It was a cold evening but she was sweating 😅 profusely like one who had just consumed a full pot of hot rice.
She tossed and turned on the bed like a fish wanting to jump out of the water.
It was only two(2) weeks to the Passing out Ceremony and terribly scared to enter into the Labour market, or, as some people called it…Favour market.
Source
Her National Youth Service was coming to an end.
The meagre #19,800 would stop flowing in monthly.
What would be my fate?
Where does my hope lie?
How do I face this world, naked?
“Naked?” She heard someone say and looked around but found no one.
Scared, she jolted to her feet and was more conscious now.
“Dear Suzzy, don't be startled. I'm not here to hurt you but to comfort you”
You see, I was once like you.
Scared, naive and ignorant of what lied ahead of me.
You are brave,
You are smart,
You are purposeful….
But you are scared.
Scared of the “unknown”
Scared of what the future holds for you.
But should I tell you something?
“It's a good thing you're scared”
It means you're aware a huge task lies ahead of you.
The only problem here is that you shouldn't allow the fear get a better of you.
Don't let your fears fool you into thinking you can't do it.
“Now, pick your book under your pillow and take down these few things”
Suzzy quickly reaches out for her book which was exactly under her pillow.
“Good, now write down these few things which should serve as a guide to you as you are about to end your Youth Service”
What To Do After NYSC
Invest:
Supposing you have been wise enough to save some of your earnings during your days as a serving corps member, now is the time to invest in profitable business ventures.
There are some businesses which may not require investment in capital but time. Make good use of your time ND turn it to cash.
Apply:
I thought you didn't want to be idle? Why then are you not applying?
Fear of rejection?
If you think you are going to be rejected, you most definitely will be.
Reapply:
So you applied for a job or two and got rejected and decided to give up? Why??
You see, life only favours the determined and if you're not determined to succeed, you never will.
It's so heartbreaking to see young ones like yourself give up easily after few attempts at trying to get what they want.
You didn't get the job? So what? Dust your credentials and try the next bus stop baby.
Don't be discouraged.
Network:
A got a job because he knew B who knew C who had Uncle D, which was the MD of the company.
You get the trick?
Connection…. Networking.
I know you enjoy your company by yourself but now is the time to network beyond you and meet people who could help you.
Remember Uncle Snake 🐍 who swallowed money from the Jamb office?
If I had made him my friend the day I met him when I also went to register for jamb, I'd be cruising with him by now.
Develop Yourself:
You want to further your education? Do it. You want to learn a trade? Learn it. Don't wait no further. Attend events that could broaden your intellectual capabilities. Most of these events are free.
Go to eventbrite.com, you could find many of these events.
The most important thing is that you don't stay idle.
And, no matter what you do, you should try as much as possible, never to remain on the same spot.
The goal is to be a better YOU than the you of yesterday.
…...Shine on.
Juliet Israel ✌💋