NYSC. Then what?

For the 2018 Batch C Corp members, the service year have ended. A lot of lessons have been learnt, time wasted, new experience gathered, new friends made, lots and lots have transpired within this short period of time. All that has happened has happened and it is imperative that we move on.

The end of the service year comes with its peculiar challenges, one of which is getting a (good) job. Good in bracket because very many graduates settle for low paying jobs for lack of opportunities. I made a list of the things we can get busy with while we await our dream job or strategize to start up our own businesses.

They include:

Freelancing: You are good at one thing or another. You can take your service to the ‘domot’ of those that need it. Or best still, go online and search for your customers. It could be your culinary skill, cleaning skill, writing, talking, hair dressing, fashion designing, etc. Start small while looking out for the bigger opportunity.

Follow trends in your field: if you must look for a job in your field, you ought to know that innovations come up every single day. Follow trends and innovation and be up to date just so you are able to compete favourably in the labour market.

Acquire a new skill: funny is it? No one is too old to learn a new skill. Even if you have multiple skills already, learning a new skill might just be a way to keep yourself busy from the thoughts of unemployment. It also avails you the opportunity to diversify your income.

Volunteer: look out for events around you and see ways to help by way of volunteering. Render community service and carry it out excellently well. This is also a way of selling out yourself first to your immediate community. You could be referred someday who knows?

Read: you just have to continue reading, reading everything and anything. You wouldn’t know when you would be called upon hence the need to be constantly in touch with knowledge.

Create Useful Networks: get in touch with people who are already in the field you want to venture in and learn from them. Also, subscribe to sites that give you updates on available jobs. Sites like www.myjobmag.com , www.jobberman.com , etc. can be helpful in job search.

The God Factor: I'm unapologetically a Christian and I think that it's an error to take away the God factor in whatever we do. Asides your expertise there are a lot of factors that could lead to your disqualification from a job you applied for. You need grace, you need miracles.

Be Cheerful always: being unemployed can be really frustrating and joy sapping but do not wear your grief on your face. It is better not to transfer the aggression to someone else. Do what makes you happy. Always.

GOODLUCK AND WELCOME TO A NEW PHASE.