Invest in yourself: a degree is not everything

We have previously discussed setting our priorities straight as young adults, but perhaps we should approach something else, something we all know but usually neglect: the need to invest in yourself.

After school, I started a little hectic work to raise some so I could learn how to drive commercial bus. Yes. True story! I decided on being a bus driver if I couldn’t get my dream job. I didn’t tell any of my friends my plan, because I wanted to take them by surprise.

What I’m trying to say is while you wait for your dream job, get busy doing something.  Staying idle will only make you complacent, it will also portray you as un-serious, lazy and irresponsible.

A female friend of mine proceeded to join a catering school after her NYSC, and at the end of her 3-month programme, she went further into dress-making/tailoring. She didn’t set out to be a caterer or a tailor, but this preoccupation brought her a quiver full of skills that have stood her in good stead.

Salaried work isn’t the only type of work available, and qualifications may not necessarily get you all you need in life.  If you have the idea or the skill, you just may end up with people on your payroll.

You might say you don’t have the money to learn a skill, but you might be able to do some sort of menial job to raise that cash for yourself. Come to that, you may be amazed just how cheap it is to do a learned skill or at least partake in a foundation course.

I’ve had to work as a boutique attendant, a nanny to busy couples and a little buying and selling to get by.

The titbit of funds garnered here and there that we take for granted can be invested in little business. You can easily ask a family member for a bit of cash or ask your friends for soft loans and they would probably oblige.

Do not stay idle; do not allow yourself to waste away while waiting for that dream phone call or job.

Acquire a skill!

It doesn’t matter if you’re male or female. You can learn a bit of manicuring, hairdressing, electronics, furniture making or photography. You might discover you are a dab hand at making pastries or can take great shots for a friend’s wedding for a few quid.

It is always too hard until you start and discover something is actually achievable – and possibly fun, financially and emotionally rewarding!

Forget about that certificate that has refused to attract a job for a minute, get busy and make your idea yield!