For many students, high school is a time of planning, dreaming, and imagining what life might look like once they graduate. Some hope to start a business, others plan to grow their social media presence, some aim to find a job before college, while others simply look forward to resting or continuing their studies without delay. But the question remains: do graduates actually get what they planned, or does reality take a different course?
I spoke with several recent high school graduates to understand their experiences and compare them to their expectations.
Horuhiirwa, a last-year graduate from St. Kizito TSS, shared his frustration: “I always thought that once you finish, you just get a job immediately because Kigali is a big city with many opportunities. But when I graduated, it was a different world. You sit at home, eat, and sleep. Even if you try to look for work, it’s not easy to know where to start.”
Uvuzukuri, a graduate from College Immaculate, echoed the difficulty many face: “My brother, can you believe it’s been a year without a job? All the dreams we had in high school feel like just dreams now. Some people are lucky and get jobs immediately, making money already, but I’m still hopeful because I’m young.”
Not all stories are discouraging. Iradukunda, another St. Kizito TSS graduate, found a path in entrepreneurship: “I have a small business downtown now. It’s not big yet, but at least I make some money. I never thought I could do this, but I enjoy it. I sometimes talk to my former classmates—some are studying, others working—and hearing about their progress motivates me.”
These stories show that life after high school can be unpredictable. Some graduates succeed quickly due to family connections or opportunities in established companies, while others face delays and setbacks. Yet, Rwanda continues to offer hope. With the country’s growing economy and investment in youth-focused initiatives, there are increasing opportunities for young people to find work, start businesses, and build meaningful careers.
Life after high school is a journey filled with challenges and opportunities. The experiences of these graduates show that persistence, creativity, and optimism can help young Rwandans navigate the transition from school to the world beyond, turning dreams into reality one step at a time.
