Beyond the Degree: Can My Tailoring Skills Become My Career? A Graduate’s Dilemma
I have always looked up to my graduation after the university here in Nigeria. Finishing university is supposed to feel like a grand achievement for years. I did imagine walking across the stage,degree in hand,ready to step into the world with confidence. And now that day has come and gone; like many Nigerian graduates, I am caught in a dilemma. Should I pursue a career related to my degree or should I rely on the skill I learned and picked up during school, but now I am confused on the path to follow.
I thank God for all the struggles,patients and everything I have learned in school, which is the university. I have always had this happiness that when I am done with the university I will get a good job furthering my career in my course of study (project management technology). With my degree in project management, I have certain career options. I could work in a government parastatal or establishment or even go for my masters, which is postgraduate studies abroad,if I want to dive into my field of study.
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The traditional parts of going to school and getting a job is what my parents want for me since they paid my fees and they are expecting a return on investment from me, but I don't feel that way of going through the traditional parts.
While in school, I learned a skill (fashion designing). At first, this skill was just to make extra cash to support myself in school and to also get extra accessories like clothes and shoes and to go to parties with the extra funds.What is the university without parties? Indeed, this skill has actually helped me through my days in school.
I am so happy when I make clothes for a client; there is this inner joy and excitement I have whenever I see a person or a client try the clothes I make. But lately I have been thinking, Do I really want this? Would this skill be what it is in the long run? Would I regret my actions in choosing to build a career on this skill? One of the things that makes me so worried is my parent expectations.
In Nigeria, career choices are viewed through a specific perception, and my parents and friends may not fully understand my decision to purchase something not related to my field of study. They may see it as me wasting their investment, especially my dad; they might worry about the stress and instability that come with starting a career from the ground. I truly understand them.
But I have come to realize that it's my life, even though I choose the traditional way. It's going to be hard in the future, but if I don't try or follow my passion, which is fashion designing, I may regret it in the long run. I will try my passion, and even if it doesn't work out, I can try something else and be happy that I tried. I won't let the fear of the unknown hold me back. I refuse to be held back; I will pursue my passion. Harrison eugene
