Why graduates must change their approach to employment

Education experts in Tanzania are warning university graduates that academic degrees are insufficient for the modern labor market. They emphasize the need for professional networking, digital skills, and strong personal values to secure employment.
Why it matters
It addresses the growing gap between traditional higher education and the practical demands of a technology-driven global economy.
Dar es Salaam . As thousands of young Tanzanians prepare to leave colleges and universities this year, education experts and youth development advocates are warning that a degree alone is no longer enough to secure employment in an increasingly competitive and technology-driven labour market.
The warning comes as many graduates continue to enter the job market with expectations that do not match the realities of available opportunities, while others attempting to earn a living through online businesses and freelancing struggle to establish strong professional brands.
Speaking during the Career Development Project Summit 2026 organised by Save Youths Dreams Foundation, Project Manager Winny Kaaya said there was a growing need to expose students to employers, entrepreneurs and professionals before they completed their studies.
She said many young people finished university with limited understanding of what employers expected, the importance of professional networking and the opportunities available outside traditional formal employment.
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