How to position yourself for success after graduation

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“God when?”, Emeka sorrowfully pondered.

Emeka couldn’t help but stare at the nice buildings, corporately dressed workers and nice cars as he trudged along Marina in Lagos Island.

He had just finished another interview. He had lost count of the number of interviews he had attended since he graduated 3 years previously.

After the euphoria of graduating with 2^nd Class Upper (2.1) in Computer Science, he had come to realize his certificate offered no guarantees. The tales about graduate unemployment he usually shrugged off in school were now proving to be reality.

Emeka’s case is synonymous with that of many Nigerian graduates. After investing time, money and effort in higher institutions of learning, it is scary to realize that there aren’t enough jobs to go around the teeming mass of graduates unleashed annually by our universities, polytechnics and colleges of education.

While acknowledging the fact that there aren’t enough jobs, we also have to admit that many of our graduates lack the right skills to thrill employers.

Two things are responsible for this sad turn of events:

• Our educational sector is nothing to write home about and emits half-baked graduates
• Many students don’t take advantage of opportunities to improve themselves while in school. It’s either they aren’t aware of such opportunities or they are engaged in other less value-adding activities.

The following tips are for students and fresh graduates who desire to succeed after graduation despite the hurdles associated with living in Nigeria.

Tips to position yourself for life after graduation

TIP 1: ACQUIRE TECHNICAL SKILLS RELEVANT TO YOUR COURSE OF STUDY

I majored in Computer Science in the university. Back then, we were taught FORTRAN, COBOL and BASIC programming languages. Few of us had personal laptops or desktops so we had to make do with the few desktops in the computer lab. It was commonplace to see 15 students clustering around a desktop during practical.

In my final year, I needed to develop a software application to meet the requirements of my project. I realized I could not use any of the languages we had been taught. This was because the lack of computers for practical lessons and the suboptimal learning space meant that many of us including myself had just the minimum required knowledge to pass the programming courses.

I made enquiries and found a place in Owerri town where I was able to learn Programming in Visual Basic. In a period of six months, I was able to learn enough of the language to develop the software application for my final year project.

This practical skill enabled me to get a job almost immediately after graduation before I went for the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC).

“Every skill you acquire doubles your odds of success” – Scott Adams

Irrespective of your course of study, ensure you learn a technical or professional skill relevant to your course.

The advent of the internet and its increasing adoption by Nigerians has made it easier for any ambitious student to acquire skills and knowledge

Accountancy/Statistics/Economics and related courses:

• If you are studying to become an accountant or related field, initiate the process of acquiring the ICAN and/or ACCA qualifications.
• Learn accounting software like QuickBooks, Sage, ZipBooks, Zoho Office Suite and so on

Architecture and Civil Engineering students

• Work with bricklayers, building/structural engineers and architects at building sites
• Learn AutoCAD, Autodesk, 3D Studio Max, Revit and other software tools

Engineering

• Mechanical engineering students could in their spare times or holidays, work as apprentices with mechanics and technicians
• Electrical, Electronics students can seek for apprentice opportunities with electricians and electronics repairers
• Learn how to use software like AutoCAD, MATLAB, QCAD and 3D Modelling tools

Computer Science/Engineering/Information Technology

We are in the Information Technology Age. Everything we do is now influenced by technology. Health, education, finance, construction, engineering, security and so forth. ICT skills are well sought after and you can write your own cheque if you become adept in any relevant IT skill.

Before you graduate, you could learn:

• Programming & Scripts: Python, Ruby, JavaScript, .Net, Java, Structured Query Language etc.
• Database Development & Administration: Microsoft SQL Server, MySQL, Oracle etc.
• Networking: CCNA, CCNP, etc.
• Website design: HTML, CSS, WordPress, Drupal, Joomla
• Digital Marketing: Search Engine Optimization, Search Engine Marketing
• Data Analytics and Mining
• Graphic Design: Photoshop, CorelDRAW, GIMP
• Artificial Intelligence and Robotics

Medicine and Surgery/Pharmacy/Nursing

Improve your research skills. Volunteer in hospitals and health centers where possible. You will pick real-life skills that will complement what you learn in school.

Be comfortable with technology. Make use of software tools and apps like:

• Epocrates
• MedCalc
• Human Anatomy Atlas
• Medscape
• Daily Rounds: Latest clinical cases from medical schools worldwide
• Prognosis

Browse about the latest medical research.

Utilize content including videos from resources like:

• Google
• YouTube
• OnlineMedEd.com
• Mednet.ucla.edu
• hardinmd.lib.uiowa.edu

Food Science, Nutrition, Dietetics and related courses

• Register for a course in catering.
• Know when fruits and foods are in season and where to source them.

Marketing and Sales Related Courses

If you’re studying a marketing or sales related program like Estate Management, Marketing and so on, endeavor to hone your sales skills. The truth is, sales and marketing roles are some of the highest paid in any industry. They are also the most likely to be incentivized which means that a very good salesperson or marketer has the potential to generate massive income.  

Mass Communication, Journalism & Public Relations related courses

• You could start a blog
• Write on campus magazines and journals
• Write a book
• Volunteer at radio and tv stations

Geography, Geology

• Learn how to use GIS analysis software like QGIS and ArcGIS
• Learn how to read maps
• Understand how software like Google Map work
• Learn photography

TIP 2: ACQUIRE SOFT SKILLS

Soft skills are interpersonal, social, attitudinal and other non-technical traits that enable you to work well with others and fit into the workplace.

Your technical expertise pales into insignificance if you lack key soft skills.  

Learn and work on your soft skills such as:

• Communication
• Listening
• Critical thinking and problem solving
• Creativity
• Collaboration/Teamwork
• Attention to detail
• Empathy
• Time Management
• Leadership
• Delegation
• Presentation and Public Speaking

Students can learn some of these skills by volunteering or belonging to extra-curricular groups in school. Industrial training (SIWES) is also a veritable opportunity for students to pick up many of these skills. Try to participate in excursions and field trips organized by your department. Sadly, many students don’t take advantage of these opportunities.

TIP 3: NETWORK, MAKE FRIENDS and CONNECTIONS

He who has friends is richer than he who has money – African proverb

Man is a social being. Whom you know, they say, is as important as what you know. Statistics supports this belief.

Human resource professionals indicate that approximately 80% of vacancies are not publicly advertised. This means that a staggering 800 out of every 1000 jobs are filled through the hidden job market.

It is also pertinent to note that a much higher proportion of contracts and projects are given to individuals and enterprises who personally or professionally know the decision makers responsible for awarding the contracts.

The uninformed and unconnected might scream nepotism or corruption, but that’s the way it is.

You need online and offline connections to achieve your personal and career objectives.

As a student, start building connections while in school. Try to interact with your lecturers and fellow students. Get and keep their contacts. Periodically reach out to them during holidays and when you graduate.

Your network might be the difference between spending 2 years at home or getting a job few weeks after graduation.

Online learning platforms you should utilize to improve yourself:

• Codecademy.com
• Coursera.org
• Edx.org
• Lynda.com
• Udemy.com
• Udacity.com
• P2PU.org
• Khanacademy.org
• Academicearth.org
• Alison.com

Conclusion

Acquiring the right skills, making the right connections and adopting the right attitude is a recipe for success.

Before you graduate, you could also seek to acquire skills like barbing, fashion design, hair dressing, driving, shoe making/mending and so on.

A particular student in my hostel in school was a cobbler and shoe maker. Most evenings, after lectures, he would sit in the hostel courtyard mending footwear for students. I doubt if he struggled to feed or pay his fees.

I am sure we all know fellow students who have such skills and use them to survive or augment the support received from parents/guardians.

With the right skills, you are unlikely to go hungry.