2 answers
Nkosingiphile
Student
1
Question
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Recent graduate looking for career guidance and advice on what to do next
Hello, I need career guidance. I recently obtained my qualification in Logistics this year (2025) and I applied for Bachelors of Education for 2026 because I'm worried of not finding a job within my qualification and then I'll have a qualification with no job so I opted for plan b which is the B Ed while I still have time because all I'm looking for is financial stability for myself in the near future. I also regret not doing B Ed as my first qualification because, in my opinion, I think it is rare, not impossible, for teaching graduates to not find employment after completion especially if they need to adhere to certain funding requirements.
The advice i need here is that should I wait for 2027 to start B Ed or should I go for it next year 2026 as I had planned, pay registration fee and on campus residence deposit, then apply for funding throughout the year? My application for Funza Lushaka is pending. Should I try other bursaries as I'm studying or should I try finding internships with my Logistics diploma? I'm scared of waiting; all I want is employment, financial stability, financial independence and move at home which is why I have the B Ed as plan B?
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2 answers
Chinyere Okafor
Educationist and Counseling Psychologist
1185
Answers
Port Harcourt, Rivers, Nigeria
Updated
Chinyere’s Answer
Hi Nkosingiphile,
First, take a breath. I can tell you're being responsible and not indecisive because you're considering stability, employability, and timing so carefully. Recent graduates often feel similar emotions, particularly when money is limited and there is genuine pressure to "not waste time."
Let's take a broad view and examine this rationally rather than emotionally.
1. Regarding teaching as a stability hedge, you are correct.
Your gut feeling is based on reality. Education degrees provide more obvious career paths than certain general diplomas in many areas, particularly with bursary-backed pipelines like Funza Lushaka. Uncertainty is decreased since teaching can often be regulated, structured, and connected with job demand. Therefore, selecting BEd as a backup plan is risk management rather than a failure.
However, since this is a long-term commitment, timing is important.
2. Don't jump into BEd before using up all of your logistics leverage.
Here is an important question to ask before committing to residency deposits, registration costs, and financial strain in 2026:
- Have you carefully analyzed the logistics job market?
This is the best course of action if the response is negative:
- In 2025–2026, actively seek for internships, learnerships, graduate trainee programs, and entry-level positions in logistics.
Give yourself a specific time frame (e.g., six to nine months) to determine whether your qualification can result in income.
This is market validation, not "waiting around."
If logistics are successful, you will earn money, get experience, and become independent.
If it doesn't, you approach BEd with confidence rather than anxiety.
3. Which is the better strategy, 2026 or 2027?
Here is a useful framework based on what you mentioned:
BEd in 2026 makes sense IF
- You are able to obtain funds (Funza Lushaka or another bursary) or you are able to afford your first year's expenses without incurring long-term debt.
And despite persistent effort, logistics job prospects continue to be unresponsive.
It is wiser to wait until 2027. IF: You would have to take on stressful debt or irregular deposits if funding is uncertain.
You haven't thoroughly explored internships and placements in logistics yet.
It is better to start later with clarity rather than earlier in a panic.
4. Funding plan (avoid depending just on one door)
Don't put all of your hope in Funza Lushaka, even though you're doing the right thing.
When submitting an application:
- Explore NSFAS (if applicable) and provincial education bursaries.
- Institutional or private scholarships linked to the teacher shortage
- Once enrolled, certain universities provide internal teaching funds.
Continue applying for paid logistics internships and learnerships at the same time. You can gain confidence and breathing room even with short-term contracts.
5. Reframing the fear (this is important)
You're not "behind."
You're not making a poor decision.
You're reacting to uncertainty in a logical manner.
Your true goals are freedom and predictable income, not a degree. That is a valid goal.
Don't jump into BEd in 2026 just out of fear; instead, actively pursue logistical possibilities over the coming months.
As a safety precaution, keep BEd applications and bursaries open.
Make decisions based on facts rather than fear.
Best wishes!
First, take a breath. I can tell you're being responsible and not indecisive because you're considering stability, employability, and timing so carefully. Recent graduates often feel similar emotions, particularly when money is limited and there is genuine pressure to "not waste time."
Let's take a broad view and examine this rationally rather than emotionally.
1. Regarding teaching as a stability hedge, you are correct.
Your gut feeling is based on reality. Education degrees provide more obvious career paths than certain general diplomas in many areas, particularly with bursary-backed pipelines like Funza Lushaka. Uncertainty is decreased since teaching can often be regulated, structured, and connected with job demand. Therefore, selecting BEd as a backup plan is risk management rather than a failure.
However, since this is a long-term commitment, timing is important.
2. Don't jump into BEd before using up all of your logistics leverage.
Here is an important question to ask before committing to residency deposits, registration costs, and financial strain in 2026:
- Have you carefully analyzed the logistics job market?
This is the best course of action if the response is negative:
- In 2025–2026, actively seek for internships, learnerships, graduate trainee programs, and entry-level positions in logistics.
Give yourself a specific time frame (e.g., six to nine months) to determine whether your qualification can result in income.
This is market validation, not "waiting around."
If logistics are successful, you will earn money, get experience, and become independent.
If it doesn't, you approach BEd with confidence rather than anxiety.
3. Which is the better strategy, 2026 or 2027?
Here is a useful framework based on what you mentioned:
BEd in 2026 makes sense IF
- You are able to obtain funds (Funza Lushaka or another bursary) or you are able to afford your first year's expenses without incurring long-term debt.
And despite persistent effort, logistics job prospects continue to be unresponsive.
It is wiser to wait until 2027. IF: You would have to take on stressful debt or irregular deposits if funding is uncertain.
You haven't thoroughly explored internships and placements in logistics yet.
It is better to start later with clarity rather than earlier in a panic.
4. Funding plan (avoid depending just on one door)
Don't put all of your hope in Funza Lushaka, even though you're doing the right thing.
When submitting an application:
- Explore NSFAS (if applicable) and provincial education bursaries.
- Institutional or private scholarships linked to the teacher shortage
- Once enrolled, certain universities provide internal teaching funds.
Continue applying for paid logistics internships and learnerships at the same time. You can gain confidence and breathing room even with short-term contracts.
5. Reframing the fear (this is important)
You're not "behind."
You're not making a poor decision.
You're reacting to uncertainty in a logical manner.
Your true goals are freedom and predictable income, not a degree. That is a valid goal.
Don't jump into BEd in 2026 just out of fear; instead, actively pursue logistical possibilities over the coming months.
As a safety precaution, keep BEd applications and bursaries open.
Make decisions based on facts rather than fear.
Best wishes!
Thank you for taking time to answer my question I appreciate it, so you mean it is still early to start panicking about unemployment cause I apply everyday for internships, entry level jobs and graduate trainee programmes on LinkedIn and other online posts but I wake up to " we regret to inform you" emails everyday. Most of these require a degree in Logistics and i have a national diploma which is why my first choice for 2026 was an advanced diploma in Logistics but was unfortunately declined reason why I also applied for the B Ed so that I have something to fall on because I've seen many graduates complain about unemployment and how job search is depressing and draining, once again I thank you
Nkosingiphile
You’re very welcome, Nkosingiphile. And yes, please hear this clearly: it is still early, and what you’re experiencing is unfortunately very common, not a personal failure. Those rejection emails are exhausting, but they reflect structural barriers (qualification filters, timing, saturated entry-level pipelines), not your potential or effort. You’re being strategic, not indecisive. Having a Plan A and a Plan B is smart risk management, especially when financial stability matters. Keep applying, but also protect your energy, job searching is a marathon, not a sprint. Your persistence will compound, even if it doesn’t feel like it yet. You’re doing the right things. Stay the course, adjust the strategy, not the belief in yourself.
Chinyere Okafor
Ohkay I hear you and Thank you, if my funding plans for 2026 allow me to go back I'll go study but if they dont, I won't force it.
Nkosingiphile
Of course!
Chinyere Okafor
Siva Kann
VP of Products & Technology
31
Answers
Cincinnati, Ohio
Updated
Siva’s Answer
Hi Nkosingiphile,
Chinyere has already given you strong guidance around timing, funding, and managing risk. I’d like to focus on a different but equally important angle: why employers should choose you and how to make that visible. Irrespective of the career path you choose, you will still face the same issue.
1. Go back to the beginning: Why Logistics?
Before moving fully to Plan B, pause and reflect:
• What originally attracted you to logistics?
• Was it planning, coordination, problem-solving, working with systems, data, suppliers, or operations?
• What parts of logistics do you actually enjoy or feel naturally good at?
This matters because employers don’t hire just qualifications; they hire capabilities. If you are not clear on what you are good at, it becomes very hard to communicate your value.
2. The real issue with rejections: It’s not the effort
What you are experiencing is extremely common for graduates (for example, I receive hundreds of resumes daily and don’t have time to review them all):
• Generic resumes
• Mass applications
• AI filters rejecting applications before a human ever sees your name
These systems can’t tell:
• What you know about that specific role
• How you could help that specific employer
• Why you matter more than the next applicant
That’s not a personal failure — it’s a positioning problem.
3. You need to build a portfolio, not just a CV
Even in logistics, you can create proof:
• Case studies (e.g., supply chain improvement ideas, inventory tracking mock-ups, process flow diagrams)
• Small projects (Excel dashboards, demand planning examples, transport optimization scenarios)
• Short write-ups explaining how you would solve real logistics problems
A simple portfolio (PDF, Google Drive, LinkedIn featured section, articles, or a website) instantly separates you from 90% of applicants.
4. Stop “cold applying” alone — start connecting
Applications without context are the hardest path. Instead:
• Find people already working in logistics roles you want
• Reach out with genuine questions (not job requests)
• Ask about their path, challenges, advice, and seek mentorship
Referrals and internal recommendations bypass filters far more often than online applications.
5. Treat every job post like a problem to solve
Before applying, ask:
• What problem is this role hired to fix?
• What skills are they really paying for?
• How can I show I understand their business?
Then write a short, focused cover letter that says:
“Here’s what I understand about your role, and here’s how I can help.”
Most candidates don’t do this — which is exactly why it works.
FINAL THOUGHT
Your challenge isn’t that you chose the wrong qualification. It would be the same challenge in other career paths as well. The issue is that you haven’t yet translated what you know into value employers can clearly see.
Before walking away from logistics completely, give yourself the chance to:
• Clarify your strengths
• Build visible proof
• Change how you approach employers
That clarity will help you whether you stay in logistics, move into teaching, or do something you haven’t even discovered yet.
You’re not behind — you’re at the Growing Yourself stage, and that’s a powerful place to be.
Good luck,
– Siva
Chinyere has already given you strong guidance around timing, funding, and managing risk. I’d like to focus on a different but equally important angle: why employers should choose you and how to make that visible. Irrespective of the career path you choose, you will still face the same issue.
1. Go back to the beginning: Why Logistics?
Before moving fully to Plan B, pause and reflect:
• What originally attracted you to logistics?
• Was it planning, coordination, problem-solving, working with systems, data, suppliers, or operations?
• What parts of logistics do you actually enjoy or feel naturally good at?
This matters because employers don’t hire just qualifications; they hire capabilities. If you are not clear on what you are good at, it becomes very hard to communicate your value.
2. The real issue with rejections: It’s not the effort
What you are experiencing is extremely common for graduates (for example, I receive hundreds of resumes daily and don’t have time to review them all):
• Generic resumes
• Mass applications
• AI filters rejecting applications before a human ever sees your name
These systems can’t tell:
• What you know about that specific role
• How you could help that specific employer
• Why you matter more than the next applicant
That’s not a personal failure — it’s a positioning problem.
3. You need to build a portfolio, not just a CV
Even in logistics, you can create proof:
• Case studies (e.g., supply chain improvement ideas, inventory tracking mock-ups, process flow diagrams)
• Small projects (Excel dashboards, demand planning examples, transport optimization scenarios)
• Short write-ups explaining how you would solve real logistics problems
A simple portfolio (PDF, Google Drive, LinkedIn featured section, articles, or a website) instantly separates you from 90% of applicants.
4. Stop “cold applying” alone — start connecting
Applications without context are the hardest path. Instead:
• Find people already working in logistics roles you want
• Reach out with genuine questions (not job requests)
• Ask about their path, challenges, advice, and seek mentorship
Referrals and internal recommendations bypass filters far more often than online applications.
5. Treat every job post like a problem to solve
Before applying, ask:
• What problem is this role hired to fix?
• What skills are they really paying for?
• How can I show I understand their business?
Then write a short, focused cover letter that says:
“Here’s what I understand about your role, and here’s how I can help.”
Most candidates don’t do this — which is exactly why it works.
FINAL THOUGHT
Your challenge isn’t that you chose the wrong qualification. It would be the same challenge in other career paths as well. The issue is that you haven’t yet translated what you know into value employers can clearly see.
Before walking away from logistics completely, give yourself the chance to:
• Clarify your strengths
• Build visible proof
• Change how you approach employers
That clarity will help you whether you stay in logistics, move into teaching, or do something you haven’t even discovered yet.
You’re not behind — you’re at the Growing Yourself stage, and that’s a powerful place to be.
Good luck,
– Siva
Thank you for your response. To be honest, I do not have a strong passion for a specific career; my main goals are financial stability and independence. I chose Logistics after matric because it was the course I was accepted into, and although I did not fully understand the field, I felt fortunate to study with NSFAS funding. In my second year, I reapplied for my initial choice but was not admitted. In my final year in 2025, I realised most internships and entry-level roles require a degree rather than a diploma. After repeated job rejections and my Advanced Diploma application being declined, I applied for a BEd. Continuing my studies felt practical, as education is in demand and offers long-term stability rather than remaining unemployed
Nkosingiphile
Thank you for being honest. Your choices were practical, not wrong. Many students don’t choose a qualification out of passion but out of access, funding, and opportunity and that’s valid. You don’t need a strong passion to succeed. What matters more is understanding what you are naturally good at. Ask yourself: what makes time pass quickly? What do people ask you for help with? What feels engaging, not draining? Career progress comes from building on strengths, not starting over. Choose education or training that amplifies what you’re good at so you can stand out. In the meantime, use those strengths for part-time or contract work to build income and confidence. You are not behind & you are adapting wisely.
Siva Kann
Alright, I hear you thank you once again
Nkosingiphile