Field Practical Training 2.0
It's standard practice in Nigeria's higher institution system to have every student go for at least six months industrial training in their chosen field and discipline at some point during the course of their study. The aim of this program is to make sure the students have hands-on experience and are ready for the labour market on graduation.
Normally, when that time comes, which is usually at the penultimate year of study, the students are told to find suitable places of attachment by themselves, giving the liberty to choose what suit them best.
In the Faculty of Agriculture, University of Benin, which is where I study, that choice is not up to the students, but the management. Due to the very delicate and technical nature of our field, there are very few institutions capable of actually serving the purpose of providing proper hands-on experience to our students, and as a result, we usually go together to the chosen institutions.
In my department, the management usually makes the decision of where we have to go and how long we can stay. So, December last year, that decision was made for us. We had to go to a farm in Benin, and another agro-institute at Lagos. Due to the COVID pandemic and all, it was decided that we should go to the first location in two groups. I left for the station about seven weeks ago for the station, did the needful and came back about four weeks back. The second group went and had returned a week ago. The whole of that one week was meant for resting and preparation for our second station in Lagos.
Today is D-day. We are supposed to be in school where the vehicles transporting us will be waiting. This is to ensure we can leave as early as 8:00am today. I spent the whole of the past two days trying to prepare as best as i could under the circumstances; circumstances been, no money at hand and the constant dipping of BCH which is preventing me from selling my BCH holdings. Still that's not my biggest problem, as I have faith that I'll survive, one way or the other, but I'm not so sure my read.cash account will.
During my first spell of the industrial training, due to the fact that I was always tired by the time I got home, I was really struggling to keep my account active. I did keep up for the first two weeks, posting constantly with little to no engagement. My account earning and interactions with my articles reduced drastically. My earnings were next to nothing and I was worried Rusty would abandon me soon. I was really hoping he would hold out for one more week, but two days before the end of the period, he left me completely, and I was shattered.
It took a lot on my path to get his attention back, but my earnings never recovered, up until now. My earnings are mediocre, but at least engagement is looking up. Now, with the second part of my IT starting tomorrow, I'm afraid my account might finally take a finishing blow.
I worry because I know I will be very tired after every day's work and most likely won't be able to interact or post here. This is because whatever little energy I have left, I would probably expend to prepare dinner and by the time I'll finish eating, my bed will be calling me in an irresistible voice.
I guess I can only pray and hope. I plan on making the best of this second part of it though, like I did with the first. While my read.cash account and friendships suffered in the three weeks, my relationship with members of my class improved greatly, so much so I can now laugh with people who I would be too disgusted to look at on a normal day. I plan on doing same this time; getting to know and understand the personalities of each and every member of the class.
I know this IT won't be easy, but I'm hopeful. I would really love to keep you guys up to date on my dealings and experience there. I hope nothing stands in the way of that. Wish me luck guys and put me in your prayers.
I would like to use this opportunity to appreciate my sponsors @GarrethGrey07 and @remona for the sponsorship renewal. Go bless you guys for you constant and unwavering confidence and belief in me. I will continue to do my best. Hopefully, I'll never disappoint you.
Thanks for your precious. I hope this rant meant something to you for whatever reason.
Here in my country the universities also have this system of internships with students in the last semester. After they have already completed all the academic credits. Here these practices are called "internships". They also last six months and it is also stressful for the students because at the end of the internship they have to hand in an internship report and that report has to be under the same APA norms. I tell you that I was a university professor and I was the one who reviewed the final report for approval. For the professors this stage is also stressful. I wish you good luck and good development of your field work my friend.