Are you a serving corper or you are about to be mobilised for NYSC? If yes, this article is for you. The National Youth Service Corp (NYSC) as we all know is a platform where graduates from different higher institution, come together for a year in various state to serve their father’s land (Nigeria).
To some folks, this one year is an interesting phenomenon while to others it’s like hell in a packaged form. It will interest you to know that NYSC is a very sensitive period for corp members; it is a period where most people have to make tough decisions. For emphasis sake, let's look at ten tips to note as a Corp member.
1. PLAN AHEAD
During your NYSC year, you get to acclimatize with other cultures, norms and values that are quite different from the ones you are familiar with. This period as it may be quite boring, can also be a great opportunity for Corp Members to add value to themselves. Some folks said NYSC is a waste of time, to me it is a space in time. You are the person to determine how the service year will be to you with the way you plan, prepare and explore it.
You have to find time to plan your life. Have a life journal; something like a big diary or writing material and not just a sheet of paper. What kind of life do you want to live? What kind of job do you want? Do you want to be an entrepreneur? Where do you want to settle down? Where do you want to be in five, ten, twenty years from now? Ask yourself these questions, find answers to them, plan toward them and pen them down.
2. IDENTIFY BUSINESS OPPORTUNITIES
Identity business opportunities if you have an inclination for business, there is nothing stopping you from making as much money as possible during NYSC. Identifying business opportunities is not really a difficult task; you only need to be sensitive to the needs around you. The fact is, the employment market is already saturated and you can create a means of survival for yourself by doing business. It can open more doors for you or at least keep you busy till you get a good job. You can also start private lessons/tutorials during your service year and get paid.
3. LEARN A SKILL
The present economic times are challenging. Folks are losing jobs everyday, the truth be told; the prevailing economic downturn may be around for long. You need to be prepared. You should be proactive and forward thinking. If there is any skill you love to learn, go for it. Your service year may be the best and most appropriate time. You can use the SAED programme as advantage.
Don't waste your time, invest your time. Do something, apply force, be courageous, be proactive. It takes a lot more than being a graduate to succeed. It takes planning, God, focus, discipline and determination to succeed. Being without a job is the worst position one can find themselves. With a little discipline and vision, impending joblessness and the accompanying depression can be avoided. Be smart. Like the Boys Scout Motto: Be Prepared.
4. START THE JOB HUNT
Do not wait till the end of your service year before you start looking for job. Prepare your Curriculum Vitae (CV), apply for jobs and attend interviews. You can get a job while you are still serving and even if you do not get a job, you will gain a lot of experience by writing applications to different companies and attending interviews. It is always great stepping from the khaki straight into a job instead of packing back to your parents’ home to start the job search journey. Though this is rare, but just try, anything can happen (positively).
5. LOOK FOR INTERNSHIP OPPORTUNITIES
Though is also rare in most cases but very possible in some big cities with various industries and companies. Internships are a great way to work your way into a full time job and you should seek to seize any internship opportunity you find in the line of your career as a youth corper. The good news about this is that companies don’t even need to advertise a vacancy before you can apply. In about three months before the end of your service, apply to as many companies as you can, you could be opening doors for a permanent employment.
6. PLAN FOR FURTHER STUDIES
Your first degree is no longer enough in the already competitive employment market so you have to plan to go for further studies. For some, it may be immediately after service year while it may be much later for others. Whichever way, use your service year to find out the best available postgraduate studies in your line of career and get information on scholarships both in local and foreign institutions.
Your first degree is no longer enough in the already competitive employment market so you have to plan to go for further studies. For some, it may be immediately after service year while it may be much later for others. Whichever way, use your service year to find out the best available postgraduate studies in your line of career and get information on scholarships both in local and foreign institutions.
Strive to acquire some professional skills and certificate during your service year. You do not need to depend on your BSc or HND certificate only. The workplace is changing drastically. You need to give them what they want before you can get whatever you need. Get an affordable and accessible platform to run professional courses so you can be employable at the end of your service year.
Almost every profession has an IT inclination now, so find out which IT training and certifications are relevant to your career and go for it. For finance professionals, you can also use the time to prepare for your ICAN exams. Other professional courses like NIM, ISMI, HSE and the likes are also available during the service year at a subsidized rate for corpers.
7. DO NOT RELY ON PROMISES
Do not put too much hope in the promises of uncles, aunts, friends and family who promised you of getting the big paying job for you after service. Many of the talks about knowing this big shot and that "oga at the top" are cheap talks. Seldom do they help one in getting a good job. They have their own problems to solve. So, brace yourself so you don't get disappointed repeatedly. This is the more reason you need to plan ahead.
8. NETWORK AND MEET NEW PEOPLE
Make the best of every good opportunity that comes your way during NYSC. Network and meet new people. Make friends and meet new people right from the basic orientation exercise in camp. Getting acquainted with the right people can be very resourceful because they may be very useful in your job search. Find enough time to get a definite direction for your life so that you will come out a better person, ready to change your world positively.
9. SAVE
I advise you to save at least 20% of your allowance EVERYONE MONTH. Looking most CORPERS that had passed out. I noticed that the first year after service is usually the most challenging for them, because that's the very first time they are experiencing the reality of life in most cases.
The euphoria of school and NYSC are over and the brutal reality stare them in the face. I advise once again that you save some money. Generate an idea of what you may do with such money after your service year, you. You can start up something meaningful as plan B in anticipation of that good paying job. If you can forecast and make adequate plan while serving, you can pass out and become an employer of labour.
Some folks will say, "even my allowance is not enough for me". Yes, money will never be enough, take deliberate decision to save. You will agree with me that in a bit to survive while in school, some folks still save. Same principle can still be adopt in this case. Your allowance may not be enough for you to spend, just try to save and this will be the capital that you will leverage on. Cut down your expenses. It is 100% possible to save little cash. You will definitely need money after your service year to invest in any resourceful idea and also for personal upkeep before you secure a job. Am sure you would not want to go back home asking dad and mum for money to make your hair, money for up keep, etc would you?
I advise you to save at least 20% of your allowance EVERYONE MONTH. Looking most CORPERS that had passed out. I noticed that the first year after service is usually the most challenging for them, because that's the very first time they are experiencing the reality of life in most cases.
The euphoria of school and NYSC are over and the brutal reality stare them in the face. I advise once again that you save some money. Generate an idea of what you may do with such money after your service year, you. You can start up something meaningful as plan B in anticipation of that good paying job. If you can forecast and make adequate plan while serving, you can pass out and become an employer of labour.
Some folks will say, "even my allowance is not enough for me". Yes, money will never be enough, take deliberate decision to save. You will agree with me that in a bit to survive while in school, some folks still save. Same principle can still be adopt in this case. Your allowance may not be enough for you to spend, just try to save and this will be the capital that you will leverage on. Cut down your expenses. It is 100% possible to save little cash. You will definitely need money after your service year to invest in any resourceful idea and also for personal upkeep before you secure a job. Am sure you would not want to go back home asking dad and mum for money to make your hair, money for up keep, etc would you?
10. BROWSE ONLINE FOR VITAL INFORMATION
Cut down your spending to have a fair share of your “Allowee”. Dedicate some cash for internet bundle subscription. Make use of your mobile phone to browse the internet from time to time for information and also learn some stuff via the internet. Let me be frank with you, it is foolishness to spend your days chatting on social media. While those networks help in building connections that may bring opportunities, make sure you do not over use them! Do not be cut off information. Being posted to village is not an excuse for information black-out. Make sure you are always turned to vital information through the internet. Staying connected online gets you the opportunity to be informed on time.
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Nosakhare Godstime Eghosa
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Eghosamay14@gmail.com
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