GOT A GAME PLAN?

The ultimate question is this, what next? For most of us, we have a lot of questions to answer such as; do I stay back in this state or go back to my base? How sure am I to find work back home? Now that I am not entitled to accommodation, how do I pay for it? My parents have told me I’m an adult and I should take care of myself, can I cope with these meager salaries? Who do I live with and can I live alone? Is it safe? When do I get married and is my soul mate here? Endless questions flood our minds as we near the date when we are told to officially 'pass out' of the NYSC programme. The truth is this, to get a good head start at our after-NYSC life, we must answer these questions.

Staying back is a big decision and is dependent on so many factors. One, the work environment. Is the pay adequate to take care of all the bills, including welfare and occasional replenishing of wardrobes? Are the people in the office friendly and willing to help you acclimatize to recent changes both in your office duties and your status as a citizen? Is the area safe? Can you afford accommodation for yourself now that you are no longer a corper? These questions must be answered and you must answer them without sentiment because when it comes to work and money, emotions are never involved.

A life partner has become one of life's hidden treasures and for most of us, we are impatient to find it. Everyone just wants a map pointing to a direction shouting, 'there it is!' Unfortunately, when it comes to issues of the heart, patience is required. Some of us found our life partners during the NYSC programme. Most of who did had our weddings during the NYSC programme since the scheme provided financial assistance to ease the stress of the two lovebirds involved. Now there will be no financial assistance; just you, your pay from work and your guts to face the world. Would it be easy? Not in the least. However, for those of us who are Christians, it is advisable that we leave such matters to God and allow Him to direct our footsteps. The eye can be deceived, but the spirit of God in you, cannot. Do not make finding a soul mate a reason for staying back. Some of us have this notion, of men or women in a particular area being more marriageable than others. Even if this is true, if both of you are to be together, the Lord will bring it to pass in His time. Of all issues to take into your hands, marriage is definitely not one of them.

The issue of safety, cost of living and availability of jobs is also an important factor for those considering staying back in a state? If unsafe, can you cope with the amount of hostility, where there is a high cost of living will you be able to make up for it and in the first place, are there jobs available back here? Remember, that while answering these questions, you must be objective and where there is a question mark as regards safety, you should project into the future to see if things would be for the better. However, for the sake of simplicity, let us all look at these factors in terms of the present. Do they favor you now?

For those of us who do not want work for anyone but already have a business we’d like to tow into, bravo to you. However you also have some questions answer. Have you conducted a feasibility study and if so, does it favor your proposed business idea? In the event of failure of the business, where does money to pay off debts come from? Will your target audience be satisfied with this new product? What about sustainability and cost of embarking on a business venture of that sort? All these will be answered in your business plan, and you MUST possess one.

What about those who are leaving and going back to their base states. It would be much easier to take in if there were jobs waiting for such category of people. If you are one of them, then you had better start building your network base and singing your name in the ears of those who do or do not want to hear, as the fact is, you've been absent from the scene for nearly one year. You are now your own advertiser.

Living apart from parent's donations to our welfare package can be quite disturbing. Some of us have lived on our parents our whole lives, the rest of us have parents that have been reducing their quotas as a way of hinting us that we are near the adult stage of life and others, have gotten an early start in living on the labor of their own hands. For the first set of people, this would be the hardest, as they most times lack self-discipline and budgeting skills. As you switch over from corper to adult, you must imbibe the habits of regulating your spending and planning your costs. If not, you would wind up stranded, starving and savaged. In other words, you'll be a total wreck.

After-NYSC, what next? It’s a big question but it is advisable that it should be answered at least two weeks to the passing out day. So to those of who have passed out or are looking to exit the NYSC scheme, I ask; got a game plan?

CHINONSO DANIELLA EDEH

BY/11B/0665