AFTER NYSC, WHAT NEXT?

With an increasing number of influx of graduates from tertiary institutions every year; leading to an increase in the number of corps members, it is important that every corps member has something feasible and tangible in mind. The thoughts as to what to do should not start after the service year but before or during the service year. The one year starts and ends so fast before you realize it, however, how you have made use of it would determine what your after service year would look like. Of course, not everyone would go for white collar jobs; so I would do a grouping of three categories of people and how they can prepare you for life after service.

1.      JOB SEEKERS (WHITE COLLAR JOBS) - If you realize that you fall in the white collar job category: you can make a list of probable companies you would like to work with, in line with your chosen career. You don’t have to wait till the year is over or almost over. Read up their list of requirements and start working towards it; you can start practicing aptitude questions that they are frequently asked and how to answer such questions. Do not leave out how to answer interview questions and learning its etiquettes.

You should not stop there, make research on certifications that go in line with your career and write them. With the influx of graduates every year, a degree might not be enough to give you a job or sustain you in the job. Write professional examinations that are in line with your career.  If possible, during your service year, strive to gather experience. You can work as a volunteer in a company related to your choice company; don’t be particular about the money.

2.      ENTREPRENEURS- You might have made up your mind not to do the white collar jobs and have plans for entrepreneur, but it is not enough for you to have plans alone, take action, even during your service year. You might have plans of establishing a learnt trade into business, starting a fashion line, becoming a techy personnel, use the National Youth Scheme to start building your brand. Before you think of building your brand, make sure you have learnt and you are still learning the skills required for your entrepreneurial skill.

Be ready to learn extensively in your field. As you also learn, make sure you are practicing what you are learning. Explore platforms to learn and if possible, create your own platform and learn. Explore the social media in relation to your skill. You can also connect with companies within your locality that do things relate to your desired skill. You can also have a mentor who is ready to teach you and monitor you.

3.      POSTGRADUATE STUDIES- It is not a bad idea to desire to study further; which could be related to your first degree or a new field of study. You can choose to study within country or travel outside to further. Make enquiries of schools that offer your desired course, their tuition fees; start thinking of ways to raise the funds. Not because your parents or guardians would not be willing to help, but make up your mind to be willing to help them instead.

If you would like to travel outside the country, make research of schools that offer your course and the tuition fees as well. You can also seek counsel from good educational consultants on scholarship schemes available, the country and the possible challenges. Remember that you would most likely be writing examinations, so you can start practicing the questions. There are study packs that cater for this. Be familiar with requirements and start working towards them.

‘Whatever you hands finds to do, do it well.’ Ensure that you make each passing day of the service year counts, as time waits for no man. ‘No man plan to fail, but fail to plan.’ Make sure you are steps ahead!