More things you should be doing as an undergraduate

By

Austin Archibong

Austin is a final year student of chemical engineering at the University of Ilorin

This contribution is borne from Jarus’s superb write-up on six things undergrads should do before leaving school. On that note, I’d like to add a  few more tips.

• Diversifying from your major a bit: Imagine a scenario where you don’t get what you really want but you can/are willing to be engaged in several other profitable and legitimate endeavours; in fact, I advise aside your regular 8-5, if you intend going that path(like me), have a side business/venture and at least one non-taxable (or very low rate) income source. I intend becoming a process engineer for instance but have been preparing  for other career paths or at least prepare myself to take up other roles. Procurement, logistics and supply chain management, lecturing, civil service (only in certain departments) etc have their respective points in my list of priority (this list I advise should be drafted after considering my next point). Albeit, If I decide to leave the engineering discipline entirely. Within the discipline, I still have priority based on assumptions I made from investigations and happenings. All these are based on my current orientation which are subject to the constant law in life, change! FMCGs, oil exploration and production, gas processing, consulting, oil servicing et al, they all have their place based on several factors (not discussed now). Independent research and gathering as much knowledge as possible is strongly preached. The side business could be anything that fetches revenue based on your ‘person.’ Non-taxable (or with less rate) income sources in our society are numerous. Paid personal career advices and services, speaking engagements, a distinguished Compere/Master of Ceremonies(MC), professional dancing/singing, modelling, events planning, tutorial centres/services, professional or free lance writing etc. The list is endless. Just plan in that regard, basically.

• Study and try and understand how life works: I like telling people that critical in this life is understanding yourself very well and the way the world works. That simple understanding will save you a whole lot of stress. Lots of things are decisive; good information, networking, seizing opportunities, being a master in your field, climbing the corporate ladder, politicking and politics, bribery, corruption, importance of common sense, knowing when to draw the line in all your dealings, relationships and affairs, sex, family, money, responsibilities, fate, virtues, how everything now depends on speed etc. The list is endless but I’m certain you can relate.

• Have fun: It used to be a cliché that “I love you” was the most deceitful teenage word which even extended to everyone. Now its UOLO (U only live once). Many now take it to mean several things. I recommend having fun, within your own limits. When you start that life, you’d be saddled with many engagements, so have that fun and don’t lose your youthfulness. Eat, try other things, party, meet lots of new people, dance and sing, play well. [Jarus’ Note: While I agree with Austin that one should be Social, I don’t buy this point fully. If you play or party too much, you may lose focus. You can be Social without being a party-rocker]

• Learn and try different things: I voluntarily interned with drycleaners, one week each just because I wanted to learn about fabrics tendering, how to starch and iron properly etc. I had always wanted to learn the organ, so when I am less busy, I look and pay for who can teach me. I feel I have a lot of energy and time, so I make use of it. Positively. You can sing, go to a studio, record it and just share it for free, I still write lots of stories and articles, convert to ebooks and give out, some I try to publish on various media. There are tons of things to do. You can learn a language, there’s catering, fashion, dance, blogging etc, all for fun. You’d be happy when people appreciate your work.There’s GRE and GMAT, you can start preparing ahead, professional exams too. Learn freely, without compulsion. Organise a programme for younger ones in your department. I still advise 100 level students on importance of applying for scholarships, debates and writing competitions, competitions and great programmes generally. Aside the money, if you win, those tests help you stay in shape, would be helpful during job-hunt. The vocabularies you are exposed to while writing, constantly thinking and creating cannot be overemphasized. Several activities are there. Focus on indirect learning as well.

P.S: Personally, in retrospect, over-ambition did scratch me a bit. Never place the cart before the horse. I know you understand, it’s neither Fourier series nor Laplace transform. See you at the top!

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