Many graduates are discovering that earning a degree does not always translate into the career they envisioned, sparking conversations about expectations versus reality in today’s job market.
A 28-year-old man recently went viral on social media after sharing his personal experience working in Qatar, despite holding a Bachelor’s degree in Mechanical Engineering.
His post on X has already garnered more than 1.5 million views and thousands of comments, drawing widespread attention to the struggles of educated youth navigating tough job markets.
“I have a Bachelor's degree in Mechanical Engineering. I am 28. I currently work as a security guard in Qatar. Every morning I put on my uniform and think about the version of me that graduated thinking the world was waiting,” he wrote in a heartfelt post that resonated with many Kenyans.
He recounted the daily grind of his current job, painting a vivid picture of long hours under the desert sun. “Yesterday I stood at a gate for 12 hours in the Qatar heat checking car stickers,” he shared.
Despite the physically demanding work, he said he continues to show up each day, reflecting the persistence required to navigate life’s unexpected paths.
The graduate also revealed a poignant symbol of his academic achievement that remains untouched.
“My degree is in a folder somewhere in my room, still sealed in the original envelope. I keep it because throwing it away feels like admitting something I'm not ready to admit yet,” he said.
He acknowledged the effort it took to earn his degree, even if it has not yet opened the doors he had imagined. “I wasn't the best student. But I showed up every day and earned that degree,” he wrote.
Social media users have flooded the post with reactions, sharing personal stories of underemployment, offering words of encouragement, and praising his resilience.
Many noted that his experience reflects the reality faced by numerous graduates in Kenya and beyond, where economic pressures and limited job opportunities often force young people to take roles outside their field of study.
As the Kenyan graduate concluded in his viral post, “Sometimes the world is not waiting. You just have to keep showing up anyway.”