Our educational system is tailored to produce more certificate holders
than solution providers. As a student in Nigeria, you spend over 70% of
your schooling years learning theories, this may be a hypothesis but
it’s not far from the truth. Quite a number of courses offered in our
higher institutions are focused on solving abstract problems and not
real life problems. As a result we have too many people with
certificates but jobless or underemployed.
Certificate don’t make people outstanding, skill does. The more skills you have, the better your options in the labour market. The level of skills you have will greatly affect your career pace and your earning potential.
So many graduates know a lot about the courses they studied but only a handful know how to create value with the knowledge and make money off it. This is because our schools don’t teach us how to apply our knowledge to real life situations. We can only learn this crucial lesson through self education.
Most powerful economies are run by people with skills (with or without certificates). To make significant contributions to our country and enjoy the dividends of Nigerian economy you need to level up your skills level. Make skills acquisition a lifetime goal.
Here’s six necessary skills every graduate should learn:
1. Digital Literacy
Digital literacy is the set of competencies required for full participation in a knowledge society. It includes knowledge, skills, and behaviors involving the effective use of digital devices such as smartphones ,
tablets , laptops and desktop PCs for purposes of communication, expression, collaboration and advocacy. While digital literacy initially focused on digital skills and stand-alone computers, the focus has shifted from stand-alone to network devices including the Internet and social media.
This is number one on the list simply because the acquisition of other skills is significantly dependent on it. We are in a digital age, and for most organizations – computer literacy is not optional but necessary. Without this skills your chances of getting a good job is limited.
2. Research Skills
Your ability to assess a situation, seek multiple perspectives, gather more information if necessary, and identify key issues that need to be addressed are critically important.
Since every potential employer, regardless of the profession, is seeking employees who can help them to solve problems the more that you can showcase your abilities in this area will certainly catch their attention.
3. Leadership Skills
Leadership skills are not only required at executive levels, they are critical for success at all levels. Leadership skills include strategic thinking, ability to make thoughtful decisions about organization’s objectives, effective communication, etc.
According to MindTools Leaders help themselves and others to do the right things. They set direction, build an inspiring vision, and create something new. Leadership is about mapping out where you need to go to “win” as a team or an organization; and it is dynamic, exciting, and inspiring.
4. Communication Skills
Communication is an inevitable skill required for success in all walks of life. This is the ability to effectively and efficiently express your ideas or views to another person. With clear communication you can get your message to a prospective employer impressively. Here’s an article on
Improving Communication Skills in Your Work and Personal Relationships (link is click able on the article). See full article link below.
5. Salesmanship
Salesmanship is defined as the level of skill you have in convincing people to buy or in persuading people to do something. Starting from your resume down to interview, this skill is important. You have to sell yourself well at each stage of the recruitment exercise to get any prominent job.
You need to do all you can to improve on your salesmanship, you can read these tips on how to improve your salesmanship.
Certificate don’t make people outstanding, skill does. The more skills you have, the better your options in the labour market. The level of skills you have will greatly affect your career pace and your earning potential.
So many graduates know a lot about the courses they studied but only a handful know how to create value with the knowledge and make money off it. This is because our schools don’t teach us how to apply our knowledge to real life situations. We can only learn this crucial lesson through self education.
Most powerful economies are run by people with skills (with or without certificates). To make significant contributions to our country and enjoy the dividends of Nigerian economy you need to level up your skills level. Make skills acquisition a lifetime goal.
Here’s six necessary skills every graduate should learn:
1. Digital Literacy
Digital literacy is the set of competencies required for full participation in a knowledge society. It includes knowledge, skills, and behaviors involving the effective use of digital devices such as smartphones ,
tablets , laptops and desktop PCs for purposes of communication, expression, collaboration and advocacy. While digital literacy initially focused on digital skills and stand-alone computers, the focus has shifted from stand-alone to network devices including the Internet and social media.
This is number one on the list simply because the acquisition of other skills is significantly dependent on it. We are in a digital age, and for most organizations – computer literacy is not optional but necessary. Without this skills your chances of getting a good job is limited.
2. Research Skills
Your ability to assess a situation, seek multiple perspectives, gather more information if necessary, and identify key issues that need to be addressed are critically important.
Since every potential employer, regardless of the profession, is seeking employees who can help them to solve problems the more that you can showcase your abilities in this area will certainly catch their attention.
3. Leadership Skills
Leadership skills are not only required at executive levels, they are critical for success at all levels. Leadership skills include strategic thinking, ability to make thoughtful decisions about organization’s objectives, effective communication, etc.
According to MindTools Leaders help themselves and others to do the right things. They set direction, build an inspiring vision, and create something new. Leadership is about mapping out where you need to go to “win” as a team or an organization; and it is dynamic, exciting, and inspiring.
4. Communication Skills
Communication is an inevitable skill required for success in all walks of life. This is the ability to effectively and efficiently express your ideas or views to another person. With clear communication you can get your message to a prospective employer impressively. Here’s an article on
Improving Communication Skills in Your Work and Personal Relationships (link is click able on the article). See full article link below.
5. Salesmanship
Salesmanship is defined as the level of skill you have in convincing people to buy or in persuading people to do something. Starting from your resume down to interview, this skill is important. You have to sell yourself well at each stage of the recruitment exercise to get any prominent job.
You need to do all you can to improve on your salesmanship, you can read these tips on how to improve your salesmanship.
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