.
"I believe that good performance has its place in life and thus students should give their best. In God's time, things will fall into place," he said.
Edited by T Jalio
