I know you are almost rounding up the National Youth Service to your beloved country and you are probably joyful or happy, panicking or worried. It’s nearly your passing out parade (POP) day and of course there would be no more NYSC monthly allowance, but could it be that you are actually worried because you don’t want to go back home doing nothing? By now, you were supposed to be that career, entrepreneur, or business super person you have always envisioned yourself to be, but things got a little side-tracked, we understand! That’s why we are here digging out 7 interesting things you can do at least two months before your POP.

1. Update Your CV/Resume And Create A Cover Letter

It’s advisable you update your CV/Resume every three to six months to add new skills and experiences gained. But why bother with a CV/Resume update some of you may ask? Because you never can tell when the next job opportunity comes knocking and you don’t want to go about wasting time trying to dust off your CV when you were supposed to be submitting applications right in time.

You should also try to prepare a good Cover Letter and keep them handy in your mail box or flash drive (A Cover Letter is a document sent with your resume to provide additional information on your skills and experience, the letter typically provides detailed information on why you are qualified for the job you are applying for) as some organizations require it to be attached with your CV while applying for certain positions.

Are you finding it so hard to come up with a perfect resume template, then visit My Perfect Resume a perfect Resume builder site that takes the hassle out of resume writing. With their variety of beautiful and professional resume templates, they will help you create the perfect job-worthy resume effortlessly!

2. Sign Up With Job Boards

Need to find your dream career, Careers24 and MyJobMag is the best place to be. A site that gives you an online platform to fill in your professional details; skills, employment experience, education, qualifications, CV and any other attachment that can make employers easily find you on your profile is worth signing up for. Believe me guys, Careers24 is lit! And the best part of it is that, it recommends jobs for you based on your career path and once you show interest, it goes ahead applying for the job on your behalf. It also enables employers get in touch with you in a non stressful and professional manner.

3. Learn How To Use Microsoft Excel

60% of graduates don’t know how to use Microsoft office tools especially Microsoft Excel and it’s so sad for employers because they may not have the time to start putting you through on what and what not to do while using a computer especially in an office environment. You can’t even be in the office these days without being in the know about all things Excel! Sometimes it’s funny that we come from a generation who know their way around computers and social networks but don’t know how to work a spreadsheet. Three month is too much, if you are really serious on learning it. What have you been doing with your free time? Why not surprise your employers, colleagues, friends and bosses with learning a new Microsoft office tool or skill and in the process, make your life easier. To learn online visit >>>Analyzing and Visualizing Data with Excel.

4. Study Online

Technology has really made learning easy for us all and If you do follow my blog, I always advise you guys to make good use of technology everyday instead of the other way round. So there are a lot of online platforms that offers free education and resource materials for learning. I will do a blog post soon about those free online courses that can be very helpful and resourceful in order to open your prospects and develop new skills but for now, I had suggest these helpful sites:

Free Learning From The Open University

Udemy Online Courses

Future Learn Free Online Courses

Global Health Learning Center

Open2Study Free Courses

5. Plan Your Life

It is often said that if you don’t know where you are going, any road will take you there. You need to set your life in order if you haven’t done that, you need to plan your life strategically and seriously. I love telling people how I used the period of my service year to work a lot on myself so it can inspire them to do more. I perfected my cooking skills during my service year, I learned digital photography with practical experiences, I developed new skills good on a Resume like; Organization Development, People Management Skills, Strong Work Ethic, Problem Solving Skills, High numeric ability and attention to details, Time Management, Adaptability, Content Development, Digital Storytelling, Strategic Planning, and Good Communication Skills.

I read books upon books, I also got to set realistic and attainable goals; I planned out what I want to be doing after my service year, I researched universities in the UK suitable for my Masters degree program, I figured out what professional body I had love to gain membership from. I also penned down what year I would love to make my first million (you should do this too and make moves towards it), what year I would get married, what part of the country I would love to reside in, what line of business I am getting into, etc. I know some of you may say, things may not always go out as planned and while that can be true, I love to live an intentional life and I believe having a blue print for your life can really guide every other thing that happens in and around you.

6. Volunteer and Network with Visionary Minds

NYSC has a great amount of time to build yourself up and meet with lots of amazing and wonderful people. You meet the good, the bad and the ugly but most importantly you can meet just one person and your life is forever changed. I would advise you surround yourself with people along same career path, people doing things in line with your purpose or people who genuinely loves and supports you. No time to waste time dear! Life is short and I encourage you to make absolute good use of it, volunteer with a responsible company, organization or fellowship group if the opportunities comes and if it doesn’t come, sometimes you just have to get out of your comfort zone and take big risks. But make sure the people you associate yourself with are visionary people that seeks to help, better or inspire you. Work hard! Do good! Touch lives! Make impact!

7. Pray! Pray! Pray!

The last thing you would want to do is to enter a new season of your life with a casual or nonchalant approach without even seeking any form of divine touch or guidance. Life is unpredictable and yes life can be pretty tough at times but by God’s grace and mercy you can overcome whatever it throws at you. This is a time to pray more than ever before, pray to God about your decisions, pray for guidance, direction, and most importantly for His favor and also do the right thing. You will reap the benefits sooner or later and get to thank me later.

P.S – This post is specially dedicated to all NYSC 2017, Batch A Stream II Corp members. Know that; “It is never too late to be what you can ever been.”