There’s unemployment in every economy in the world. It is a terrifying reality. Young people are as affected as the elderly, and no nation has been able to achieve full employment, despite the phenomenal expansion of the global economy and the prosperity of nations. It is a shame that the world is in this mess, and we don’t seem to know the way out.
For me, as a motivator of youth and other valuable demographics, I am particularly burdened to see able-bodied folks idle away in frustration. Some take to crime, and many ladies become prostitutes just to survive. What can be done? I hit on the idea that if there is no one to employ you for a pay, you can as well do a job you are passionate about for free. Notice the key word here: Passionate. If you have a passion for something, if you do it for free, you would derive some satisfaction from it, even without any form of compensation. Before you scream, wait for a moment. I am taking you somewhere.
Voluntary service is one way to beat unemployment. You can volunteer to serve your church, community, non-governmental organisation, a charity, etc. It is better than sitting at home or roaming the job market doing nothing. Voluntary service may not attract a wage immediately, but it has many direct benefits to the volunteer in the long run. Most employers want workers with job experience. How can you get that if you are a graduate with no work experience? You can meet this vital requirement if you offer yourself for voluntary service in an organisation.
You can eliminate this lacuna of inexperience if you serve as a volunteer somewhere for a reasonable length of time. For instance, if you graduate as a medical doctor, you definitely need some experience to get a good, well-paying job. If you have served gratis in a community health facility for a reasonable length of time, you must have gained enough experience to qualify you for a paying job. In effect, the free service you sowed as a volunteer will be rewarded with a good job. You have fulfilled the law of sowing and reaping. You sow free service, you reap a paid job.
Therefore, voluntary service is, in fact, a smart way to prepare yourself for a paying job in that, while doing it, you gain valuable job experience that is a prerequisite for paid employment; you also invariably serve humanity and qualify for a harvest. This harvest may come in form of a good, paying job or divine blessings in other ways.
Moreover, while working as a volunteer, you gain exposure to valuable contacts that may be very useful to you in diverse ways in the future. Some of these contacts may be potential business partners, employers, customers, or high network friends who can invest in you. You may meet your spouse on such voluntary assignments. Staying home doing nothing gives you no dividend. You only become frustrated. It pays to keep yourself busy so that you do not forget what you learned in the university. You also find that you learn on the job. Senior colleagues can teach you some tricks of your trade, which would enrich your C.V. This is very important.
Many organisations always give honorarium to volunteers who work for them. So, there is really no free service as such. Those who don’t get a pay in voluntary endeavours often get some form of honorarium. And when they leave such service, volunteers get good recommendations from their bosses, which is a vital testimonial for future employment.
Moreover, there is joy in service, especially if it comes from your heart. You could worm yourself into the hearts of your bosses in the outfit you serve because of your invaluable contributions. On account of this, you may be given permanent paid employment. I have seen this happen many times.
Sometimes an unemployed chap gets an opening for a low-paying job. I advice that you take it up just to get going. You hardly start life with a high-paying job. It is very rare to get the type of job you are looking for at the beginning.
The way to start is to start at whatever level you can find. Just start doing something until you get to a level of comfort where you can decide to choose what you really want. At the moment, if you have no job, remember to do whatever your hand finds to do. Your natural inclination would determine which organisation to serve. The important thing is conviction and love of the job.
As a youth, you can also start your own NGO in an area you feel strongly about. You can use such an organisation to serve humanity and expect others to support you. That way, you engage yourself in a productive venture even if you are not being paid.
Some charities render unique services to humanity. Working for them can prepare you for a life of charity or philanthropy after you have become successful in life. I recommend voluntary service as an alternative to a life of joblessness. In any case, half bread is better than none. A job without pay or a job with half pay is a better alternative to no job at all.
Weekend Spice: The people who bounce back are optimists – Martin Seligman
Ok folks, do have a nice weekend. Stay motivated
•Ayodeji is an author, rights activist, pastor and life coach. He can be reached for mentoring and counselling on 09059243004 (SMS and WhatsApp only)