Why the Jobs You Expect Don’t Exist

I was sitting with a cousin of mine, just after he’d graduated from university. He was one of the brightest people I knew top of his class in economics, full of ambition, and ready to take on the world. But instead of excitement, there was frustration in his voice. “I did everything they told me to do,” he said, shaking his head. “I studied hard, got the degree, passed all the interviews. So why can’t I find a job?”

That moment stuck with me because it’s a question so many young Africans are asking. We grew up believing there was a formula for success: go to school, get good grades, and land a secure job. For years, that formula worked. But somewhere along the way, the world changed, and no one told us. The jobs we were trained for no longer exist or if they do, they look nothing like what we imagined.

The problem isn’t just about a lack of jobs; it’s about the kinds of jobs available. To understand why the jobs you expect don’t exist, you have to look at how the world of work has evolved.

Automation and Technology: Across the globe, industries are being disrupted by technology. Machines are doing jobs that once required human labor, from factory work to customer service. Artificial intelligence is replacing roles in banking, marketing, and even law. Jobs that were staples of the workforce a generation ago are now automated, streamlined, or outsourced.
Globalization: In today’s interconnected world, businesses aren’t bound by geography. Companies can outsource tasks to wherever it’s cheapest or most efficient. This means many traditional roles are either consolidated into fewer jobs or moved to entirely different markets.
The Digital Economy: New industries are emerging tech startups, content creation, and e-commerce. But these jobs don’t fit the mold of what many of us were prepared for. They require different skills, a different mindset, and, often, a willingness to take risks.
Population Growth vs. Job Creation: In Africa, the population is growing faster than the economy can create jobs. Each year, millions of young people enter the workforce, but the traditional job market can’t keep up. There simply aren’t enough seats at the table.

Our education system plays a big role in this disconnect. For decades, it has prepared students for a world of structured, predictable careers. The problem is, that world no longer exists. Employers aren’t looking for people who can just follow instructions they want problem-solvers, innovators, and people who can adapt to change. But instead of teaching these skills, many schools still focus on rote memorization and exam performance.

The result is a generation of graduates who feel betrayed. They followed the rules and checked all the boxes, and yet, the jobs they were promised were either gone or unreachable. It’s not their fault it’s the system that hasn’t caught up with the times.

What We Can Do About It

The good news is, that while the traditional job market may be shrinking, opportunities are growing in unexpected places. But to take advantage of them, we need to shift our mindset and adapt to the new reality.

Stop Waiting, Start Creating: The days of waiting for someone to hand you a job are over. The future belongs to those who create their own opportunities. This could mean starting a small business, freelancing, or building a digital career. It doesn’t have to be perfect; it just has to be yours.
Learn New Skills: The jobs of the future require skills like coding, digital marketing, content creation, and data analysis. The good news is, you don’t need a degree to learn them. Platforms like Coursera, Udemy, and LinkedIn Learning offer affordable courses to get you started.
Embrace Flexibility: The traditional nine-to-five isn’t the only way to work. Remote jobs, gig work, and project-based roles are becoming more common. Learn to adapt to different work environments and explore opportunities beyond your immediate surroundings.
Solve Problems, Don’t Just Look for Roles: Instead of looking for job titles, look for problems you can solve. Every community has needs whether it’s better transportation, access to affordable food, or creative ways to market small businesses. If you can solve a problem, you’ll always have work.

I think about my cousin often. At first, he struggled with the realization that the job he expected didn’t exist. But once he let go of that expectation, something incredible happened. He started thinking differently. He took a short course in web development, started building websites for small businesses in our community, and eventually launched his own digital marketing agency. Today, he’s not just working he’s thriving.

The world of work is changing, and we can’t keep clinging to old expectations. Yes, it’s challenging. Yes, it’s scary. But it’s also an opportunity a chance to create something new, to define success on our own terms, and to build careers that reflect the reality of today’s world.

The jobs you expect might not exist, but that doesn’t mean your future is limited. If anything, it’s wide open. The key is to stop waiting, start learning, and take bold steps toward what’s possible. The opportunities are out there. They just might look different from what you imagined and that’s not a bad thing.