How to Actually Pay the Bills When You’ve Got a Degree but No Job in South Africa
Alright, so picture this: you’ve hustled your way through varsity, finally got that degree, and… nothing. No job offers, just a bunch of “We regret to inform you” emails clogging your inbox. Welcome to the South African job market, where even a shiny degree sometimes just gets you a faster queue at Home Affairs. It sucks, but hey—being broke isn’t a personality trait, and it sure as hell isn’t your final destination.
So what now? Forget waiting around for someone in HR to “circle back.” Here’s what you can actually do to make some cash (and maybe even enjoy it a little):
- Freelancing & Remote Gigs Look, the internet’s wild. You can literally get paid by people in other countries while sitting in your pajamas at home. Sites like Upwork, Fiverr, or even Facebook groups—there’s always someone needing something: writing, designing, building websites, typing, whatever. Not a tech whiz? Doesn’t matter. You can learn the basics online—seriously, YouTube and Coursera are basically free universities if you care enough. Plus, the exchange rate? Major win when you’re earning dollars but spending rands.
And don’t sleep on remote work. Customer support, online tutoring, transcriptions—you name it. Sure, it’s not always glamorous, but money is money.
- Start Something—Anything You know how everyone’s suddenly a chef or a candle maker on Instagram? There’s a reason for that. If you can bake, sew, fix stuff, or even just organize chaos—there’s someone who’ll pay you for it. Start small. Sell to your neighbors, your aunties, or even randoms on Facebook Marketplace.
Stuff like laundry services, gardening, tutoring, CV writing, or managing social media for small businesses—those are all real ways people are surviving, not just influencer hype. And if you need help with cash or business advice, check out NYDA or SEFA. They actually want young people to win.
- Turn Your Hobby Into a Side Hustle So you’re obsessed with editing videos, or you can’t stop taking photos, or maybe you’re a beast at making TikToks. Don’t just post for likes—think money. If you’re consistent and a bit strategic (and have patience), brands and local businesses might notice. A lot of folks started with nothing but their phone and some wild ideas.
- Teach What You Know If you aced math or your English is on point, tutoring’s a goldmine, especially with parents clawing their hair out over school results. Private lessons or online gigs on sites like Preply or Cambly? They pay better than you think. Plus, you can help someone else avoid that “I’m so lost” feeling.
- Volunteer or Intern, Even for Free (Yeah, I Know) Hot take: not every gig pays cash at first, but sometimes you gotta play the long game. Volunteering or interning gets your foot in the door, helps you meet people, and you’ll pick up real skills. Sometimes you just gotta eat noodles for a few months while you level up.
The Ups and Downs of Being a Graduate
Finishing university feels epic for about five minutes, then reality hits. Sure, you’ve got bragging rights and probably a slightly bigger vocabulary, but let’s be real—it’s not all sunshine and job offers.
Why it’s (Sometimes) Awesome:
- You actually know stuff, and not just random trivia—real skills employers need (eventually).
- You’re more likely to get a better-paying job… when those unicorns finally appear.
- Uni life teaches you how to hustle, organize your mess, and talk to people who aren’t your mom.
- Plus, you’ve probably made some connections—lecturers, classmates, that weird guy you did group work with—who might hook you up in the future.
But Also, It’s Rough:
- Everybody wants “experience,” but nobody wants to give you a shot to get it.
- The competition’s nuts. Like, you need to stand out, and that’s not always easy.
- Sometimes you feel like you did all that studying for nothing, and that’s just brutal.
Real Talk
The South African job market’s a jungle, but you don’t have to be a victim. Try stuff. Fail. Try again. Your degree’s not wasted—it just might take the scenic route before you see the benefits. Keep hustling, stay creative, and stop waiting for someone to “pick” you. Make your own luck, bru. Your side hustle today could be your big break tomorrow.