6 things to prioritise during your NYSC Year

6 things to prioritise during your NYSC Year

One year is a long time, yet it can pass by very quickly. Don’t let the one-year compulsory youth service year pass by without adding some value to yourself.

On that note, here are 6 things you should do during your NYSC year:

Prepare your CV and start sending out:

If you don’t have a CV yet, use this time to sit down and draft one. Do your research to see CV writing tips and use them to craft a stellar CV. Keep it to two pages. Once you have your CV, start circulating to family, older friends and to companies via their career pages. Also start completing online job forms and subscribe to new job alerts.

Be present on the internet:

Whether you get posted to a village or city, try not to be cut off information. Being present on the internet is how you know what is going on, what companies are recruiting, and what new opportunities are ripe for the picking.

Register for professional exams:

You have plenty of time on your hands now – well at least for a year. Use the time to find any professional examination/course(s) that is relevant to you, register and actively study and pass them. They will give you better chances during your job search.

Try out job tests:

They say, ‘practice makes perfect’- so practice job tests (if you plan to work for somebody). Get relevant materials GMAT and start getting yourself acquainted with the tests therein. Make sure you time yourself with the sample timing included and aim to get better with each trial. By the time you pass out from NYSC, you should be ready to take job tests from prospective employers.

Learn a skill:

If entrepreneurship is your thing but you don’t have the requisite skills, your service year is the perfect time to acquire the skill you will need. If you learn that skill before you pass out, you could even start making some money with your new skill while still serving.

Network:

Corpers are usually loved and respected in most communities where they serve. Leverage that to meet those that matter in your place of primary assignment or state. Meet new people, brush up your LinkedIn profile and connect with those in the industry you have your eyes on. You never know who could help you get your foot in the right door.

 

 

 

 

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New Year, different you?

New Year, different you?

With the New Year in full swing, what plans do you have to make 2018 better and different from last year? Yes, there are still books to read, the crew to hang with, Valentine’s day to plan for and social media to slay for – but really, are these the only things this year should be about for you?

How about using this year to set plans in motion for the future you dream about? Now don’t roll your eyes, I know you’re still a student but you’ll one-day graduate and you don’t want to be among the growing list of job seekers prowling the job market now, or do you? The steps you take now can be your ticket to never having to be termed “Job hunter” years later.

What steps? Well, check this list out.

Network: Start making connections as early as you can. Email people in fields you’re interested in even if it’s just to say, “I read your book, or I admire your work”, join professional organizations and attend conferences.

 

Use your breaks wisely: This year, try to use your breaks more productively. You can:

  • Get an internship
  • Start a small business on the side (If you’re business-minded)
  • Take courses to boost skills you’re not taught in school
  • Read widely and wisely
  • Travel – to learn how to adjust to strange and unusual circumstances

 

Gain knowledge: Don’t wait until you graduate to know what you want to do career-wise. Don’t wait till you are called for an interview to learn how to respond to questions. Don’t wait until you must choose your Pension Fund Administrators to make a choice. Research now to know what you need to make informed decisions when the time comes.

 

Create your online persona: In this day and age, one of the worst ways students can damage their future careers is by sharing the wrong kind of information online. Assume that everything you post online will be available to prospective employers, clients, or investors – no kidding, these people actually go to the internet to research potential employees or partners. Build a public-ready profile and under your own name too (not nick-names).

 

Be attentive: Consider every stage an extension of your education. Listen more than you talk, and learn as much as you can from the ‘old hands’ and from critics too.

 

It’s a new year! The year that you enjoy life on campus but also prepare for life in the real-world.

 

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ECONOMIC UPDATE: Africa Economy back from the Brink

ECONOMIC UPDATE: Africa Economy back from the Brink

Given recently released data and estimates, Africa’s economy is back from the brink and on course for a modest recovery in 2017 as higher global commodity prices supported growth in Sub-Saharan Africa (SSA) while fiscal consolidation was responsible for the modest growth seen in the North. Specifically, after increasing at its slowest pace in 2 decades in 2016 (+1.4% YoY), IMF estimates SSA growth at 2.6% YoY following strong rebound in Nigeria, South Africa (SA) and Angola.

Whilst higher crude production and prices propelled oil sector growth in the two largest oil exporting nations in Africa, the impact of receding drought drove improved performance of the agricultural sector which in turn supported growth in SA. Elsewhere, fiscal consolidations and reforms appears to be yielding fruit in North Africa with sharp recoveries seen in Egypt and Morocco as cut down in energy subsidies and a reduced public wage bill supported foreign investment in the former.

SSA growth rides on commodity prices

The central theme across SSA was the rebound from the trough of 2016 on the back of higher commodity prices and production, favourable external conditions, as well as robust agriculture output. Major economies of Nigeria and SA, pulled out of recession even as Angola and Ghana sustained growth. The positive picture in the countries neutered slower growth across East Africa underpinned by politics-induced pullback as well as drought.

For context, Nigeria’s economy reverted to growth for the second consecutive quarter in Q3 2017 (+1.4% YoY, Q2: +0.7% YoY) largely hinged on recovery in crude oil production, resilience in the agriculture sector as well as improved external balance. Elsewhere, despite political uncertainty and fiscal challenges in SA prompting credit downgrade to junk status, SA’s economy showed fortitude, expanding by 0.8% YoY in Q3 17. The growth was supported by recovery in the agricultural sector (+19.6% YoY)—a fall-out of receding drought in the region. Furthermore, expansion in mining and quarrying sector (+3.2% YoY ) further supported growth.

Elsewhere, the combined impact of higher crude oil prices and production supported growth in Angola and Ghana even as receding political tensions in the former, following the election of the new president in the period, supported the growth picture. Accordingly, growth in Angola and Ghana printed at 1.3% and 9.3% YoY accordingly. On the downside, the impact of prolonged political crisis and adverse weather conditions on investment, external indicators and agriculture sector slowed down growth in Kenya. For context, Q3 2017 GDP growth of 4.4% YoY— slowest expansion in sixteen quarters— reflected sharp moderation in key sectors – Finance and Insurance, Manufacturing, Construction, and Agriculture.

View full report here

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