Episode 2. Your DREAMS and Aspirations | Ndoto na Matamanio

In this second episode of #FutureYangu is all about learning about our inner selves.  Students will explore their values, interests, and personalities as this is an important starting point for their journey into the of world of work. The episode invites them to start exploring their dreams and aspirations as pointers to different pathways they can pursue in the world of work and how these match professions. 

They are also encouraged to identify their support network and explore how to manage parents’ expectations. Discussions are sparked by the testimonial and personal story of Frida, and how her early passion for accounts and fashion design guided her career choices. 

The activity in this episode is for the students to do a self-assessment exercise, designed to guide them in exploring their dreams and aspirations by looking inward and exploring areas of their own talent, personality traits, interests, and core values.

Episode 3. What is the labor market? | Soko la Ajira

In this episode #FutureYangu will help students take a broad view of the world of work in Tanzanian while exploring the meaning of the labour market and different work sectors. Why so many people work in the informal sector, as hustlers, and do not have the security of formal employment, is explained. 

The guest in the studio sharing his testimonial is Mageta, who works as a mechanical technician after training at VETA.  He explains how he wanted to go to Technical College to become an Engineer but did not perform well in secondary school so ended up on the vocational training pathway. It turned out to be a good choice, he now has practical qualifications and secured full employment in the manufacturing sector which is expanding in Tanzania. 

The activity in this episode requires participants to absorb key concepts; first, the different characteristics and contrasts of the formal and informal sectors. Second, understanding the reason for the existing employability skills gap in the Tanzania’s labour market.

Episode 4. Finding a profession | Uchaguzi wa Taaluma

In this #FutureYangu episode the focus is to help students realize that there are many professions in different sectors, with different skills and work tasks. They should not only focus on the ‘top level’ ones as there are many supporting roles at different levels in all sectors. 

In this episode Maliki shares his testimonial, he had a ‘calling’ and aspired to become a medical doctor. But his performance in secondary school was not good enough and he felt demoted until he was advised that there were many different health care careers that he could pursue. Eventually he found an education pathway into the health sector; he was admitted to nursing and midwifery school and later found both employment and work satisfaction.  

The activity in this episode requires students to explore and identify different sources of information and ways to discover and learn more about professions and educational pathways required to pursue those professions.

Episode 5. Secondary school performance | Natokaje Form 4

In this #FutureYangu episode we explore the secondary school system in Tanzania, the culture, core values and how the performance system works. Some students face challenges to complete their Form 4, some may not see the relevance and girls may be challenged by menstruation, even pregnancy leading to drop out. 

We meet Laisha in the studio in this episode who shares her personal story. She is a teacher in a government secondary school. Teaching jobs are in demand and will be more so in the future as the education sector in Tanzania expands to cater for the growing youth generation. Laisha is also a counsellor and the mentor for the extracurricular Fema clubs and believes in supporting students with life skills, encouraging them to participates in club work, she believes this enhances academic performance. A key message to the students is that it is important to get their Form 4 Certificate, it is their ‘ticket’ to future education pathways. Yet we need to dispel the negativism around failing as well as repeating. There is no failing in life, you must move on and try again! Teachers must also give more value to vocational training and short courses as an option for the students who do not end up with top divisions. 

The activity in this episode requires students to share with each other different studying techniques and helpful tactics in preparing for exams in order to boost performance and get their Form 4 Certificate.

Episode 6. Choosing Education Pathway | Naingiaje Kitaa

In this #FutureYangu episode we will explore the different education pathways that can be taken after completing secondary school. High school or A levels or choosing vocational and technical collages for further training are options. When students have narrowed down the professions and type of jobs they aspire to and they have a more realistic assessment of themselves and their qualifications, they are ready for the next steps. This episode will assist the students understand what sort of technical and vocational colleges are out there, what sort of courses that are offered, what pass marks are need for entry and the fees and costs involved. 

In this episode we meet Richard, who shares the personal story of how he has built his career and at a young age become the manager at a recycling plant. He dreamt of becoming a scientist but went to a poor ward secondary school where there were meager teaching facilities. He ended up with division 4 and was not selected for any further education. He was frustrated but decided to work hard, get exposure by doing apprenticeships, short courses at VETA, save money and build himself up bit by bit. 

The activity in this episode requires students to practically fill in a sample SELform in order to gain familiarity with it and start preparing or figuring out their choices for the actual SELform. This form is a key instrument used by government authorities to allocate students into different government schools and education pathways after form IV based on their performance.

Episode 7. Soft skills are life skills | Ujuzi Wezeshi

In this #FutureYangu episode we shall explore what it means to have soft skills or life skills as part of work readiness skills, and how such skills will help students prepare to enter the world of work and any other life situation.  

Work readiness skills means having both hard skills and soft skills as both are necessary to be successful in the workplace. Hard skills are technical skills, knowledge specific to a job task or profession, they are acquired though education, training, or work experience.  Soft skills are life skills like positive thinking, problem-solving, critical thinking and stepping up to leadership. Students learn these skills by engaging in activities, planning events for clubs, discussing different opinions and solutions and accepting that there can be different ways of solving a problem. Soft skills are more difficult to develop than hard skills, a person needs to practice them in the real world with others and while they come naturally to some others have more difficulties in acquiring them.

In this episode Leo shares his personal story of how he developed soft skills, particularly leadership skills by taking up leadership roles in school; in the student government as head boy and as the leader of the school’s Fema club. His experiences in school have benefitted him in his professional life, he is now a leader in his local branch of CCM, and he is an academic master in the school where he teachers.  

The activity in this episode requires students to share with each other available opportunities to gain or develop soft skills within their daily activities or routines both at school, like sports, school leadership, and at home and how they can capitalise on them.

Episode 8. Mental health | Afya ya Akili

In this #FutureYangu episode we explore mental health and what skills we need to manage ourselves and the many expectations placed on us by other people and ourselves. Our way of coping influences our opportunities. Growing up and going through puberty entails many stress factors for youth that affect their bodies, their behaviors, emotions, and mental health. 

In this episode we meet Di who shares her testimonial of how she has suffered from depression and feelings of being rejected. Her dreams and aspirations for a career have so far ended in disappointment. At school she faced corporal punishment and bullying. Such stressors affected her mental wellbeing as well as her academic performance. Learning to deal with such conditions is vital, and talking to someone, sharing one’s story is therapy. 

The presenters discuss with whom we should do this and point out that after finishing school many youths experience emotional challenges as they are not prepared for the real world, they have not been taught how to self-regulate, to be independent, critical thinkers. It can be an overwhelming feeling to be ‘out on your own’ and expected to manage one’s own life.  In this episode we remind students to have realistic plans and manage their expectations. If plan A fails, they should be open minded to switch to other plans.

The activity in this episode invites students to explore and identify coping mechanisms that may be helpful in managing or dealing with different stressors and unpleasant emotions like anxieties triggered by violence, relationships, exams, or expectations in order to be able to remain focused in school even during emotionally tough times.

Episode 9. Managing Money | Usimamizi wa Fedha

In this #FutureYangu podcast episode we will focus on the three ‘Ms’ of financial education 
Making money, managing money, multiplying money. Everyone should, as early as possible, acquire financial skills and knowledge that will allow them to make informed decisions about money, where you get it and what you use it for.  

In this episode we meet Dr Judy who is a lecturer of business and entrepreneurship at University of Dar es Salaam. She shares her story of how she early suffered the loss of her mother yet was put to work by relatives to run a small business when she was still a child. She suffered mentally from isolation and lack of care but decided early on that she would not make that define her. She worked hard to finish school and was able to use her childhood experiences to her benefit to become an expert on entrepreneurship and business management.  

Her message is that it is important to understand that we are our own makers, we all need to be independent, support ourselves and engage in income generating activities. Her message is always start small, save money, and build your own business.  

The activity in this episode requires each student to set up a daily budget which includes their income like pocket money, their costs like transport, meals, and other expenses while at school and a savings plan as a way for them to learn how to manage money.

Episode 10. Digital skills | Natokaje Kidijitali

In this #FutureYangu episode we will elaborate on the use of digital technology, the internet and social media which is evolving and spreading quickly in Tanzania. Digital skills and digital literacy has become essential for youth to make it in the global world of work. There are already demands and expectations on employees to have basic digital skills, and this makes youth more employable in any sector. 

In this episode we meet Shadrak who shares his personal story with the presenters. He did not perform well in school but was not ready to give up. He started interning and assisting in his brother’s clothing business. There he was able to learn marketing by using computers and gain some IT skills and knowledge of graphic design programs. As he had a passion for art since childhood, he was able to channel his interest into a career in graphic design using social media platforms for promotion. He started small and still works as a freelance. Shadrak’s message is that there is a huge emerging market for IT specialists in Tanzania, as it is one of the fastest growing professions and used in many different sectors.

The activity in this episode invites students to share with each other different available opportunities to learn more and gain digital skills within their schools or surroundings such as accessing smart phones while at home, exploring internet cafes and making use of computer labs at school if available.

Episodes 11. Finding employment | Kaa mkao wa Kazi

In this #FutureYangu podcast episode, the focus is on what other things students can do to improve their work readiness. All students can start gaining experiences, skills and gain exposure to different work environments. This can be done by volunteering in community activities, in a church group, or organize activities with fellow youth in Fema clubs at school, and so on. This will add to their credibility and expand their networks. Doing an internship or taking on an apprenticeship in a local work place is also valuable. 

In this episode Majuka shares his testimonial. Coming from a traditional Masai community, with few resources, he struggled to build his career. He has done many different things to build his versatile skill set, one thing has led to the other. After secondary school he started out working as a security guard and this helped him generate income. At night while on the job, he made Masai jewelry and with the income he saved so that he could attend his first IT training which then kick started his career. He was good at technology and ended up getting a job as a radio technician. Throughout his career Majuka has volunteered and started community support groups and promoted education for the Masai people, it has helped him expand his network and this has generated many jobs. He has had employment but has also worked for long periods of time as a freelancer.   

This episode also explores the job search techniques that students need to develop, using the newspapers or the internet to access job search portals to learn about recruitment and how job opportunities are advertised. Mobilizing personal networks of friends and family is also important.  

The activity in this episode is for students to write up a resume by simply summing up their experiences, talents, personality traits and core values in a written form as part of branding or promoting themselves to be considered for different job opportunities.

Episode 12. Entrepreneurship and business startup | Natokaje Kijasiriamali

In this #FutureYangu episode we focus on what youth need to do to start income generating activities. Many service providers work as freelancers or consultants. The reason for this is that many business start-ups are small scale in nature and operate informally. They are not ready for registration; it usually takes time for a business to mature and live up to the demands of a formally registered business. There are many formal governments regulations to be followed and it can be costly. The message in this episode is - Start small Start with what you like, Start with what you have, Start where you are. And do what you can! 

In this episode we meet Piazisy a small-scale entrepreneur who has set up a small business making liquid soap. She had permeant employment as a secretary but was sexually harassed in the workplace and wanted to be in control of her own time. She decided to leave when she understood that she could earn more on her small-scale business. Pazisy took a training course at SIDO and now multitasks, produces and sells the soap herself. She explains that she has no problem selling her soap, there is a huge market and need for soap out there. She earns enough to keep herself well, but the challenge is to take the business to the next level.  She is not ready to register the business yet. 

The activity in this episode requires students to creatively look at their surroundings to spot different challenges and market opportunities then use that to formulate a business idea.  Business ideas have to make business sense to be successful.