After your first job, nobody gives a damn any more! But wait… getting a job may not be your best option.
Well, I didn’t have a 3rd Class, it was a second class lower. But there is this feeling I had having left with 2:2 that I think is common to 3rd class graduates. I felt I had failed. I school at the time when all employers request is either a first class or a second class upper. I was sorrowful, believing that I had no place in the job market.
But it was somewhat good for me. I didn’t have the sense of security that my mates with higher grades have. What do I mean? Sometimes, the worst thing that can happen to a person is having a certificate. I have seen this at a close range. It keeps them in a straight jacket. It’s either the get a job or nothing. Withdraw the certificate from their lives, and they are completely useless.
Well, since I didn’t have a certificate that was that strong, I had to figure out a way for myself, else I won’t measure up to my mates (so it seemed then). This got me thinking, thus, while my mates were preparing for the job market and submitting CVs around, I was working on figuring a way out for my life.
This made me try several things at different points in my life. And it helped me understand that after your first job, all your employer cares about is what you can give, not what a paper says you have.
Since I wasn’t looking for a job, I have had to do the following:
GSM phone repairer: In the era when mobile phones where new in Nigeria (when Nokia 3310 was king), I had to learn how to repair mobile phones and did that for a while. I quit because the big boys in the industry, whom we look up to always tell stories of how a customer arrested them and took them to the police station over a phone repair issues. I didn’t like that, so I quit.
Me tea/Me sheyi: During my service year, I was an apprentice to an Hausa guy who sells indomie, bread and tea. I worked for him (after school hours) during my one year of service in Edo state. In turn I get free dinner everyday.
Computer tutor: this was also during my service year. I saved some of my monthly allowance (the Govt. pays N9,700 then), traveled to Lagos and bought a desktop (perhaps you are familiar with when what we use was PIII and a CRT) and started teaching computer for a fee. I had a few students and I charge N600 per student. Towards the end of my service year, I realized I had been targeting the wrong market, my fellow corps members didn’t know computers too. I was able to teach two and charged them N2,500 each just before I left.
Computer dealer: This was during my service year too. People started requesting for computers, so I travel down to computer village in Ikeja, bought the computers and sell to them in the village. I had a good reputation, so my buyers will usually give me money in advance, even without seeing what they were paying for. I always made sure I beat their expectations.
Private lessons: After my service year, I returned to Lagos and taught physics and mathematics from house to house. My first student was an SS 1 girl in Magodo. She hated further maths like shit and always had an F. I became friends with both her and parents because I was able to take her from F to A. The mother collected my CV and tried very hard to help me get a job, though she was unable to; but I really appreciate her efforts.
Cybercafe: I once owned one. But the internet became readily available and affordable and the business died a natural death. I shut down, quit and went back to teaching.
School teacher: I have taught in both primary and secondary schools.
Presently: I work as an e-learning course developer. In my spare time, I develop websites and mobile apps, and I also teach private students web developing.
Why am I telling you too much stories? What posed itself as a challenge helped me evolve over the years. I had to do things that I naturally wouldn’t do If I had a strong degree. I just want you to understand that limitation exists no where but in our minds. It is true that life might be harder for a 3rd class graduate, the opportunities are slim, but there is always a way out. You may be doomed when all you think about is getting a job. Think about other options, don’t worry yourself so much because you are doing something beneath you. It’s for a while.
And honestly, after your first job, if that is what you are after and you are lucky enough to get one, nobody cares anymore!
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