A Kenyan graduate teacher has shared how a poorly paying job after university pushed her to reconsider her career plans and eventually seek opportunities abroad.
Ryeen Muthoni said she was offered a teaching position at an academy after completing her studies. However, the salary came as a surprise, with the institution offering her only KSh 2,500 per month.
Despite the low pay, Muthoni accepted the position and reported to work. She taught for about an hour before making a decision that would change the direction of her career.
After considering the amount she was expected to earn against the time, effort and education required for the job, she decided not to continue.
Muthoni walked away from the position and continued looking for better opportunities in Kenya. Her experience, however, left her questioning whether she could build the kind of career she wanted under the conditions available to her.
The graduate eventually decided to leave the country and relocated to the United States in search of better prospects.
Her move opened a new chapter in her life. In the US, Muthoni secured employment that she considered more rewarding and better suited to her qualifications.
Her story highlights a challenge faced by many young graduates in Kenya, where completing university does not always translate into well-paying employment. Some graduates end up accepting jobs with modest salaries simply to gain experience or remain employed.
For Muthoni, the KSh 2,500 offer became a turning point rather than the start of her teaching career.
Instead of remaining in a job she felt undervalued her qualifications, she chose to look elsewhere. Her eventual move to the US gave her an opportunity to pursue work she considered more worthwhile.
The experience has since become part of her story of leaving Kenya with limited prospects and finding a different path abroad.