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After school, what next??

Getting into college can be considered as an achievement in the life of a young adult, a step in the right direction, a means to achieving set goals and so many other positive things. Secondary school has just ended and there is that feeling of excitement, coupled with uncertainty. This is a new terrain and you are wondering how well you would cope as a student. Alas, you commence your academic programme, and it’s not as bad as you think, no, it is way more exciting. So many cool new friends, you can actually decide not to attend classes. And yes, you have no one controlling you. Wow. “This is going to be one good phase of my life”, you think to yourself. Then examinations approach. You realize you have to study in order to get good grades (Remembering that your dad told you getting a job is impossible without those grades). You dedicate your time to making sure your results come out excellent: you cannot risk not having a job. Your uncle had assured you of giving you a job at that big oil firm. You resolve in your heart to do your best till you complete your academic programme. You put aside all activities that are not related to your coursework, even the ones you are very interested in. Year one, two, three, final year…..Oh, it’s almost convocation, you made an excellent grade. Your results were far better than your friend’s. Anyways it’s not your fault. You had advised him on several occasions to quit spending unnecessary time watching those “stupid” programming tutorial videos on YouTube and start following you to night class. It’s his loss. Convocation day comes and you’re super excited to have made such a good grade. This was the ideal Life.

You are back home, and it’s time to face reality, you make up for the lost time spent at school, eating everything in the house, waiting to be mobilized for the mandatory NYSC. You finally get called up and discover they posted you to a village bush. “I want to gain experience” you say. You waste another year battling mosquitoes and learning nothing relevant. ‘Take a selfie; you’re passing out as the coolest corper ’. You’ve not even readjusted, but Government Allowee has stopped entering your account. Time to “WORK WORK WORK WORK WORK WORK” (In Rihanna’s voice). Scrolling through your phone, you sight uncle’s number. Time to call uncle for that oil firm job. You’ve already started dialing when your mum comes in “Ehen, did I tell you that my brother, your uncle lost his job, Please let us pray for him o. things are getting tough and the economy isn’t helping” She says. You are dumbfounded. Wahala dey. You start applying, first application, you are very hopeful, they promised you they would get back to you soon. It has been three months now and no reply. Another application goes, and another, and another. Wait, you’ve sent 40 applications already. Your friend from school messages you on whatsapp. You are very less busy so you quickly respond. You are pretty sure you’re faring better than him, BUT

MAYBE NOT;

He is a software developer for a big IT firm, he also does freelance graphic design and web development for several companies.” Your guy don land”. All the “wasted time” learning programming has finally paid off. You narrate your ordeal to him and he wants to help. He throws you the Question

WHAT CAN YOU DO??

Your reply: you know me now, I’m a first class graduate, you know I know book. Na wa for you o guy. He says, I know you made a first class but WHAT CAN YOU DO?? What reason do I give my boss to employ you? What will you be doing for our company as your job role. You start to think and then you see the truth. You have no skill. You start to beg your friend to help you in any way he can. He becomes your mentor, advising you to pick a field of interest and starts following you up to make sure you don’t get weary. He is a good friend and you know it. He even sends you airtime sometimes for data subscription. After a year, you’re beginning to hone your field, starting to master your skill, getting a job isn’t so difficult now. This is your niche; you know where to search to get relevant vacancies. Two years gone and you eventually settle down. You are starting to make some money. Your friend just flew in to the state where you reside and wants to meet. He calls you to inform you and you reply “ok BOSS”.

Start learning a skill today. You will not regret it. No 21st century business minded employer cares about your grades, they only want to be sure you can make them more money. Big firms only use the first class criteria thing to reduce the number of application they will review, and a lot of them have stopped using it as a condition for application.

PS: Making a first class isn’t a bad thing. It is actually very good. Just make sure it isn’t the only thing you are doing.


Nonso Ezebuiro

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