You’re a fresh graduate, just out of the school
system probably awaiting National Youth Service Corps or you’re already in the
labour market, patiently waiting. Don’t despair as there abound several business opportunities you can benefit from. All you need to do is open your
eyes to the realisation that you’re no longer in the academic environment, a
school system that is always almost unrealistic compared to the hustling and
bustling nature of the real world, a stunning world where a countless number of
graduates roam the streets in search of the few available jobs. Now isn’t that
scary?
Don’t worry as I’m not here to scare you; I’m only
here to let you see the need to buckle down in order to get yourself prepared
for the challenges at hand.
It’s no longer news (except you’re living in a land
of fantasy) that being a graduate in Nigeria is like being just the other guy
looking for any kind of job. Well, however, exaggerated this seems, it is the
reality. Every year, the Nigerian university systems churn out thousands of
graduates with a gloomy labour market with its attendant hostility, waiting to
reluctantly receive them. But of course, there are few exceptional cases whereby
graduates plan ahead to challenge the labour market by equipping themselves
with the necessary job skills so that by the time they’re graduating, they
will have been very much ready to scale through the hurdles of the alarming
rate of unemployment in the country. But sadly, only a few graduates are prepared
for their post-school life.
But that, seriously, isn’t the main thrust of this
post. My focus here is to lighten up your hope, that despite all these
challenges, you can still survive and come out even stronger than you least
imagine. It all depends on three key elements: patience, persistence and
positivity. Are you patient? Will you be persistent and positive no matter
what?
The Five Business Ideas You Can
Benefit From
Meantime, while job-hunting, there are five things
you can do that could help close the gap between your unemployed state and
productivity. These five things will go a long way in sustaining you for a
while, before you get your dream job – that’s if you would still be looking for
a job after tasting the freedom of entrepreneurship.
1. Information
Marketing
Information marketing also called internet business,
is one of the ways a graduate could earn a living while still job-hunting. It
is an online business for which you need a domain name or a free blog to start.
If there is a particular skill you acquired during your undergraduate days,
this is the best platform to put it to use. For, to be frank, blogging or information
marketing only works for a person who has set out to solve people’s problems or
provide things people need. Once you can render services often required by
people such as tech tips, fashion tips, culinary skills tips, even blogging tips
etc., and can package the information in an ebook, you should thrive well as an
information marketer. Read this article to know more
about how you can earn from information marketing.
2. Freelancing
This is one of the best ways to earn a side income.
Many people in various fields, students, journalists and graphic artists are
reaping the goldmine of freelancing. Can you do it? Yes, of course. Well, it’s
simple: if you’re passionate about writing, editing and proofreading, web
designing, graphics or possess other relevant skills that you think people
could benefit from, then you’re good to go. This is what freelancing entails;
people pay you online in exchange for a service rendered in trust. It’s a
tested and confirmed ways people are making money today. I am. You too can. To
explore this lucrative outlet, go to Fiverr.com, Upwork.com, and Freelancer.com. Start earning today.
3. Private Teaching
I’m not going to dwell much on this because it’s
popular. It’s also a means a fresh graduate can earn cool income as he looks
for a job. To get private coaching isn’t difficult, is it? All you need is a
little bit of boldness and networking. Exploiting one’s contacts to the best of
advantage has been a most recurring issue when it comes to getting a job.
Rather than sit idly at home wallowing in unnecessary lamentation and
complaints about the failure of the government to provide jobs, go out there and
meet with the right people who know someone who knows someone who in turn knows
someone whose little son or daughter is in need of a private/home tutor. By
extension, you may as well explore many tutorial centres around you and apply
as a part-time tutor. Half a loaf is better than no bread. To earn through this
platform, go to prepclass.com.ng.
4. Estate Agent/Laundry Manager
I know this sounds somewhat awkward to some
graduates! Yeah. It sure does. But of course, I wouldn’t have included it in
this list if it isn’t already working for many graduates – yes, graduates like you.
In most cases, you’re assigned an intermediary role where you get to liaise
with people looking for houses to rent, to lease or even to purchase, depending
on how deep you want to go into this business. I tell you, it’s profitable both
financially and self-developmentally. During the cause of meeting with clients, you’re presented with the opportunity of enhancing your oral communication and
interpersonal skills, both of which are most almost indispensable, employable
qualities. And of course, some graduates are doing pretty well with the laundry
business as well. We’ve heard success stories of graduates who put a stop to
their seemingly never-ending job search, having realised a veritable financial
potential in the laundry business. That I included this also in the list is an
indication of its genuineness. Trust me. I’ve heard of a guy, a BSc graduate, who
now runs a big laundry enterprise with about five members of staff on his
payroll. Isn’t that fantastic?
5. Volunteer
Job
Volunteering for organisations within your vicinity is also one
of the very good ways of overcoming the few boring months one often spends as a
fresh graduate. A secretary is needed in your Islamic organisation in the
mosque, apply; a public relations officer in your church, why not go for it?
With the community development association in your area, volunteer as a
resource person or programme facilitator. I can assure you that with humility,
diligence plus a positive mindset, it won’t be long before someone links you up
with a bigger opportunity. In the process, you’re acquiring basic skills such
as communication and interpersonal, often needed in the corporate world. If you
wish to volunteer for organisations, check impact-initiative.
In all, you’re a fresh graduate which means that you
have zero job experience, still a newbie in the labour market. However, you
will be doing yourself a greater disservice if you believe jobs will fly at you
by merely waiting for it, believing only in your numerous job applications and
probably a few aptitude tests and interviews. But I bet you if you consider at
least one of the above-mentioned productive engagements amidst your job search,
you won’t only have equipped yourselves with some of the marketable skills
needed to excel in your forthcoming job, but will have also boosted your CV.
nice info
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