Confused? it’s undoubtedly frustrating to be a student or a graduate and not be able to work in your dream company. Ever seen an engineer working at a bank? Or a geography graduate working at a restaurant? You must have seen one if not these but others working in a place that has no relation to what they studied in the university.
Why can’t students work in companies?
I know what you are thinking, it’s hard to get a job or work in companies as a student but not impossible. In Nigeria, yes it’s very hard why? Even a graduate finds it hard to get a job in Nigeria, the reason is the company is either looking for someone with 5 or more years of work experience or looking for someone with perfect grades. The most common reason is work experience while some are saving the position for someone else or selling the job to put it in simple terms have a “connection”
Do you want to get a job in Nigeria?
Here’s how you can get a job without being a graduate, it’s not a new update that the unemployment rate of Nigeria is high. If you want to get a job as a student before graduating or after graduating follow the below tips.
1. Get a skill
If you are hoping to work in a particular company, go for a skill you know they can’t reject or go for a skill that matters generally in all companies. Tech skills, copywriting, content writing, digital marketing e.t.c. are the most wanted in companies. Once you acquire a skill they need, to turn you down will be hard. Yes, this is Nigeria but nothing is impossible. Take a walk and look everywhere, most people are into small businesses and some are trying to learn a skill. Learn digital marketing if you want to work in a marketing company, and learn graphic design if you want to work in an advertising company.
When you review your CV with all the skills you have learned and the most relevant to the company, it increases your chance of getting the job.
Click here to check the top 10 digital skills on demand in Nigeria
2. Get work experience while in school
It doesn’t have to be a big job. You can get experience through internships, taking online courses, and volunteering in companies with your career path. Apply for an internship while still in school, this may clash with your studies but there are virtual internships, or you can apply for a physical internship if you can balance it with the school. Most times you can get retained in the company you intern but an internship adds up to your work experience. Take as many internships as you want, then apply for a job when you are ready. Here is why digital skills are important for African students.
3. Try networking with people
Networking in Nigeria is very important, in Nigeria as we know it, everything needs connection. To build your network from school, get to know people, go on social media and relate with people that can help you. Try using LinkedIn to achieve this, as there are great minds, businesses oriented, and others. Remember to always be polite and build a good relationship with people, they can be of assistance when you need them. Checkout 10 Ways to Upgrade Your LinkedIn Profile as a Nigerian Student
4. Don’t wait for Nigeria
Then finally, don’t wait for Nigeria. Start a small business, try to leverage the use of the internet, and work as a freelancer. Work remotely for foreign clients, and use your learned skills to get elsewhere here. According to a report on “The State of Entrepreneurship in Nigeria 2021,” “43 and 67 per cent of entrepreneurs in the country are women and youths between the ages of 18 and 35,” respectively. Entrepreneurship is another way you can make money and start your brand immediately after you graduate or while in school.
Imagine how it would feel to be a graduate with a huge amount of money in your bank account and do something productive while in school to help you get a job while in school and after graduation.
Final Note
In Nigeria’s current state, the education system is ruined and has ruined the chances of graduating at the right time. There’s no assurance that ASUU will be settled, your certificate is on hold for a while. Get a skill, join an internship or volunteer to work in a community or somewhere about your career path. With consistency and positivity, you can get a job without being a graduate. Good luck!