I shared my experience after NYSC and how I eventually became an education consultant and a computer specialist after about 5 wasted years after the clarion call. I don't want you or anybody else to make the same mistakes.
Experience has equipped me with what I ought to have gone for immediately after NYSC. At the same time, it has exposed me to a series of business ideas and profitable projects any graduate can consider while still being able to nurse job search and if possible, pursue postgraduate studies.
Below is the list of six businesses you can turn to as soon as you're done with NYSC.
Blogging is a form of freelance service or internet/information marketing. With blogging, you start online writing and publication of resourceful articles (like this you're reading). You teach people about things, guide them on some courses, and update them about ongoing activities/events around you or them. The list is endless. That's why you can't run out of choices.
It's easy to believe that, this is not for you, especially if you're not good at writing or typing. To be sincere, learn it! There are free courses available online to teach you how to write or blog like a pro.
Below is the list of six businesses you can turn to as soon as you're done with NYSC.
1. Go for Blogging – Content Creation
This is not new in Nigeria. Most graduates have heard about blogging while in university. Some had even taken steps to start one while on campus. People got frustrated to pursue this dream when it got tough to keep going. And that's the difference between those who make it at blogging and those who lose out.Blogging is a form of freelance service or internet/information marketing. With blogging, you start online writing and publication of resourceful articles (like this you're reading). You teach people about things, guide them on some courses, and update them about ongoing activities/events around you or them. The list is endless. That's why you can't run out of choices.
It's easy to believe that, this is not for you, especially if you're not good at writing or typing. To be sincere, learn it! There are free courses available online to teach you how to write or blog like a pro.
People search for anything online - anything at all. It's your job to feed them with the information and turn that into money.
I had a friend who told me someone couldn't feed a family with that. He might be right if he was a quitter. And remember, quitters never win. But if you're like the top ten bloggers in Nigeria, you can be the next number 11 or 12.
I had a friend who told me someone couldn't feed a family with that. He might be right if he was a quitter. And remember, quitters never win. But if you're like the top ten bloggers in Nigeria, you can be the next number 11 or 12.
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In fact, within a couple of weeks, I ran out of information to share. Then, I started copying and pasting some uncommon business news elsewhere to my blog for a few readers I had.
My Experience with Blogging
When I was done with NYSC in 2007, I returned home to hear about blogging as a means to make cool, continual, and passive income online. I was quick to try my luck. Creating a blog is free on the Google platform and it costs me nothing more than getting connected to the internet.In fact, within a couple of weeks, I ran out of information to share. Then, I started copying and pasting some uncommon business news elsewhere to my blog for a few readers I had.
Please, note that you can't copy and paste to succeed in blogging. Don’t do that.
In no time, I quit and that was the end of my dream to make money blogging.
Then, I started looking for jobs that I got and changed three times. One day at Lahaola Computers (my last place of work), I received a mail. When I opened the envelope, guess what? It was a cheque for $100 from Google.
Let me take you back a bit.
Then, I started looking for jobs that I got and changed three times. One day at Lahaola Computers (my last place of work), I received a mail. When I opened the envelope, guess what? It was a cheque for $100 from Google.
Let me take you back a bit.
I had signed up for Google AdSense earlier in my time of blogging. My application was approved, and at that time, we didn’t receive our earnings through banks, it was through cheques.
Finally, I got my first $100 after quitting blogging for more than 3 years.
Do you see that?
How I wished I didn't quit then. I did nothing more than a few posts - in fact not more than 15 posts in all and I earned 100 dollars.
Needless to say, I will never quit this work again for the rest of my days on earth.
This is the power of blogging. You work hard for a few months and you keep getting alerts. I knew of people who created blogs and posted about 100 unique pieces, then move on to create another.
Needless to say, I will never quit this work again for the rest of my days on earth.
This is the power of blogging. You work hard for a few months and you keep getting alerts. I knew of people who created blogs and posted about 100 unique pieces, then move on to create another.
By now, many are controlling a dozen blogs, each paying a thousand dollars in AdSense income, direct adverts, and affiliate earnings. A few you might have come across include the Nairaland (started 2005), Legit.ng (formerly Naij.com), etc.
I've personally started a blog to guide you on your way up if you will consider blogging as the next thing. My post, "Before You Start Blogging: 5 Things First" can be the right place to start.
I've personally started a blog to guide you on your way up if you will consider blogging as the next thing. My post, "Before You Start Blogging: 5 Things First" can be the right place to start.
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Starting out to be self-employed means starting a profession, venture, or business you, or with a few people, can manage. In fact, being able to handle things on your own from the start is, in my opinion, the difference between self-employment and entrepreneurship.
You've been trained in schools to be fit for this if you look in-depth. As an accountant, you can add computer knowledge, especially programming. With this, your firm can design and market accounting software that schools, churches, businesses, etc. will pay for.
As a graduate of Business Administration, you can start out with business consulting - giving support in the form of one-on-one coaching, seminars, workshops, etc. to people who want to run their businesses professionally and profitably.
2. Self Employment - Usually Service-Based Businesses
I would have used the word "entrepreneurship" instead but I understand what it means to be an entrepreneur. Capital is one, and the flow of ideas is another. Where is that capital? And with your brain coming out of two exams, a series of tests, and assignments per session, the space for ideas in your head is still shallow.Starting out to be self-employed means starting a profession, venture, or business you, or with a few people, can manage. In fact, being able to handle things on your own from the start is, in my opinion, the difference between self-employment and entrepreneurship.
You've been trained in schools to be fit for this if you look in-depth. As an accountant, you can add computer knowledge, especially programming. With this, your firm can design and market accounting software that schools, churches, businesses, etc. will pay for.
As a graduate of Business Administration, you can start out with business consulting - giving support in the form of one-on-one coaching, seminars, workshops, etc. to people who want to run their businesses professionally and profitably.
As a marketing graduate, your services are needed by any firm out there.
The list is endless.
But there is a problem, of course. People complain about capital to start their own businesses. This is where Nigerian graduates have more problems to start with.
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See, a million people are making it on their own starting with just their well-founded idea. A friend will say if you don't have money, use time. If you don't have time, spend energy. Don't tell me you lack all!
Before I got my first job, I returned from the service to start teaching people the basics of computers. And in fact, with no physical shop or office. Here is how I did that.
See, a million people are making it on their own starting with just their well-founded idea. A friend will say if you don't have money, use time. If you don't have time, spend energy. Don't tell me you lack all!
Before I got my first job, I returned from the service to start teaching people the basics of computers. And in fact, with no physical shop or office. Here is how I did that.
I spent a few bucks making posters and designing forms. My students were taken to a nearby school for theoretical classes. This was what we did for five days a week and on Saturday, I took them to a public internet café in my town where I bought a session of about 3 hours to show them what we have been learning over the week.
Do you get an idea of how things work? You won't have everything to start - not all the experiences, time, money, support, etc.
A friend started small electronics products merchandising business a year after NYSC. He would go to a market in Ibadan, get some household, and commonly used electronics for offices. He had employed a few secondary school leavers around him. He consigned for them to sell at nearby shops, sawmills, schools, offices, and towns. These guys got commissions for their sales. He never rented an additional apartment other than his room and parlor until recently he moved to an office at a popular junction in his town.
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You can rent an apartment to start with. Public schools around may allow you to use a few classes on application. Starting this shouldn’t be capital intensive. All you need is time and effort. You need to look for competent teachers. These people can be a few graduates who are yet to know what to do after service too. I know this because I did the same for a coaching center after NYSC as well.
If you know what this can bring or where it can take you in life, you may prefer this over other available options. Names of the most popular JAMB/WAEC tutorial centers in Ife, Ibadan, Lagos, etc still ring a bell. Even though I’ve not been there, I've seen their products and regularly hear about them.
3. JAMB/SSCE Coaching Centre
This is hot in town. Even though people are coming out of school with a few having things to show for it. Yet, thousands of incoming generations are striving to enter any higher institution possible. This trend will continue forever. Then, why not take advantage of this?
You can rent an apartment to start with. Public schools around may allow you to use a few classes on application. Starting this shouldn’t be capital intensive. All you need is time and effort. You need to look for competent teachers. These people can be a few graduates who are yet to know what to do after service too. I know this because I did the same for a coaching center after NYSC as well.
If you know what this can bring or where it can take you in life, you may prefer this over other available options. Names of the most popular JAMB/WAEC tutorial centers in Ife, Ibadan, Lagos, etc still ring a bell. Even though I’ve not been there, I've seen their products and regularly hear about them.
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The silliest mistake several graduates make is believing they shouldn't go for vocational training after spending all the years in classrooms. Don't be like that. You may be right but in the long run, you're wrong.
Lateefah learned tailoring during her service year. As soon as she got home, she was not only searching for jobs but started her own shop. The last time I spoke to her, she couldn't remember the last time she dropped her CV for any company. TeefahCoutures is the hottest fashion design shop in town. I'm not into fashion but I can't hide recognizing the beauty of her crafts and designs.
You see. That's like my own story too with a few differences. Before you know it, you will be surprised if you find out that a graduate tailor has just bought a car and got a 4-bedroom flat.
Corper Donald learned computer at Techie Konsult, and that's just for 6 months. While he was leaving, he said something I wouldn’t forget, "Boss, you'd just given me something to eat". I was happy to know that he was convinced that the knowledge he got here could help him faster, if not better than the one acquired for the past 18 years of schooling.
Donald is, as well, into computer services and education consulting in Lagos, right now.
4. Learn and Start a Vocation
NYSC itself is doing its best to encourage the corps to take advantage of several youth empowerment programmes being brought to camps and conducted during the service year. I hope you’ve taken advantage of any. And if you haven’t, that's not a problem, of course. You're still in shape to do that right now.The silliest mistake several graduates make is believing they shouldn't go for vocational training after spending all the years in classrooms. Don't be like that. You may be right but in the long run, you're wrong.
Lateefah learned tailoring during her service year. As soon as she got home, she was not only searching for jobs but started her own shop. The last time I spoke to her, she couldn't remember the last time she dropped her CV for any company. TeefahCoutures is the hottest fashion design shop in town. I'm not into fashion but I can't hide recognizing the beauty of her crafts and designs.
You see. That's like my own story too with a few differences. Before you know it, you will be surprised if you find out that a graduate tailor has just bought a car and got a 4-bedroom flat.
Corper Donald learned computer at Techie Konsult, and that's just for 6 months. While he was leaving, he said something I wouldn’t forget, "Boss, you'd just given me something to eat". I was happy to know that he was convinced that the knowledge he got here could help him faster, if not better than the one acquired for the past 18 years of schooling.
Donald is, as well, into computer services and education consulting in Lagos, right now.
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5. Environmental Maintenance Services
In my post, "Businesses You Can Start Without Money (0 Capital)", I told the story of Yinka.
He was equally a graduate who remained jobless for a few years before we met. His story changed for the better when we shared a few business ideas and one stuck.
That which stuck for him was home and business environmental management.
The concept of this service is to help houses and offices take care of spraying and fumigating their surroundings.
People and offices can't cut grass as it was in the twenty century. They spray but it cost time and money. Some are too old to handle the spraying themselves and they don't have children around to assist.
Why not take charge of them?
All take you is to get an office, if you don't want to start from home. And if office, you can engage a secondary school leaver as a secretary, if you don't want to be taking orders yourself. Get one or two to help out on a part-time basis.
When you have ordered, these part-time boys will go and get the work done. You pay them the commission and pocket the rest.
Imagine spraying 150 or more houses two times in a month for #5000 each.
With this, you can add wells treatment, toilet treatment, and termite fumigation to your service. Those will keep your business going in the dry seasons.
And if you're thinking you may need to go to school to be certified for that or get certain government licenses to be recognized, you're missing it. Go online, and read as much as you can about this. Youtube has a million videos on several topics that may be bothering you.
And if you hear of seminars and workshops about this, attend them.
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6. Native Dresses and Materials Sowing Business
In this niche, you don't have to learn to tailor except if you really want to. You don't have to have a shop, though it will be good to have one.
Of course, you have hundreds of boutiques around you. Why would you join that? Competition is everywhere!
What if I give a new niche in the fashion industry? You don't have to sell foreign clothes, shoes, etc like Franco, Senior Closeth, etc. Let's take a new niche.
I've noticed very recently that guys and ladies are buying materials and giving them to the best tailors out there. Fashion is in the wake!
That's why people are turning to native dresses if well sown.
All you need is to get good clothing materials, give them the best tailors you can find, and let the work be done.
You can sell your work online or on platforms such as Jiji and many others.
Take some shots, upload them to your page, and post.
Then, wait for calls. You can add this to your Facebook and Instagram timelines to let your friends and family follow you.
An average material plus sowing could cost you about #8000. You can sell one for twice its cost.
The secret behind the success of this business among others is it doesn't require much to start, you may not even sow the materials on until someone has paid for it having seen the picture uploaded. Take it to your tailor and get it done within a reasonable period.
You can sell beyond your community. You can easily sell to groups. You may not spend a dim on shop, staffing, adverts, etc.
Conclusion
Even though we can’t all be self-reliant after NYSC, it will be good to find out earlier if this is the right take for us.Some of us will end up at banks, some in companies, some in government offices, yet, a few will be watched making things happen. Can you be one of those who are making things happen?
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