Evelyn | Ghana
Hard Times, Hustle and Hard Work
When Evelyn was 6 years old, her father passed away, leaving the family in economic turmoil. Evelyn remained at the private school where she was previously enrolled only with the help of teachers and community members who chipped in to cover the cost of books and tuition. She was a hard worker, and worth the investment, they thought. Meanwhile, food, clothing, and other basics were always scarce. Somehow their single mother found a way, but it was never easy. Evelyn was bullied by other kids whose parents had more means, so she had something to prove.
She figured, with enough hard work, she’d come out ahead. She won numerous awards and scholarships throughout her academic career and went on to graduate with a degree in economics and law.
But employers still wanted experience. “How am I supposed to have that experience when I’m just graduating school?” she wondered.
This is a refrain we hear so often from Generation graduates, who had put in the work and had followed the rules, but struggled to find gainful employment. Evelyn was entrepreneurial, so she started her own farming business and an award-winning NGO. But resources were always tight for her growing family, which included her mom, two adopted children they took in when their parents passed away, and now a husband. She finally found a customer service job, but when she had her first baby and went on maternity leave, she was pushed out of the company when they tried to transition her into a traveling sales role that was unrealistic for a new mom.
More Than a Course
When Evelyn saw the Generation Ghana Digital Marketing course, she thought she would take the opportunity to learn new skills. But what she actually received surpassed her expectations.
“It’s one thing to teach someone a course, it’s another thing getting them practically ready for the job market.” She gained a newfound confidence in her abilities. She found that during the interview phase, all the mock interviews she had been through in the program prepared her extremely well. She knew exactly what to say!
She found a full-time job within three weeks of graduation, earning three times what she was earning before.
A New Life for a Growing Family
Today, the job Evelyn found right after Generation (along with her husband’s income and continued work on the farm) means a more comfortable life for her toddler, two adopted children, and mother. For her children, it means never having to worry about the basics. Now, she can comfortably send them to the best schools and invest fully in their futures.
“Generation showed me aspects of my potential I didn’t even know existed. I am more confident about my career, and ready to take on any challenges that come my way”, she told us.