NYSC; A Blessing in Disguise
Do you know how we say “you don’t know the value of what you have until you lose it”? That was my case but I didn’t lose it before I realize the value of what I have and that’s what I will be sharing.
We had this intern in the office who was a fresh graduate and due to NYSC Orientation Camp, she had to resign from working with us. During the send-forth party or should I call it a meeting, my boss asked me to talk about her and also offer kind words that would be helpful for her during her service year.
While gathering my thoughts, I realized that bruh, I’ve been out of NYSC for about 2 years, how come? Felt like it was just yesterday when I was asking God what he would have me do next, and he whispered in a clear voice, “GO HOME”. That’s a story for another day.
My NYSC year was an interesting year, it was the year I almost launched my hoe phase 😂 (Thank God for Jesus Christ, the Lord of my life), the year I became a jack of all trades, the year I dared Uncle Sanwoolu 😂, the year I did many good and bad things, the year I made the one decision that has aided my career, that year was 2019/2020.
I have loads of stories to tell from these 12 months, it seems like it’s a short period, but many things can happen within that short time. My focus for this piece will be on making the best out of your service year in relation to your career/professional life.
At the time I was posted to Kwara State for my NYSC, I was in a phase where I was trying out a career in web development, so I was hoping for an enabling environment.
Well, I was posted to a remote village instead, and as God would have it, my accommodation was in the city. Every work day, I commute for about 20 Minutes to get to my PPA. Sometimes I get there early other times late, I can remember one time my fellow corp members fought with me because I’d always get to the school earlier than them despite living so far away. Yes, my PPA was a school, an unregistered school by the way.
My initial diversion into tech in 2019 left a burning passion in me that drove me to seek for how to better my craft and also try out many other things during that period. If I could go back in time;
What I would do differently
- Set an NYSC Goal/Plan:
What would you like to have achieved at the end of this year? Write them out, attach timelines to them, and also measure your performance.
NYSC year gives you the luxury of time without pressure from anywhere because everybody understands that you are not fully in the labor market. It’s the perfect time to do trial and error with your career, not your relationship, please 😂, and if you are a Christian, it is also a perfect time to devote yourself to your spiritual growth.
2. Own multiple streams of income:
You can have multiple streams of income during this season. For instance, during NYSC, I would go to my PPA (Primary Place of Assignment) between 9 am — 2 pm, head to a fashion house where I was learning fashion design from 3 pm — 6 pm or thereabout, after this rendevous, I would head home, freshen up, and pick up my laptop to practice coding till later at night or sometimes early the next day.
Due to the fact that I don't have to wake up as early as 4–5 am, I could afford to sleep in and still be active during the day. This may not work for you, but at least it gives you an idea of what it may look like.
3. Pick a new skill:
Remember I said it’s a perfect time for trial and error. You can try out that skill you’ve always wanted to. There is no pressure for you to master this craft in two weeks unlike when you are in a corporate organization where you have to learn on the job.
You can also go ahead to pick up unpaid/paid internships to help you hone these skills which would make it less stressful when you are ready to transition to a corporate environment. You can be lucky to get a job before you leave NYSC and at the same time, you can get a job post-nysc. Employers want someone who can provide the value their business needs.
If you are clueless about what skill to pick up, read this book, How To Make A Successful Career Switch. I shared actionable steps you can take if you are looking to switch careers.
4. Build relationships
Fresh out of university, the idea of the relationship you have is what you practiced in the university which may not be completely relevant in the corporate world. Your NYSC days are meant to give you an overview of what it looks like in the corporate environment, regardless of what or where your PPA is. Be open to learning new and building new relationships.
I will be frank with you, your best friend or gang of friends from the university may not remain your friends especially if you reside in a different geographical location. Friendship thrives more when there is a common interest, your common interest was graduating from the university, and that may be all, except you find another common interest that would bind you together regardless of your respective geographical locations.
5. Be on the lookout for opportunities
I beg you by the mercies of God, don’t wait till your 11th or last month before you start searching for opportunities in your choice of career. I beg you, once again, do not wait.
Yes, there are opportunities out there, at the same time there are thousands of people out there looking for the same opportunity as you, what would stand you out is you and what you have to deliver. Before you get the chance to show what you can deliver, you might have received 1–10 or more rejections. The earlier you start pitching yourself, the better for you.
Lastly, start planning your post-NYSC life from the orientation camp or the first day you step into your PPA. this way you know that all your actions and decision will be to get you to achieve your NYSC goal.
Don’t ever forget that every minute of our lives counts and God is counting on you to make the best out of it.
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Cheers,
