Reality Check

I learnt the importance of networking the hard way. I thought going to school was just all about getting the best grade and every other thing will fall into place for you. Reality dawn on me when it was time to get a job. My result became useless and "who recommended you?" Was the question on every interviewer's lips. With disappointment, I moved with my file in hand from one office to another. It was like a dream to me, I thought having a good result was enough to get a good job and if it comes to defending the result - I could. My hopes went up when I was asked to write an exam at one of the interviews and I finished in record time. The interviewers said they've seen none like me and showered me with praises. I was happy and went ahead to get ties, shirts and trousers waiting for the day I'd be called. The call never came through.

I began to wonder if the tales I heard of Excellent students securing good jobs and scholarships was a farce or am I the unlucky one? I started hating myself and was closed to depression. I went for the option I've been ignoring for long, but by the time I did, it cost me a full year. A longer than usual 365 days. Lived with pain, annoyance and hatred towards everyone involved.

I got into the university and thought of ways history won't repeat itself. I don't want to go back into that hole again. No one would understand how I felt during that long year even if I explain to them over and over. I spoke with different people and I expressed how worried I am, the expectations people have for the intelligent ones in class, the stigma and the unspoken hope that they fail after school so they can be mocked and used as an example. Believe me, this is something most students have in mind. It's easy for the news of "1 out of 10" Distinction students that end up on the street begging to trend that the news of "9 out of 10" pass students ending up on the street. People prefer the former to the latter.

I decided that I won't let the noise affect me, or the expectations. This second chance given to me won't be wasted. I resolved to try my best to be the best version of myself but not fight to be the best. This might sound funny and confusing, but it's my decision. From speaking to people I got to know ways one can be assured of getting a job after school.

- Father's connection or position

If your dad has a company, then you are assured of getting a job. Jobs like that aren't based on merit, your result doesn't matter, you've qualified by birth just like the host nation of the world cup tournament. It's one of the easiest and most assured ways. One's Dad can also know someone working in a company you desire to work at, that is another way. The reason why a friend said to me one day "The friends you make now are the connections your children will need"

- Depend on luck

Some term this "God factor" or "merit". It's rare to see but it happens, maybe I wasn't just lucky. This is when a graduate with good result graduates and get a job instantly. So many companies fight to have him work for them and he is left to choose the best option. It doesn't necessarily have to be a Distinction student. They know no one but still get a job, hence the 3 different names people call them.

- People/friends you connect with

This is a powerful tool that works for both Distinction students and pass students. You are not just in school just for the certificate, Far from it, you need to start expanding your network right from school. The one everyone might look at as the most irrelevant in class might be the ladder to your success.

Try to have no foe and be on good terms with everyone. This doesn't mean you should start befriending every tom, dick and harry. No, be the type that can be Recommended for a job by any of your coursemates in case there's one. Right from school start building your network, attend workshops and seminars, have your CV designed and get ready to be rejected but be ready to try again.

-Don't expect any job

This is another way to go about it. Rather than sit waiting to get a job, find a way to create a Job. In Economics we are taught some people saw the problems facing society and propose a solution to them. In doing that they became known. We need to change the mentality that we are owed a job after graduating. It might be so in some other countries, but the situation of things in the country is known to everyone. You can be disappointed one you have no prior expectations.

Rather than wallow in self-pity and join the millions in complaining every day about the state of things in the country, why do you find ways to stand out? Find ways to be the solution to problems and not add to the list of problems. My brother George_dee is a typical example of a problem solver. Rather than sit and complain all day about how bad things are in the country, he got to work.

Conclusion

If you're still a student, you should start thinking of life after school right now. Are you going to add to the unending list of unemployed youths and underpaid workers or are you going to be the solution to some people's problem?

Though not in detail, the first two paragraphs is something that happened to me and a conversation on noisecash with Giddyboy reminded me of it, he asked me to share the story but I don't think I am ready to give full details yet. It's something I look back to and I feel sad, but it was an eye-opener to the crude reality of what the world is all about. Take your decision now!

Thanks for Reading!✍💚🤗

Special thanks to ma'am @JonicaBradley for the sponsorship renewal.