Opinion
The National Youth Service Corps (NYSC),
an organization set up by the Nigerian government since 1973 to ensure Nigerian
students give a mandatory one-year service upon graduation, recently issued out
call-up letters to certain individuals who have qualified to join the last
batch for the year. However, while these individuals are much elated to get the
opportunity, seeing as completing the service year entitles one to employment,
a number of them are perturbed as to how to cope with the three weeks “orientation”
period spent in a military-controlled boot “camp” away from family and friends.
Jumia Travel, therefore, suggests 7 ways prospective youth corpers can maximize
their time at the NYSC camp.
Join the
OBS
The Orientation Broadcasting Service
(OBS) is a great way to serve while in the camp. A very important unit of the
camp, it will offer you opportunities to not only develop your editorial and
media skills, you will get to know the key officers in the camp. It also gives
you a measure of authority and allows you to get an exemption from some of the
camp activities which you may be averse to.
Run a
small business
You can actually make money while at the
orientation camp. You can offer services such as hair dressing or laundry to
others in the camp who need them for a fee or you can rent a stall at the Mami
market and sell food items which most corpers need from day to day. It is a
great way to hone your business skills before you are launched into the labour
market.
Do an
online course
The orientation period does not have to
be all activities and socializing, you can further develop yourself on the side
by registering and going through a short online course during your stay. The
good thing about online learning is that it is flexible so you can actually
plan it around the time that you will be leaving the camp.
Socialize
and actually meet new people
The NYSC scheme was originally
established to encourage oneness among citizens in the country and promote
national unity. By sending these individuals to other states, the expectation
is that they mix with people of other tribes, social and family backgrounds and
learn the culture of the indigenes in the place they are posted. Rather than
sticking to yourself all through the orientation process, use your spare time
to actually fraternize and get to know the people in your platoon and camp as a
whole. You would be surprised how many new things you will learn about Nigeria
and what connections you may make for the future.
Start
applying for jobs
The orientation period is not too early
a time to start sending out your CVs to potential employers. The NYSC
orientation can actually serve as an avenue for corpers to share job
information and career resources, so take advantage of that and start early.
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