How to find meaningful Jobs as a Fresh Graduate

There are many factors that can guide in answering this question of "how fresh graduates can approach the work world in a way that allows them find work that is meaningful early-on" Over the course of my career, I have interviewed so many successful people across different industries on this question and the helpful insights they've shared have been nothing short of eye-opening. I am happy to share these proven insights from my interactions in the following paragraphs.

Start Early: Usually, the first thing on the minds of most fresh graduates is to officially take a break, lazy around and paint the town red. Some take this too far and stay in this zone for too long. The smartest decision an undergraduate can make is to have a sense of where they are going or where they would want to be or what they would want to do upon graduation. This can save you years or a lifetime of wallowing in an unfulfilling career. If you missed this chance, your next window may be immediately upon graduation or after you finish reading this.

Know thyself and to thyself be true: Stop trying to figure out the world or things that are outside your control. Start with what you know and have absolute control over; Y O U! Who are you? What are your values? What are the areas of life or key experiences that has so far resonated with you? For me it was (and still is) helping people and businesses grow by providing useful advice and guidance. I discovered this while working on projects as an undergrad in a Non-Profit I volunteered called Students In Free Enterprise (SIFE) - now known as Enactus Nigeria. So, even before you figure out the various roles you can likely fit into, you should have a good idea of what your kind of work should look like - mine was anything that allowed me provide business advice.

What are your biggest opportunities for professional and personal growth: This is the next question you want to ask yourself. You can only do justice to this question by doing the following:

1. Take out time to list out your strengths (e.g writing and piecing information together, analysing data, making creative designs...);

2. Do a thorough research about relevant professions both online and through speaking with experienced professionals across industries. For instance, I didn't know about the Management Consulting Industry as an undergraduate until I spoke with several professionals;

3. Next, match your strengths and major skills with opportunities in top professions across the probable industries you shortlisted from your research and discussions so that you see where you can fit.

You always have a choice: Yes yes! Put yourself out there and demand from life what you truly want. Don't just take what's available or scramble for crumbs with the crowds. Now that you have an idea of what you want and the possible industries, drill further down to the particular Companies you would like to invest yourself in and go for them. You have the option of sending your CV directly to the email provided in the Career section of their website, connecting with one or two employees of the Company on LinkedIn and asking them for the best approach for getting a job placement with them or walking into their physical office if it is within an area you can visit. You also need to learn the art of cold emailing.

Make wise career choices: The rat race of life intensifies after graduation and accelerates by the years. Everyone wants to make it and make it big. Due to this, many people make poor career choices for the wrong reasons. When you are starting out in the job market, it's advisable to shop for skill building careers such as Consulting as against bareboned high paying careers or bareboned careers with high-sounding titles. Don't make a job decision strictly on the immediate earning potential or because you are going to be given a managerial title. Prioritise careers that have high skill-building potential that can make you relevant across industries and sectors by the years.

At the end of one or two years, what skills would you have acquired? who would you have become? how relevant would you / your skills be? what particular kinds of industries would your skills be relevant for? These are the kinds of questions you should be asking yourself.

Set SMART goals for your career and life: One of the habits of highly effective people as shared by Stephen Covey in his book The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People is to begin with the end in mind (by the way, I recommend you read this book if you haven't). Have a vision for your life and career over the next 5 -10 years and write out goals you would like to achieve in the next 1-2 years in line with your vision. But make sure they are SMART - Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Realistic and Time-bound. You can read more on setting SMART goals here. Like they say, you can't hit a target you cannot see. Can you imagine watching a football game that has no goal post? That is similar to what you are doing with your career and life by not setting goals...basically drifting through life aimlessly.

Where do you see yourself in the next 5 years...in 10 years? What goals would help you get to this desired end? What goals must you achieve in year 1...2...?

Change your mindset from the usual 9-5 makes a pay: Stop thinking like some of our parents. Sounds hard? Not my intention, but the truth is, the world has evolved beyond the industrial age where having a 9-5 job was critical to having a successful life. So, one of the major advice and rationale for going to school back then was to be in an advantageous position to land a good job. Also, starting a business was like passing through the eye of a needle; with the huge cost of raising capital and running a business. Today, telling someone to study hard simply to be able to land a lucrative job will be an unfair advice in light of the numerous avenues available for exploring different skills, talents and interests. Not to mention the many platforms like Youtube, Facebook, Instagram and Snapchat for building a business without the burden of raising capital, marketing, overheads and staffing, etc.

Bottom line, in today's world, valuable contributions makes a pay - be it skills, experience, expertise or talent. We are in a world where bloggers, Vloggers, Youtubers... are millionaires.

What skills, knowledge, experience, expertise or gifts do you have? How can you derive more value (income and fulfillment) from them?

Think global and spread your tentacles: Covid-19 or not, the world remains a global village. These are times where you can live in the UK and work in Lagos, Nigeria. You can even have multiple jobs across different continents and work on a time schedule you choose.

The opportunities are myriad and varied. Why on earth should you limit yourself and potentials?

How can you start exploring and taking advantage of the universe of opportunities at your disposal?

Think digital and stay relevant: Research shows that majority of the businesses that are not online will become extinct in the next ten years. My friend, don't think that does not apply to you because you are not a business. If you do not have digital skills or skills that can leverage on digital platforms, you stand the risk of becoming like a typewriter - irrelevant. Be deliberate about acquiring digital skills regardless of your profession or interest; it will serve you well both now and in the future. As the pace of technological change and innovation accelerates, do well to keep adding fresh layers to your skills set. There is a platform for every skill you have...Stay relevant!

What platforms can best help you leverage your skills, knowledge, experience, expertise or gifts? 

Be hungry and stay hungry: Not for food but for knowledge. Avoid getting rusty as you begin to attain some levels of achievement and comfort in your profession. Keep learning...don't stop working on yourself like a garden. Keep reviewing your skill set and upgrading it. Connect with those that are already successful in that which you wish to do or become. Ask questions. Read on specific areas of interest to expand your mind...don't stop learning! Don't stop cultivating Y O U!

At every point in your life, you should always be learning something new. When was the last time you learnt something new? What's new with you?

Live prepared for opportunities: Like they say, luck favours the prepared. Always know your knowledge and skill gaps and what will be required to move to the next level of your career or life. Identify specific skill set you want to build per month, quarter and over the course of the year(s).

What specific skills do you need to acquire or build for the future? What transferable skills (skills that you can leverage across several industries and sectors) are you building? How prepared are you for the next big opportunity?

Also, make opportunities accessible to you. How accessible are opportunities to you? Do you have a well updated profile on LinkedIn? Can recruiters and decision makers identify your skills and capabilities easily?

Good relationships are priceless: Every job you get is an opportunity to build meaningful relationships. Where skills, knowledge, money or talent may not take you or fail to speak for you, people can.

As much as it is possible with you, be at peace with all men you meet on your journey. They just might be the bridge to your next level.

Above all, let God lead you: In a world of growing uncertainties, you need God. The predictions of men are, at best, are best guesses. You cannot afford to be tossed to and fro by every wind of change and unpredictability. There’s a place of having a deeper sense of direction beyond research, observations and predictions that seats only in God. Allow Him lead you.