If you’ve been affected by the strike, and have been at home for the past 4+ months doing nothing, I am sure you can raise your hand up for having a crappy year. And you are probably feeling insignificant and angry now, and the uncertainty makes you unhappy and more anxious. Well! Did you know that the Chinese view problems as prospects, and in their culture the character/symbol for problems and opportunities is the same. So here is how you can turn these problem to a
real opportunity (have the last laugh – laugh in the face of the ASUU guys LOL).Get a Part-Time Job
It is a way to make quick cash, and you will add vital work experience and skills to your CV at the same time. A part-time job can teach responsibility, and the skills you gain from it can come very handy when you graduate and are ready to start a rewarding career.
I’m sure you know your first-class or second class upper degree will not necessarily land you a job, it is a minimum requirement for certain jobs, and it also depends on your degree subject. But your ability to communicate effectively, work in a team, solve problems, interact with customers/clients, adapt to new situations, environment, culture and ways of working etc., will land you that job. These are all essentials that you cannot learn in your lecture rooms or sitting at home; but you can gain these skills from a part-time job and other extracurricular activities.
So if you interested, here are few options of what you can do:
• You can work in a family business as an intern or a volunteer. Make sure you ask them to assign you responsibilities and tasks (simple and challenging ones), to stretch you a little, so you can learn and develop useful skills
• You can get a job locally – a job that do not require a university degree or an NYSC certificate
• You can sell your knowledge and skills – try tutoring young children in Maths, English and General studies, and even in sports and art. You can also try tutoring adults if you have a special talent in certain areas of interest. Alternatively, you can teach your degree subject to WAEC/NECO students, help them revise if exams are fast approaching, and you can get paid by the hour. - This is also good for graduate jobs interview where a good understanding of the fundamentals of your degree subject can go a long way.
Doing Your Own Thing
I know entrepreneurship is not for everybody, but I am a strong believer that everyone should at some point in their lives think about setting up their own business. This could be opening a bakery or a candy store, designing and selling products, starting a small event management business, whatever your choice! Entrepreneurship is fun and exciting.
First of all entrepreneurs are not born, it’s not a trait you inherit, and the reason why I’m a strong believe is because you can learn and grow to be an entrepreneur. Running your own business gives you the opportunity to spend your time doing something that you are passionate about. It gives you total control over what you do and how you do it, and the opportunity to earn money for yourself – so if you have a great idea, a special talent and skills, don’t let the start-up cost and fear stop you. This is the right time to start your business.
You are young now, full of energy and good ideas –you can make the mistakes now and recover. All it takes is determination, become more resilient, learn from your mistakes and turn the problems to opportunities; - in my opinion the best time to start-up is NOW! So when you graduate – you could be one of the lucky ones not queuing up for jobs, but running a successful business.
Remember you are a student, so don’t run to the bank for a loan you cannot pay back, or rush into getting an office, you can start from home, get families to support you, start small, spend less to gain more. "Bigfoot started with small successful steps – one small successful step after another, each step growing, evolving; each step more certain, more powerful." – Michael E. Gordon.
Set Up a Club or Society
So if a part-time job or being your own boss is not what you are interested in. do what you are passionate about, it’s advisable, and it’s way better than staying at home doing nothing. So if you have a hobby or special talent, another option is to get together and mix with like-minded people. Set up a club – it could be a poetry/art club, music group, sport club, book club etc., you get to meet once or twice a week, plan and organise events, do something meaningful and useful with your spare time, help each other grow, share tips and many more. This is also a great way to develop people skills, communication skills and more.
Personal Development
If you have the funds, you should register for a training session to improve your personal skills, gain new skills, develop employability skills, and keep yourself up-to-date. Spend some time to set and write down your personal goals – six months, a year, 3 or 5 years goal. This works and research demonstrates that people who write down their goals are much more likely to achieve them. Why? Probably because writing it down forces you to articulate them more precisely, and it’s a constant reminder of where you’re trying to get to. (Assuming you look at them from time to time).
In summary, do not isolate yourself from the world, or waste anymore of your time. Develop yourself, if I have not been able to address your needs, there are so many resources out there, and training courses. Plan your future now, have fun, do things that will impact your life and others – life after university is hard, but the wise (people with clear plans and goals, succeed, have the last laugh), but the foolish perish LOL! Well they look back and wish they did something different, so be wise.
There are too many unemployed graduates out there, and you don’t want to join the club, especially after being forced to go on a strike for 4+ months. Organisations are still employing people, and people are getting jobs every day without the connections in strategic positions (you know what I mean). Try and differentiate yourself, impress recruiters – you can achieve this by developing yourself, and gaining new skills that recruiters are looking for. It’s worth trying, what have you got to lose? NOTHING!
For guidance, support, coaching and training sessions on career development, personal development, entrepreneurship and many more; you can register in one of my workshops and courses near you. I offer quality training and development programmes, for students, graduates/corpers, professionals and women, small business owners and companies.
For more information on the workshops, training courses and dates, check my contact details below:
My email: ue.godwin@gmail.com
Online: www.theptconsultant.wordpress.com www.facebook.com/theptconsultant
www.linkedin.com/udemeebong
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