Many a graduate believes that NYSC (National Youth Service Corps) is a waste of time and one year of their life. But this is not true. Although one of the main objectives of NYSC according to the Federal Government is to promote national unity and integration, it is also imperative that a graduate has their own objectives.
How can I make a good use of my NYSC?
Before NYSC, you need to ask yourself what you want to make out of it and what the labour market considers as values or components of employability (which are essentially knowledge, skills, and work experience). It is also important you find out the industry where you want to work after NYSC and also the skills the employers want, and do everything humanly possible to journey in that direction.
Remember that work experience can come from a paid or vacation job or even voluntary work.
These days, graduate employers are not just looking for a good degree. They are more interested in skills, work experience and how much value you can add to their company.
What can I do to make myself become employable during and after NYSC?
During NYSC, do some voluntary work. While other youth corps members are gallivanting around, you need to invest your free time to make a difference in people’s lives, improve key skills or add new skills and experience to your CV. And you can do voluntary work for practically anything.
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Secondly, get some certifications that can demonstrate your competences and skillset. It has to be certifications that align with your career goals, not just any random certification. You have to be highly intentional and strategic about this.
It is also important that you take networking very seriously. The people (other corps members, co-workers and friends) you meet during NYSC can recommend you for job opportunities. It may also be for future partnership or collaboration.
Lastly, by all means necessary, where you serve must translate to work experience that you can add to your CV. While it is true that most graduate serve in primary and secondary schools, you can, just like others have done in the past, change where you serve. If a primary or secondary school does not interest you, find another industry or company and ‘fight’ to get in. It is possible. It means you know what you want and are ready to go for it.
The NYSC period is a time for adding huge value to your life. It is time for discovering your USP—Unique Selling Proposition. A period for increasing your significance – significance to yourself, to your potential employers and to the world.
Contrary to popular opinion, it is not a waste of time. It is a year to be used to drastically increase your employability and, if you are strategic enough, land your dream job.
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