By Nwogo Valentine Nnanna
First of all, congratulations on bagging a degree, you must be proud for doing so. All your hard work and sleepless nights have finally paid off.
SO WHAT NEXT?
While you are in the realm of celebrating this huge accomplishment, please do not be carried away by that and most of all, by the online hype of graduating.
Yes, I see the usual white t-shirt wearing and pouring of water on you syndrome going about on Facebook(that is good…. Have fun with it) but again, WHAT NEXT?
I know you all are happy that you have closed a chapter in your life, especially from the early morning lectures, assignments, strikes, exams, stress and hustle of school, but, not to spoil your vibe, the real work begins.
I mean, the real stress and hustle of life start NOW!
Again I ask, WHAT NEXT?
I know a lot you would say NYSC of course.
But, while you wait for your final result and NYSC call-up list to be out, what is the plan?
I know a lot of you have plans but, what will your plan(s) give birth to?
Well, I suggest you make yourself a SMART goal while you wait. Have goals that are specific but, also make sure it is measurable to achieve.
Strategize so that you know this plan or goal can be attainable. Most of all, make it is relevant to you and the people around you within a time I believe most of you have your long term goals ready in place but, then remember, you can only achieve your long term goals if you start with some short term goals.
Make them now!
Well, I know some of you would say you went to school for your parents probably because you studied a course they asked you to. Most of you went into school not studying the course you applied for because of admission palava, and a very little of you studied what you applied for or probably liked or did not like what you studied.
But then, what are you going to do NEXT?
You all know how our country is built and how broken our economy is. So, there are no shortcuts in these streets.
Make plans now that you are still fresh out of the school system(even though you were supposed to make them while in school).
On the contrary, plans do not always go as expected but, you will certainly have a sense of direction, you will not be pressured, neither will you feel like you are suffering or hustling without results.
A lot of you have several interests in the entertainment industry and now as a graduate, you might be carried away by the freedom that you now have. Please, do not be like those artists who are living life on Facebook and Instagram but, are suffering in real life.
Squatting with people and jumping from state to state.
No, don’t be like them.
Do not dump that degree you just acquired.
I think it will be wise if you start a small business or look for a job son that you have a steady income that will assist you in chasing your career in entertainment (for those that have interest in entertainment).
Most of our youths have been led astray by what they see on social media and tend to rush just because they want to live life, maybe do music, be a model, or be an actor/actress.
I know looking for a job in Nigeria is as difficult as trying to graduate from the university without a strike. Trust me, if you can graduate, then, you will be able to find something small to do before your BIG BREAK.
Something small can be learning a craft like make-up, music production, baking, working as a sales boy/girl, etc, to enable you stay to your grind.
Believe me, there are so many master degree holders doing it talk more of you.
I know that you don’t want to be that uncle or aunty who is a graduate but cannot at least help buy pepper in the house for your mother. So, do something LEGAL, no matter how small it is.
Do not forget also to engage in national competitions.
Win or not, you will get exposure and you never know who is watching.
GLO: 15139-72453-19686
More so, my dear ladies, the freedom of being a graduate can be a slow poison, it can eat you gradually until the death of you.
I probably know “some” of you are ready to travel up and down, dating multiple sugar daddies or even ready to get married as a way of getting an inflow of cash.
Wonderful!……. Good one.
But before you go about with that plan, I hope you all do see what goes on the internet, seeing how women are being killed through rituals and now, domestic violence which is becoming an epidemic in the society today.
What about being that lady who is investing in her plans no matter how small there are, with a career or a business (make-up/makeover, etc) for the time being.
Just before you attack me, I definitely know not every girl is Linda Ikeji. Just as we have Mo Abudu, Omotola Jalade, China Ike, etc, there can be a very successful Dooshima, a great Ene, etc.
Be first of all successful on your own before you need a man. Trust me, you won’t be desperate for a relationship that involves physical or mental abuse because of Money. Make a proper plan and trust the process.
9MOBILE- 9492 5155 7797 542.
Finally, for all the current students, I charge you to make plans now before you graduate.
Use your holidays by applying for internships or jobs shadowing in your field of study/place of interest.
(It doesn’t really matter if you are paid or not).
If you do well, you don’t have to worry about connections and creating a great resuméfor yourself.
Most of all, improve your skills.
We all know how graduates suffer on the streets just looking for a job. Be wise!!!.
While we celebrate our latest graduates, let’s pray for them as well, because it is a crazy world out there.
© NwogoJr 2019
Wow awesome write up