Life after school

Hello stemians thrilled to be here
Please here's my entry

LIFE AFTER SCHOOL – A JOURNEY OF REALITY, RESILIENCE AND REDIRECTION

Growing up, I believed life after school would be smooth—get good grades, graduate, land a great job, and start living the dream. We were told education was the master key to success, and honestly, I held on to that belief tightly. But nothing quite prepares you for the moment when you step out of the school gates for the last time and into the real world—where things don’t always follow the script.

For me, life after school has been a mixture of eye-openers, hustle, and growth. The “dream job” didn’t show up immediately. Instead, there was a lot of waiting, applying, being ignored, and starting over. It felt like someone pressed a reset button on all the years I had spent studying. You begin to ask questions. Did I miss something? Was I not good enough? Or worse—was it all a scam?

So, is education a scam?

Well, my answer is: yes and no. On one hand, education teaches us critical thinking, gives us exposure, builds networks, and prepares our minds. That’s priceless. But on the other hand, the system is outdated. It rarely prepares us for life’s realities—how to handle rejection, how to start a business, how to navigate financial independence, or even how to build a career in today's digital economy. Instead, we learn how to cram and pass. So while education itself isn’t a scam, the expectation that school alone will guarantee success? That’s where the scam lies.

What happens when you graduate and there’s no job?

This is the part many people don’t talk about enough. You sit at home, scrolling job listings, feeling like your degree is just a piece of paper. The truth is, in today’s world, your degree is just the start. If there's no job waiting, create one. Learn a soft skill. Build something of your own.

Here are some skills that have changed people’s lives:

Graphic Design: Everyone needs visuals—from businesses to influencers. You can start learning with free tools like Canva and grow into Adobe Illustrator or Photoshop.

Content Writing: If you can write well, you can get paid for blogs, ads, scripts, and more.

Digital Marketing: With businesses moving online, digital marketers are in hot demand. Learn how to run Facebook and Google ads, and you’re golden.

Video Editing: YouTube, TikTok, Instagram—videos are everywhere. Learn to edit, and people will pay you for your skill.

Coding and Tech: Web development, UI/UX design, app creation—these skills are future-proof.

You can also consider starting a small business with low capital. Things like thrift clothing sales, food delivery, perfume oil, skincare products, or selling gadgets and accessories. Start small, learn the ropes, and grow as you go.

So, is the government to blame for all this?

It’s easy to point fingers, and in truth, the government does carry a big part of the blame. There’s a lack of jobs, poor infrastructure, and little support for startups. The system isn’t built to help graduates transition smoothly into the workforce.

But at some point, we also need to take responsibility for our growth. We may not control the government, but we can control our decisions. Instead of waiting endlessly, we can choose to adapt. In the age of the internet, global opportunities are just one skill away. And that brings me to something that’s been a game changer for me and many others—Steemit.

Can Steemit reduce the number of unemployed graduates in our country?

Absolutely, yes. Here’s why: Steemit is more than a blogging platform. It’s a place where creativity meets opportunity. You write, post, engage, and earn. For someone without a job, it can be the difference between staying stuck and starting a new journey.

You don't need to be a professional writer. Share your story, talk about your passions, join contests (like this one), and you’ll see how quickly your voice can earn you real income. With time, you also build important skills like consistency, audience engagement, writing, digital branding, and networking—all of which are powerful tools in today’s world.

If more young people join platforms like Steemit, they’ll not only earn but also grow. That’s how we beat unemployment—by creating value, not just waiting for someone to hand it to us.

If I had the chance to invest while I was still in school...

Oh, I would have done a lot differently. I’d start by investing in digital skills—learning to code, design, or write professionally. I would have built my personal brand online, so that by the time I graduated, I’d already have clients or followers. I’d also look into agriculture, surprisingly. Snail farming, poultry, and small-scale crop production are goldmines if done well.

Most importantly, I would have invested in self-development—reading books, attending free webinars, following inspiring creators, and surrounding myself with people who think differently.

Final Thoughts

Life after school is not a fairy tale. It’s a blank page. And no one is going to write your story for you. You’ll get discouraged, you’ll feel lost, and sometimes you’ll question everything—but keep going. Learn a skill. Build something. Write on Steemit. Connect with others. Don’t be afraid to start small.

The journey might be tough, but every step you take brings you closer to becoming the version of yourself that school never taught you to be: creative, resourceful, and unstoppable.

The pictures are pictures of my secondary college

Thanks for reading—and I can’t wait to see what others share in this contest. We’re all in this together.