Graduate Palava: Tips on Finding and Growing Your Career in Nigeria

Are you a Nigerian graduate currently trying to navigate the career world?

Or are you interested in carving your own career path despite the challenges in the country?

As a Nigerian graduate, there’s one thing you should know: there’s no guarantee of working in the field you studied. And even if there is, that shouldn’t stop you from growing in your other areas of interest.

Some of you end up losing interest in pursuing a career in your course of study. That’s normal too. In this article, we will explore some vital things you should note as you begin your career journey.

How the Choose Your Career Path

Already a graduate but not sure where to go from there? Check out the following tips on how to choose your career path:

1. Self discovery

Sounds basic, right? But you should know your career is a lifetime venture. So you ought to put some things in place before considering any opportunity. So you should know:

• Your hobbies
• Likes and dislikes
• Things you’d like to achieve in life (career and personal wise)
• Skills you’d like to learn
• Places you want to go, etc.

Once you have some or all of these figured out, you’d find it easy to know which opportunity to seek out and which one to take if given.

2. Growing your hobby into a career

This should be easy for those with natural talents that they have been honing from a young age, like drawing, sewing, repairing electronics, writing, calculating, buying and selling, etc.

If you recognize any of these as things you used to do and love, then why not take advantage of your talents? and If you were lucky to still pursue these while at school (either as a course or side hustle), good for you! If you weren’t, it’s not too late to begin somewhere. Don’t feel ashamed that you’d be settling for things like these after spending four or more years studying something else. Instead, see this as a great opportunity to do what you love and make money out of it.

3. Tracking Your Field of Study

Before submitting your resume to a recruiter, make sure that you’ve been closely following how your field of study is progressing. Understand the new developments they have undergone, and the skills you may require for the job. It’s no longer just about what you’ve studied in the university alone. For example, if you want to work in a pharmaceutical company, you must have had one or two companies in mind. So be sure to keep track of what they have done so far, what they’re doing now, and the things they require from an applicant. 

8 Ways to Grow the Career of Your Dreams in Nigeria

So… you’ve finalized on your career path. But you still have to grow it! Below are 8 Ways to boost your career as a Nigerian:

1. Networking

You’re fresh out of school and ready to get a job. And maybe you’ve started reaching out to the few contacts you had from uni, but no luck. Why not reach out to your friends and family then? Let them help you be on the lookout for job openings too. Don’t let your pride fool you into seeing this as an embarrassment, or that you’re now an independent person. It’s okay to ask for help when you need one, especially from those with connections you would need.

2. Create a Linkedin Profile 

LinkedIn is an online platform that enables you to advertise yourself to industries and hiring managers. And also to create new connections with like-minded minded individuals in your field of interest and beyond. You get to build new networks, explore job openings, and engage with organizations you’re interested in.

Read: 10 Ways to Upgrade Your LinkedIn Profile

3. Take up some online skills/courses

You can do this even as an undergraduate. But as a graduate, you get more time to showcase what you’ve learned, and earn a living out of it.

Not sure what skill to acquire? You can choose from the top 10 in-demand digital skills in Nigeria.

4. Seek out Volunteer/Internship roles

Perhaps you’re on your job search and a friend informs you about an organization looking for volunteers or interns. By all means, accept the offer, even if you have no experience. Highlight the skills you possess and things you’d like to learn as you progress. Who knows, you may meet a potential employer there.

5. Attend career-related events

Don’t always see this as a waste of time. Such events can help get a proper understanding of knowing more about your career and how to progress in your field.

Whether or not you have gotten your dream job, don’t forget to:

6. Keep Updating Your Resume

With each experience or skill you attain, don’t hesitate to add it to your resume/CV. 

Check out how to write a great CV even without work experience! Your Internship or SIWES could also count as work experience. Likewise, you may include volunteering activities with NGO’s, etc.

7. How about your own start-up?

Not everyone wishes to work for an organization.  Whether you wish to start a tech career or just a simple business, know that it’s not going to be easy. But you can start small. Also be open to expanding your knowledge, reach out to professionals, and promote your brand or startup on social media!

8. Pray for Guidance

Just as you ask people for help, so also do you need God’s help. In fact, you need Him more than people. So whatever you decide to do, seek for God’s guidance and blessings to make it easy for you. 

Conclusion

Finding a job in Nigeria isn’t easy so don’t hold your breath. Seek for new ways to grow and develop your skill set. Be on the lookout for opportunities no matter how little they may seem. You might even have to take up a job you least expect, but look on the bright side and use the experience to your advantage. Good luck.