Career matters: Don’t Put All Your Eggs in One Basket

By Brian Maregedze

In the past year, I was invited to speak on Career matters and specific subjects in the humanities by a number of schools, namely, Kwenda High School, Howard Mission, St Columba’s High in Honde Valley, Seke 1 High school, Seke 4 High school, Seke 5 High School, Cranborne Boys High school, His Mercy Christian College, George Stark among others around the country. Due to circumstances beyond my control in certain scenarios, I didn’t manage to visit other schools from which invitations were made available, apologies. Questions on programmes to pursue after excelling at advanced level were averagely not many as some students doubted their potential, some were worried about their financial background but the reality has now knocked on every candidate who sat for the 2018 advanced level public examinations. Results are out, what next? In the past week, I have received over 100 WhatsApp messages and calls from different students in different parts of the country enquiring about the “proper degree” to apply for, some are still making efforts to have access to their results due to some pending issues with their respective schools, whilst there is crisis of expectation for a number of reasons. To those who are heart-broken and still in disbelief, I believe this blog post is for you. Parents/guardians, teachers and candidates had their various positive expectations. What can be done as some of those dreams haven’t materialized?

I have previously written on some programs offered by the University of Zimbabwe in the Faculty of Arts, department of History (https://humanitiesspecialists.blogspot.com/2017/07/history-major-career-opportunities.htm? and department of Economic History (https://humanitiesspecialists.blogspot.com/2017/12/economic-history-degree-to-pursue.html?). For more information, it’s vital to use the link; www.uz.ac.zw/index.php/faculties-units/arts/208-arts-programmes, for full details on entry requirements to the University of Zimbabwe.

Therefore, I encourage readers to utilise this opportunity to revisit the posts so that one is assisted in making a wise decision on career matters. It’s no doubt that thinking of the degree you want to pursue without the result slip and with-the result slip are two different contexts.
Firstly, I say congratulations to all those who are happy with their deserved hard work. As a University of Zimbabwe (UZ) alumni, I can only remind and or inform potential UZ candidates that undergraduate programmes now have one intake which is in August.

In the past two years, UZ had embarked on a two intake recruitment approach which they eventually dropped. However, this does not stop potential candidates to start applying for the career programmes of their choice. This is the time to apply. Make hay while the sun shines if you have collected your results. The application form is only $20. The pass rate for the 2018 November public examinations is 81.9% and this implies that competition for places at the most prestigious university in Zimbabwe do exist.

As long as you passed particular subjects, it follows that you have your place at tertiary level. You can still pursue your studies. I have also engaged with some students who think they can add up their grades cum June 2019 to cover up for the 2018 November public examinations which may not have materialized as expected. The will to push ahead and never give up under tough circumstances defines and shapes our capacity to be responsible citizens. Focusing on that which one desires to attain remains our primary goal.

I understand that whenever one submits an application form, options are offered. It is advisable to apply programmes that raise your chances for acceptance rather than to apply for a programmes which demands higher grades than those you have. This step actually destroys your chances of having a place at the university and a wastage of resources takes shape. Paying a visit to UZ is a MUST so that you avoid many myths about the academy that some students have. My high school tours in some parts of the country through workshops as a resource person helped me to listen to some of the views that some students have, which may be misleading. As such, I encourage potential UZ candidates to apply and live their dreams. Above all, if your first option didn’t materialize in terms of grades, it’s also possible to try other options- DON'T PUT ALL YOUR EGGS IN ONE BASKET

Brian Maregedze is an author, historian and columnist. Email; bmaregedze@gmail.com
Mobile details; +263779210440.