"The deeds you do may be the only sermon some persons will hear
today." Francis of Assisi
Dear Young Job Seeker,
I have come to observe that the problem of
many young people in our dear country is the lack of volunteering spirit. For
those who do, they lack the discipline to document. They forget that accountability
demands documentation.
You must prepare for what you pray for. I got
my present job in September last year based on the rich experience I have
volunteering with some organizations. Sometimes some people are too modest when
it comes to documenting their non paid volunteer experience because they don't
consider it as work.
Dear friends, once you can work with, or lead
a team to achieve set goals over a period of time, then you have acquired work
experience. Even if you have managed you mum’s petty trade during your holidays
that, my friend is internship biko!
Why?
From start to finish, there is planning,
budgeting, team work, inventory management, facility management, supply chain
management, customer service, supervision, record keeping, reporting, bargaining,
negotiating, communication, presentation, critical analytical skills, business
development etc., and if you can do these when you are not paid, imagine what
you can do if there is monetary incentive!
This is not the usual motivational bla bla
bla that you are used to. This is from someone who gave more of his life to
volunteering thereby learning, relearning and unlearning much of what I use at
work today. It is same with many other young persons I know now.
Sometimes, the skills you need for paid
employment are found in volunteering. Be humble and learn even if you are not
paid. It is never too late to learn, to relearn and to unlearn.
Why would you go to school and not belong to
a club; serve in your church or mosque groups? Why won’t you participate in
student activities that not only promote learning, but also enhances your
personal development while equipping you with other skills that are needed in
today’s workplace? What did you do with
your long vacation?
Whenever I tell people that I got my outspokenness,
communication, presentation, bargaining and marketing skills from hawking for
many years. They prepared me for other volunteer skills I acquired as I grew
up. I learned the art of speaking with elocution by volunteering with my youth
groups in church and since 2002, I have grown in wisdom and learning; my
emotional intelligence level has improved significantly.
I hope this resonates within you. There are
many volunteer and internships within
your reach. Use them to ladder up!
PS
We all have our subtle battles and silent struggles
but when we share a smile, we help others become a part of the army uniting to
fight the battles. No doubt life has a way of changing people but we should
never become strangers to people when we can help.
A smile a day is enough but
if you can give more then by all means do. Having the courage to smile even
when you feel like not smiling is in itself brave and a sign of strength.
I relearned this today!
Ya gazie nu.
OjisiEmezie
