Work Hacks: The Good, the bad, and the Ugly. Part 1

Overcoming the first few months of landing a Job.

Trying Times

 

In a typical Nigerian environment, you must have dutifully achieved most of these things: painstakingly graduated from a higher institution, probably worn the green cap, become familiar with virtually most of the popular employment portals on the internet, gone in for an uncountable number of energy-draining exam and job interviews, and you might have even stepped the extra mile and obtained a skill or added more feathers to your long list of certificates. 

One sunny day, you open your mail box, with a leap to the skies, your arm shooting out all the way up, your eyes wide open, your tongue dangling out of your gap mouth, and with a heightened spirit of the uplifted, you read:

Dear Madam/ Sir,

We are pleased to inform you that.....

That day would certainly be one of the most unforgettable moments in your life because it was indeed what you have been waiting for, right?

The Journey

You are done with the various documentation, shopped if you could afford it, and prepared yourself ahead of the D-Day. On that faithful morning, you must have either driven yourself, flown, taken a cab, or even a bus or you just walked to the new place of employment. You feel the perspiration quite alright, your heart is beating, and your temperature seems a little bit way above normal while climbing the staircase or using the elevator. 

Immediately you press that door open, one of these may happen few months down the line: you would feel entirely out of place, everything might seem new, you may struggle to find your feet, the workload could seem enormous, and most tasks would be something entirely different from what you knew. At that point, you start asking yourself questions about your abilities, you start thinking that maybe you are probably in the wrong place or the company employed the wrong person for the job, and the only idea which comes to your head is resignation. Most times, you could even fall into depression or lose your self confidence in a situation where your colleagues or boss is hostile.

Help!

Just hang in there, help is here. Well, a group of professionals in their different fields are here to share their own experience just like you, and how they overcame. This shows you that for every bad experience you have, there are a thousand out there who are going through the same or have gone through the same ordeal, and have come out victorious.

How they Overcame

These professionals have taken out their time to talk on what it felt like the first few months at work, how they overcame the good, the bad, and the ugly phases, and what was their motivation.

The Culinary Industry

Life of a Chef

Food is one of the most essential part of living. What happens when one finds himself in a situation of such beautiful service to humanity? Let's hear from Ben, a chef in an exquisite hotel in the heart of Lagos.

I had so many unforgettable challenges! I was getting to study and know people's habits, who loves, likes, and accepts you, and trying to adapt to people's character. It was a bit tough because I was a novice then,  and people tried to step on me; playing me , the old members of staff always took charge, and I was a runner, Lol, even with my experience.

How I got through it was that I put away my Ego, and tried as much as I could to be patient, work and adapt to different habits. My humility helped me to acquire some skills, knowing that I will surpass them soon. I think that was also my greatest motivation.

Benjamin Evex

Chef in Lagos

Benevex@gmail.com

Research Industry

Leaving Home

Although our dreams for survival and self actualization may drive us far from home, but the fact that our minds are always in pursuit of happiness makes all the difference. On the other hand, one might also face immeasurable obstacles and circumstances beyond their control.

Let’s look at Ekene who leaves home in search of knowledge.

It was crazy. Everything seemed different, I struggled with adapting and integrating myself into the demands of the work. It was really very challenging and tough for me.

I just had to work extra hard, I guess that was the only choice. I set targets for myself, developed my own routine, and studied to learn and understand the new things I didn't know at the time.

The fact that I'm an immigrant in a foreign country motivated me the most. I constantly had to remind myself that I didn't come this far not to succeed or just be average. It encouraged me to put in more efforts in the work I do.

Ekene Umego

Research Scientist, China
umegoe@gmail.com

@princkencee

Education

The Classroom Experience

We all know how tasking teaching could be even if you are passionate about it. Ogonna is a seasoned tutor with love for kids. Sharing her experience with us was awesome!

Being a professional, my first few months at work was interesting, exciting and fascinating. I pulled through by holding onto my vision and dream of working to prove myself  worthy, capable, competent, and a goal-setter in whatever I put my mind in to achieve.

My best motivator was Mrs O.B Fagbemi, the proprietress of Success Schools, Sokoto; how she grew with her untiring effort towards making her school one of the best in Sokoto and also among the best in Nigeria. 

Mrs Florence Ogonna ilenikhena,  

Tutor, Abuja

florenceilence@gmail.com

@florenceilens 

Wow! What a read!

I hope you enjoyed it. The next part is quite emotional, and I hope you would be back to follow the experience. 

Please share your experience as we can't wait to read. 

Cheers!