TIPS TO MAKING GOOD USE OF PRE-NYSC PERIOD
Dear Jarus,
I am a recent accounting graduate with second class upper degree. I graduated in August 2015. I have not done my clearance yet and NYSC is next year. I am someone who is eager to learn. I started my job search this month. I have been calling different accounting firms for internship so as to gain experience but they give different excuses, like there is no space, the economy is bad, we don’t accept interns etc. I have dropped my CV in some companies.
I really want to work instead of being at home jobless. I don’t mind if I’m not paid as far as I am learning from the company. I read on Nairaland that your first job was in a investment firm. How did you get it? Can you give me tips on how to stop being jobless? I want to learn accounting packages since I can’t find a job but I don’t have a laptop yet so I postponed that to NYSC period. I just want to be useful until I go for my NYSC.
Wale
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Dear Wale,
Good you’re being proactive, but you don’t need to work yourself up too much. While pre-NYSC jobs and internships are good, real job hunt actually starts after NYSC. There is absolutely nothing wrong in not getting somewhere to intern before going for NYSC, but there is no harm in trying. I have seen people whose first ever job was after NYSC and they still went ahead to have successful career. Yet, that doesn’t mean you should not explore pre-NYSC opportunities.
Yes, I started my career in an investment firm before NYSC, and I got it through network. Someone in Corporate Nigeria helped circulate my CV in some companies and I was invited for tests and interviews, both of which I passed, and actually got offers from two companies.
Admittedly, the economy was better then (2006/2007, before the recession of 2009/2010) and there were many companies that were taking interns.
In a country like ours where internship culture is not so developed, internship placements most times come from informal network. Only few companies have structured internship programme.
You just have to keep trying. Draw up your CV, craft a good cover letter, apply to as many companies as possible. Drop the CVs with everyone that you think can be helpful – family, friends, alumni of your school, church/mosque associations, estate association executives, even random professionals on Linkedin. You will hear a lot of stories, but you have to keep trying. You don’t know which will “click”.
This does not by any means mean you should focus only on this. You studied accounting, if you plan to write ICAN, this is the best time to start. Use the intervening months to register and prepare.
If the internship opportunity does not come, no problem. Not everyone will get internship.
Start reading about job tests and interviews. Stay close to blogs like JarusHub here, and other websites like LinkedIn, The Muse, etc where you will learn a lot of things about job stuff and get prepared for the real job hunt, which is post-NYSC.
I wish you all the best.
Jarus
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hi jarus,
my name is frank,i’m currently a 200lev banking and finance student at one of the most prestigious university’s in nigeria.
as at now,my first year GP was 4.85 both first and second semester.i know i can venture into any internship programme in nigeria.
pls i’ve always wanted to intern with the big4(kpmg,pwc,EY,delloite),but i dont know how to go through with it.
by next year after my 200lev second semester exam i’ll like to apply to the aformention program.pls i need your guidance on how to apply,what i needed before i can be screen,if my course of degree(banking and finance)has an edge for their requirement,whether i’ll be writing any aptitude test(if yes,your guidance here will be needed),their others requirement.
please i’ll be needing your response very soon inorder to relieve my anxiety.
thanks.
frank
Your course of study hardly has an edge. I will advise you prioritize your studies now. 4.85 CGPA after year 1 is not shock proof. Focus on consolidating it and insulating it against shocks.
No harm in looking for internship opportunities during long breaks.