NUGGET
Successful people don’t spend time answering opposition and critics. They are just too busy succeeding and creating the next success story
More things you should be doing as an undergraduate
- Diversifying from your major a bit: Imagine a
scenario where you don’t get what you really want but you can/are
willing to be engaged in several other profitable and legitimate
endeavours; in fact, I advise aside your regular 8-5, if you intend
going that path(like me), have a side business/venture and at least one non-taxable (or very low rate) income source.
I intend becoming a process engineer for instance but have been
preparing for other career paths or at least prepare myself to take up
other roles. Procurement, logistics and supply chain management,
lecturing, civil service (only
in certain departments) etc have their respective points in my list of
priority (this list I advise should be drafted after considering my next
point). Albeit, If I decide to leave the engineering discipline
entirely. Within the discipline, I still have priority based on
assumptions I made from investigations and happenings. All these are
based on my current orientation which are subject to the constant law in
life, change! FMCGs, oil exploration and production, gas processing,
consulting, oil servicing et al, they all have their place based on
several factors (not discussed now). Independent research and gathering
as much knowledge as possible is strongly preached. The side business
could be anything that fetches revenue based on your ‘person.’
Non-taxable (or with less rate) income sources in our society are
numerous. Paid personal career advices and services, speaking
engagements, a distinguished Compere/Master of Ceremonies(MC),
professional dancing/singing, modelling, events planning, tutorial centres/services, professional or free lance writing etc. The list is endless. Just plan in that regard, basically.
- Study and try and understand how life works: I
like telling people that critical in this life is understanding yourself
very well and the way the world works. That simple understanding will
save you a whole lot of stress. Lots of things are decisive; good
information, networking, seizing opportunities, being a master in your
field, climbing the corporate ladder, politicking and politics, bribery,
corruption, importance of common sense, knowing when to draw the line
in all your dealings, relationships and affairs, sex, family, money,
responsibilities, fate, virtues, how everything now depends on speed
etc. The list is endless but I’m certain you can relate.
- Have fun: It used to be a cliché that “I love
you” was the most deceitful teenage word which even extended to
everyone. Now its UOLO (U only live once). Many now take it to mean
several things. I recommend having fun, within your own limits. When you
start that life, you’d be saddled with many engagements, so have
that fun and don’t lose your youthfulness. Eat, try other things,
party, meet lots of new people, dance and sing, play well. [While I agree that one should be Social, I don’t buy this point fully. If you play or party too much, you may lose focus. You can be Social without being a party-rocker]
- Learn and try different things: I voluntarily
interned with drycleaners, one week each just because I wanted to learn
about fabrics tendering, how to starch and iron properly etc. I had
always wanted to learn the organ, so when I am less busy, I look and pay
for who can teach me. I feel I
have a lot of energy and time, so I make use of it. Positively. You can
sing, go to a studio, record it and just share it for free, I still
write lots of stories and articles, convert to ebooks and give out, some I try to publish
on various media. There are tons of things to do. You can learn a
language, there’s catering, fashion, dance, blogging etc, all for fun.
You’d be happy when people appreciate your work.There’s GRE and GMAT, you can start preparing ahead, professional exams too. Learn freely, without compulsion. Organise a programme for younger ones in your department. I still advise 100 level students on importance of applying for scholarships, debates and writing competitions, competitions and great programmes
generally. Aside the money, if you win, those tests help you stay in
shape, would be helpful during job-hunt. The vocabularies you are
exposed to while writing, constantly thinking and creating cannot be
overemphasized. Several activities are there. Focus on indirect learning
as well.
No comments:
Post a Comment