My mind drifts back to those days in school when you ponder about the
future and what comes to mind is graduating with a good grade, going
for NYSC and the jobs come knocking in droves, so much that one’s
confused about which to pick. These thoughts come with the mindset of
“get good grades by all means”, and then your dream job is secured
automatically. Fast forward many years, one finishes with a good grade,
goes for NYSC and he joins a “correct” CDS group. He continues with
his splendid performance as he hears that he could get a state
recognition which would boost his chances of getting a job after service.
He eventually gets a letter of commendation, a certificate presented by
the governor himself, and he is wowed. Fast forward many months after
NYSC, he is shocked, he has been DECEIVED!. School doesn’t guarantee
success. He starts job hunting, submitting CVs, writing tests with few
multinationals he is opportune to, but all to no avail. Frustration sets in,
he is forced to do ‘’whatsoever the hand findeth to do’’, keeps
managing till he adapts to the situation, then starts blaming the
government,...his parents,...witches in his village,..the devil,.....and the
struggle continues on and on.......
This is a typical chronicle of many school leavers. It can however be
realigned right from school. It starts with the mind. A transformed
mind, drifted from status quo, the kind of information one gets
acquainted with, and run with. I will however give a few practical tips
for students and intending graduates on what to do to change their
future, from the status quo to creating it to whatsoever they want.
1.Think JOB less. Think VALUE more.
The mindset of a student set to succeed should change from getting a
job after school to creating and adding value after school. In fact, no
serious employer is as interested in your certificate as much as the
value you can offer. Irrespective of the course being studied, every
individual student should think deep about how they can create value in
that chosen field of endeavor. Ask oneself questions such as "what
problems can this course i am studying proffer solutions to?", "what
can i do after school with it, even if i don’t get a job?", "how can i be
relevant to the society without my paper certificate?".
2.Network more.
There is no substitute for network. A lot of students, especially the
“eficos” live a solitary lifestyle, from class to library to hostel. No social
life, no mix with people, no mingling. There is however no substitute for
human interaction and networking. No man can survive alone, no man is
an island. The people you meet today may be the ones that would
recommend you tomorrow for that dream placement.
3,Personal development
Develop attributes that are characteristic of success. A wise man said
‘’PLAY NOW AND PAY LATER, or PAY NOW AND PLAY LATER, ITS YOUR
CHOICE’’. Ability to decipher between attributes that can make you a
success and that which mars your chances cannot be overemphasized.
Attitudes such as time management, communication skills, discipline and
diligence must be developed. Time is a universal currency, and everyone
has the same 24hours in a day. How we spend it determines what we get
in return. Skill is good, good grades is good, but one must be able to
express it to the world. Communicating what one has to offer is key to
getting results. Develop yourself in these areas.
4.Get a skill.
This is a very vital point that has been downplayed and neglected over
the years. Young people think only artisans and “illiterates” deserve to
get a skill. What would you think about a mechanical engineering student
enrolling and learning in a mechanic workshop during vacation?..or a
computer engineering student learning from a technician in computer
village in his spare time? They will without fail be better off than those
loaded with just theoretical knowledge. Harnessing ‘’theoretical’’ formal
education with ‘’practical’’ informal education will most definitely make
one better off in any chosen field of endeavor.
5.Marketing and sales skill
I just must mention this before i drop my pen. Marketing is that
dreaded word that most graduates scare away from, but i wish they
knew better. Everyone does marketing. Everyone is selling. From
marketing yourself to your potential spouse to selling moral skills to your
children to marketing to your potential employer, all is marketing. This is
a fundamental skill that must be developed if one intends to succeed in
life. You must know how to sell something. As a matter of fact, its only
those selling something that gets something else in return. Sales and
marketing will be emphasized more in a subsequent article.
Finally, no one knows you for what you plan to do but ypu are only known
for what you have done. Take action now and change your future.
Thank you for reading. Feedback and comments are welcome. Remember
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