Listening
Unlocking Word Meanings
Read the following words/expressions found in today’s article.
- white-collar / ˈʰwaɪtˈkɒl ər / (adj.) – relating to jobs that involve working in an office, rather than doing physical work
Example:Many white-collar workers, such as office managers and accountants, spend most of their day using computers.
- elusive / ɪˈlu sɪv / (adj.) – describing something that is hard to find or catch
Example:A dream job often feels elusive when you’re just starting your career.
- slum / slʌm / (n.) – a very poor area in a city where a lot of people live
Example:The government is planning a project to improve living conditions in the city’s slums.
- idle / ˈaɪd l / (adj.) – describing a time when someone or something is not working, active, or being used
Example:The workers didn’t want to stay idle, so they quickly started a new task to keep themselves busy.
- vice / vaɪs / (n.) – a bad habit or harmful behavior, such as smoking or drinking too much
Example:She decided to focus on her studies and avoid vices, like smoking and partying late at night.
Article
Read the text below.
In Kenya, where white-collar jobs seem increasingly elusive, young people are turning to content creation and photography to make a living.
Leveraging technology, many are tapping into social media platforms like TikTok, Instagram, and YouTube to stay ahead. On Sundays, groups of young people can be seen gathering with cameras, dancing in coordinated moves before uploading their content to these platforms.
With 35% of Kenya’s population aged between 15 and 34, the United Nations estimates that 67% of this demographic is unemployed.
For 22-year-old Vincent Otieno, content creation offers him and his group of six dancers from Nairobi’s slums a crucial income stream. They earn money through tips from fans on TikTok and advertisements on YouTube, as well as performing at parties. On average, each group member makes around $120 per month.
“We post on Instagram, TikTok, and YouTube where we make around a hundred dollars in a month, which is better than nothing,” Otieno explains.
The dynamic trio of 20-year-olds Angeline Muema, Trisha Pangie, and Cecilia Nyambura have been creating content on TikTok for a year. Angeline, still a college student, expresses doubts about finding a white-collar job after graduation.
“It’s better I do these videos and I get something than just staying idle and I am not getting something and at the end of the day, maybe I might graduate, yes, and I won’t get a job. So, I better do these videos and I get something,” she says.
Together, the trio makes $600 a month, interacting with fans who give them monetary gifts.
Meanwhile, 25-year-old dancer Mark Maranga, who holds a degree in nursing and public health, turned to social media content creation after struggling to find a job. For him, the platform offers not only income but also a way to avoid social vices.
“Instead of indulging in activities like stealing and robbery, but now it has helped most of the youths, they engage in this activities of dancing and now they have to get something. With the help of the money, the few cash they get, they can go and feed their families,” he says.
This article was provided by The Associated Press.
Viewpoint Discussion
Enjoy a discussion with your tutor.
Discussion A
- Do you believe content creation can be considered a stable career? Why or why not? What are some challenges young people might face when using social media to make a living? Discuss.
- In your opinion, should young people focus on content creation if it offers more immediate income than traditional jobs? Why? How else do you think content creation might help young people (ex. express their creativity, make connections)? Discuss.
Discussion B
- In your opinion, how should young people prepare for life after graduation if traditional jobs are hard to find? What advice would you give to someone who has graduated but is struggling to find work? Discuss.
- Do you think a college degree is still valuable if it doesn’t guarantee a job? Why or why not? If someone can’t find a job in their field after graduation, do you think they should switch careers? Why do you think so? Discuss.
