By Tabitha Makumi,
What are the determinants that make a job stressful? Or in other words what makes one profession stressful than the other?
Is it the long hours that one has to put in one job, the nature of the work, or the unpredictability of that job?
Well, considering all three factors here is a list of the most stressful jobs in Kenya. You are welcome to add more on the list.
1. Journalists
Isn’t this an obvious one? We sit on our coaches and wait for news on 7 or 9o’clock bulletin but have you ever wondered about the troubles that journalist go through to get that news. You all saw journalists risking their lives at the Westgate Mall attack.
They risked their lives to get the pictures and bring you live events and if that’s not enough, they spend endless hours in studio informing us of the happenings. It’ a tough job and I doubt if you can survive the profession if you do not have fire in the belly in the first place.
2. President
This is no joke….can you fathom being responsible for a country? Not a village but a country! I think we all have this perception that it’s an easy job…you have people working for you so what’s the big deal?
Me thinks it’s quite stressful when the whole world and country looks up to you when things go wrong…the president is always answerable for what goes on in his country. Sure he has people who work for him, people who answer to him but at the end of the day, he is culpable for whatever deed especially bad ones that occur in the country.
3. Teachers.
Need I say more……They are unappreciated by the government, teachers and students! I think DISRESPECT is the word that fits best like a custom made shoe.
Aren’t we all where we are because of teachers? Pilots, lawyers, bankers just to name a few of the well paid professions are in that position because they were taught well….but you will agree with me that this is one of the profession that is looked down most in Kenya.
You have stress dealing with the government because it won’t honor it’s promise and increase your salary, you have stress dealing with kids who do not respect you and you have stress of dealing with parents who want to know why their kids are not performing well in school….If this is not stressful, I don’t know what is.
4.Hawkers
Oh yes, don’t you doubt it, this is a profession like any other. It’s just like sales and marketing. You have to convince people why your product is better than the other….
But do you think you can survive in this job? Shouting at the top of your lungs ‘mbao mbao’ having people disarrange your products and not have one buy anything, having to deal with city council askaris who are baying for your blood….think you are cut for this job? Then you got to have a lot of guts.
5. Public Relations Officers
These are the people who are responsible for creating and maintaining a positive image no matter how crappy the organization is.
They have to deal with the public and pretend everything is fine even when it’s not. They typically are responsible for giving presentations and making speeches, often in front of large crowds. This highly-competitive field and tight deadlines keep stress at high-levels for specialists.
Some PR officers, also, are required to interact with potentially hostile members of the media and smile for the cameras and pretend everything is fine with the company/organization even when it’s not.
6. Construction workers
Or as we like to call them ‘watu wa mijengo’
Their work is demanding and not for the weaklings who can’t handle manual work and little pay. They have the highest rates of injuries.
They clean and prepare construction sites, dig trenches, build scaffolding and operate construction equipment. Not for the faint of heart.
Have any other stressful jobs that you can think of at the top of your head or maybe you are in one? Let’s hear about it.
What are the determinants that make a job stressful? Or in other words what makes one profession stressful than the other?
Is it the long hours that one has to put in one job, the nature of the work, or the unpredictability of that job?
Well, considering all three factors here is a list of the most stressful jobs in Kenya. You are welcome to add more on the list.
1. Journalists
Isn’t this an obvious one? We sit on our coaches and wait for news on 7 or 9o’clock bulletin but have you ever wondered about the troubles that journalist go through to get that news. You all saw journalists risking their lives at the Westgate Mall attack.
They risked their lives to get the pictures and bring you live events and if that’s not enough, they spend endless hours in studio informing us of the happenings. It’ a tough job and I doubt if you can survive the profession if you do not have fire in the belly in the first place.
2. President
This is no joke….can you fathom being responsible for a country? Not a village but a country! I think we all have this perception that it’s an easy job…you have people working for you so what’s the big deal?
Me thinks it’s quite stressful when the whole world and country looks up to you when things go wrong…the president is always answerable for what goes on in his country. Sure he has people who work for him, people who answer to him but at the end of the day, he is culpable for whatever deed especially bad ones that occur in the country.
3. Teachers.
Need I say more……They are unappreciated by the government, teachers and students! I think DISRESPECT is the word that fits best like a custom made shoe.
Aren’t we all where we are because of teachers? Pilots, lawyers, bankers just to name a few of the well paid professions are in that position because they were taught well….but you will agree with me that this is one of the profession that is looked down most in Kenya.
You have stress dealing with the government because it won’t honor it’s promise and increase your salary, you have stress dealing with kids who do not respect you and you have stress of dealing with parents who want to know why their kids are not performing well in school….If this is not stressful, I don’t know what is.
4.Hawkers
Oh yes, don’t you doubt it, this is a profession like any other. It’s just like sales and marketing. You have to convince people why your product is better than the other….
But do you think you can survive in this job? Shouting at the top of your lungs ‘mbao mbao’ having people disarrange your products and not have one buy anything, having to deal with city council askaris who are baying for your blood….think you are cut for this job? Then you got to have a lot of guts.
5. Public Relations Officers
These are the people who are responsible for creating and maintaining a positive image no matter how crappy the organization is.
They have to deal with the public and pretend everything is fine even when it’s not. They typically are responsible for giving presentations and making speeches, often in front of large crowds. This highly-competitive field and tight deadlines keep stress at high-levels for specialists.
Some PR officers, also, are required to interact with potentially hostile members of the media and smile for the cameras and pretend everything is fine with the company/organization even when it’s not.
6. Construction workers
Or as we like to call them ‘watu wa mijengo’
Their work is demanding and not for the weaklings who can’t handle manual work and little pay. They have the highest rates of injuries.
They clean and prepare construction sites, dig trenches, build scaffolding and operate construction equipment. Not for the faint of heart.
Have any other stressful jobs that you can think of at the top of your head or maybe you are in one? Let’s hear about it.
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