Learning a skill today has become paramount and a major necessity. Especially in this part of the world. The availability of job opportunities is drastically low, and it would be wise not to be blind to the reality and wisely acquire a skill to cope with the disadvantaged situation. In that regard, you find teenage boys and girls learning one skill or another.
A friend told me of how her father was intentional about each of the children getting a skill, be it a boy or a girl. Today, it is one of the best things a parent could do for their child or children. Gone were the times when there was a level of choice on what to venture into; whether the corporate office work, skilled entrepreneurship or business.
Many people created relevance, wealth, and become an inspiration to many through one skill or another. The funny thing is that, some picked up these skills as a joke or a thing to while away time, then they reap great benefits as they ended up developing passion and interest. Such were the testimonies of some persons I have seen and heard.
For some, it was out of necessity, which developed into a passion. I haven't been much of a physical/hard skills person. The digital world has been a blessing for me. My skills aligned in that direction. During a general strike action called upon by the academic bodies of higher institutions of learning, the opportunity to learn what would unsurprisingly become a passion came my way.
I saw a flyer from one of the groups I belong to related to my school. It introduced a smartphone digital skills training for students. That interested me, but much more interesting was that it was free. Yes. For what I gained, it was too much to be considered free. Of course, we paid a little inconsiderable token for the certificate.
It featured graphics design, video creation/editing, some digital tools and their optimisation among others. The process to learn all that was not without difficulty. I was in school during that period learning this alongside my other engagements. After some months, we were done. My learning didn't end there. I attended another training in such a manner the next year, increasing my horizon.
Through the help of God, I gained from these skills, especially the graphics design and video creation/editing. I have worked with quite a few groups/brands and other freelance services. I discovered somehow my passion for creativity which continually fuels my learning and desire to grow. I was privileged to serve in the media team of my CDS (Community Development Service) during my service period due to these skills.
Beyond just a financial need, these skills gave me a pool of experience and knowledge to work with people. The thing about such skills is that they keep evolving, easily and quickly. What is the big deal today could get outdated tomorrow. The need to keep up is necessary. Like any skill, there are difficulties too, like moments of creative blocks, then resources and gadgets.
From hard to soft skills, physical to digital skills, there are several today. What interests an individual should be what they go for and not what seems to be the trend. I know digital/soft skills have a lot of potential today, but I have seen people who are doing very well and excelling in their hard/physical skills. It should be about what you do best and what really captivates you.
Did I also mention my skill as a writer? Well, that is another one I happened to learn inadvertently.
Images are my designs.