NYSC: WASTE OF ONE YEAR?

NYSC is a mandatory national service for all Nigerian graduates that passed out of school below 31 years. It was borne out of the need for cohesion and national unity due to the mutual suspicion that trailed the aftermath of the infamous civil war.

Many have argued that the commission has outlived its set goal and should be disbanded as it is now a waste of resources and one year of the fresh graduate.

How then should this precious one year be spent judiciously?

TAKE A RETROSPECT OF YOUR LIFE THUS FAR: Prior to our resumption of the service year, we have been through a whole lot, made lot of decisions and taken lot of actions that have shaped us to this time. The truth is that we were engrossed in the course of these events and rarely had time to brood over them. NYSC will give you an ample time to have a retrospect of your life.

PLAN YOUR LIFE: having examined your life thus far, it is then time to plan the next course of action. It should be realistic and not quixotic. There are four routes every corp member must take after the service year; go for masters, go into business, look for job or marry. You have to plan based on these. Your decision should not be based on other people’s suggestion but on pure conviction as the outcome of this decision will affect the next five years of your life.

NETWORK: No man is an island. The service year will bring people from all tribes of the federation. You will meet all forms of characters; the good, the bad and the ugly. You have to use this rare gathering to develop your network, build a lasting network that will serve you in the future. Those that want to go into business can discover like minds, etc.

DRAFT YOUR CV: There is no better time to draft your curricula vitae than during your service year. There are samples online to help you know the right format.

STUDY GMAT: The first hurdle you will scale during job interview is aptitude test. This psychometric test is not taught in school so you have to teach yourself (autodidactic). Be conversant with it and work on your speed. This will make you ‘Aptitude Test Black Belt Holder’.

APPLY TO OPENINGS: It is not ideal to plan about crossing a bridge when you are already on it. Most job recruitment take up to three months. It is then ideal to start applying to different openings four months to the end of your service year, hence, if successful, you will be resuming a month after your service year. You also have to save from your allowance for possible journey to screening centers.

EXPLORE: A friend of mine termed NYSC as a time government pays you for doing nothing (this applies mainly to people posted to rural area). You can use this period to see movies you never saw, read books you never read, write different exams (because its subsidized), volunteer to organizations, develop your leadership skill by playing an active role in your CDS group, etc.

In conclusion, I can boldly say that NYSC is really not a waste of one year if judiciously used.


cc: lalastica, ishilove

.

q

Yea

Nice piece bro

Op what's the best thing one can engage in as a money making venture during the service year wch would not only be for the service year but also after just in case job doesn't come quick

kunlesufyan:
Op what's the best thing one can engage in as a money making venture during the service year wch would not only be for the service year but also after just in case job doesn't come quick

Try photography. You can do part time apprenticeship. A friend of mine did it and he thanked God he did that.