This week's blog choice is the article in our Choices Column 'Demola's Dilemma'. It was based on an email from a young man who wrote to us about the crossroads he is currently facing. If you missed YED on Tuesday, then you can catch up by reading his story below.
Whenever I was asked what I
wanted to 'become' when I was in secondary school, I bet I would have said an
Accountant without blinking. That was my dream profession until SS1 when I
found out that my accounts never seemed to balance. It was then that I began
try to figure out the real reason I wanted to be an accountant. “How can I get
angry solving questions in my dream career?” That was one of the questions I
posed to myself. I asked accountant friends and uncles what they do daily, in
order to get an idea of what it is like to be an accountant. I came to the
conclusion that if I carry on with this ambition, I might regret my choice of
career. The feedback I received led me to the sad conclusion – Accounting is
not for me. This revelation prevented me from studying accounting at the University-
a feat which would have been impossible if my father were to be alive and if I
did not end up having a D7 in Financial Accounting in my O'Levels. Accounting
was his dream for me, he was so convinced about it that he had a heated
discussion with Mr Adesaunya, my Secondary School principal. He insisted that I
should be an accountant against the Principal's advice that I should go to Art
class preparing for a career perhaps in Law or Mass Communication. Dad
prevailed of course and I was transferred to Commercial class. Sadly, he passed
away just as I was finishing my Secondary School.
These things happened years ago
and now I am a few days away from being a graduate of a prestigious Nigerian University
and I am still searching for my dream career. Dad was right about Accounting,
it is a promising career but it is not for me. I live in Lagos where everyone
seems to slave away every day, getting home late at night. I do not want to be
held in traffic for long hours coming from a job I do not love. Even though
this may be wishful thinking, I don’t think this type of thinking is limited to
me. Most of the soon-to-be graduates I have interacted with are thinking the
same way. They say “I want to work in a bank or any other big institution, work
hard for about 10 years and earn big and afterwards move on to my real
ambition. For every day I spent not liking a Job, I will console myself with
the thought that someday I will be leaving.”
If I were to choose a career that
I would love, it would involve Creative Writing and Teaching, but then teaching
is not as rewarding as banking. I would spend years in teaching in a Secondary
School before I can earn the same as an entry-level staff in a bank. Can I
truly consider that? Should I add writing textbooks to boost my earning
capacity? On a visit to the school counselor she suggested a career in training
and facilitating as opposed to teaching business studies in secondary schools.
My mentor and friends suggest pursuing a career in writing. However, I still
want to earn high for some years then log out to a better plan or more
lucrative career.
Post a comment below to tell us what you think about Demola's situation, or what you think he should do.
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Neat, dis is .D̶̲̥̅̊ question on a freash graduate's mind. So what is .D̶̲̥̅̊ answer.
ReplyDeleteWith d situation in our country, a graduate can't even say dis ȋ̝̊̅ڪ wat he or she wants to do in life.will advise u 2 do wat will make u hapi and will make u earn enough 4 a living.take any oppourtunity dat comes ur way and use it wisely.
ReplyDeleteHe was lucky he had somebody who counseled him on career choice even though his father was †̥☺ insist on another. For most people they didn't get that opportunity, I didn't get it, I just went with †ђξ flow thinking †ђξ coolest guys are in †ђξ sciences. My parents did have any say in it.
ReplyDeleteIt all boils down to the school system who doesn't give the student enough avenues to show case their talent in exhibition and projects coordinated by teachers and the school. I'll keep on saying this, examination ȋ̝̊̅§ not the true test and shouldn't be the only test of a student's ability. I blame †ђξ educational structure, the parents and the students. Another question is why it that most graduates don't seek or get employment in their field or study? What's the essence of wasting 4-6yrs in school studying a course Ɣ☺ΰ never intended to use? ♓☺Ϟ•̸ can I get a copy of †ђξ magazine?
Hello,
DeleteYoung Executive Diary is Free. Available every Tuesday in your copy of BusinessDay Newspaper. Thank you for writing
This was sent to yed@poisenigeria.org by a reader. What do you think?
ReplyDelete..........................................
I have a few advice for Ademola. He should follow his passion and focus on honing his skills,developing his talents and aiming for the sky. The sky is just the beginning!
In addition, seek to develop entrepreneurial skills that would ultimately enable you to realize and achieve your dreams. Think outside the "employee box"! Be prayerful and persistent and GOD will bless you in the end.
Regards
Mrs Edith Onyema,
This is another comment sent to yed@poisenigeria.org Thank you for all the advice
ReplyDeleteHello Demo la. I read your story in Business day newspaper dated 25th September, 2012.
Unfortunately, a lot of youths are facing this same challenge that you are facing presently. Our schools lack qualified counsellors to counsel us on the right part to take. Our society does not help also because some professions are looked down upon.
However, I want to let you know that you are lucky to know at this early stage that Accounting Profession is not your line. I am facing same challenge now after working for over 10 years. I have worked as an Accountant and then as an Internal Audit and came to a conclusion that I am not both after many years. My dilemma now is how to make correction at this stage of my mid career. How do I start to pursue what I am really cut out to do?
But guess what? I am willing and ready to make a U-turn. I will turn 38 year tomorrow but I believe that I am not too old to make correction. I will soon be going back to school so as to take some courses that relates to my realised career path. I am will to give it a try. I know it will be risky but I would rather fail trying than fail not trying.
So Demola, decide what best describes you and follow your dream. Don't wait till several year before you make that decision. Now is the time.
I wish you success.
Enitan
After reading your article, I feel inspired and wonder why I am not the one who should have this gift you posses. It's a gift you must value: Writing skills. Please do everything to develop yourself, never dispise the days of little beginning. You have started already, take this write-up as the first and look forward for a bright and rewarding future.
ReplyDeletePRINCE MAJEK.