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Why You Should Get Certified Before Resumption

 Since the announcement of the initial 4-week strike by the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) on 14 February 2022, academic activities across public universities have been suspended nationwide. Still, students can get certified while they await a positive end to the now 9-week-old saga.

It is no news to students of public Nigerian universities that academic activities have been suspended nationwide by the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU), in response to the failure of the Federal Government (FG) to honour previous agreements accumulated over the years.

This total standstill has had a terrible effect on the education sector and the economy. Most students who barely resumed a month before the commencement of the strike have either been forced to travel back to their homes or remain in school and just wait, expecting the impasse to be resolved. Whatever the decision, not only is this expensive, it is frustrating, especially as their counterparts in private schools have made significant progress and edge closer to the labour market.

Despite the negative vibe around the strike, it presents a wonderful opportunity for students to apply themselves towards acquiring skills that would be helpful to them in the future for the following reason:

1. An Enriched CV

While it is a great thing to graduate with a good result, employers don't really want just that. They seek two extra things that can give any job applicant the edge over others: experience, or extra certifications. A mass communications graduate for instance, who has been certified in say, giving interviews professionally, would stand a better chance of getting a job with a broadcasting firm than a competitor who has no such certification.

2. Switch in Career Path

A high percentage of students do not land their dream career studying at the university. This tends to result in a sense of dissatisfaction, even if they land good jobs in the course they eventually study. Acquiring skills and getting certified in their ideal passion allows them not only to learn and earn with it on the side, but they could also fully switch career paths with a proven degree of competence. Not only would this create a true sense of satisfaction, but it can also sponsor a lifestyle of comfort.

3. 4 years (at the least), is too long a time for just one certificate

A lot of students graduate from school with just their degree, and that's all. All their hopes for a bright tomorrow are dependent on that one degree, and they're ready to wait, no matter how long it takes. This is one of the reasons the rate of unemployment is high nationwide; there aren't just enough jobs for people like this. So, why not learn new things, enrich your CV every year, and be relevant in multiple fields? This is what I'd have done if I knew what I'm telling you about.

Having said this, I hope you're stimulated to get up, get connected, and look for something to learn. There are free courses and paid courses online covering a wide range of skills, and I'm sure there's at least one for you.

Confused about what to learn? Don't be! In my next post, I'll write on 10 things you could learn while the strike is on. You could even start earning from them.

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Stay smart!