Relenting Is Not an Option for Attaining Success

Relenting Is Not an Option for Attaining SuccessBY:MAHMUD BOLAJI SAUBAN I’m so delighted and happy that I have finally come up with this story of mine, which I am about to share in this insight. The whole story is, au fond , related to my internship saga. My experience might serve as a source of encouragement and lessons to others, which is the reason why I have decided to share it in this insight. Ever since we were told in my department at Lagos State University that we would have to work in companies or organisations as intern students, I have been going through a lot of stress, starting from looking for a suitable placement to considering the distance because of the cost of transportation and other related expenses. Coupled with the fact that I have some other activities I am engaged in within the school and outside the school premises, the process of getting a placement became very stressful for me at the beginning. I reached out through emails, calls, and chats to several companies, embassies, international firms and organisations, airports, and even offices that were not related to my course. However, all my efforts proved abortive. I even went as far as visiting some companies personally for conversations ,but the responses I received from them were not encouraging or promising. This really broke me and weakened me a lot. Moving further, I spoke to some of my lecturers whom I am closer to, and they referred me to some companies and firms. However, I was not really satisfied with the activities of some of these places because I know what I want for myself, and I have to prioritise my ambition. I kept on trying and reaching out to my friends, brothers, uncles, and even some of our closest neighbours who have good relationships with me. But they were mostly saying the same thing, and this started creating some negative impressions in my mind. The negative impression it actually created was that job opportunities are very slim and limited, despite the number of companies and organisations available in this country. If an SIWES/intern student who simply wants to undergo training and gain some level of experience in a particular field for a few months finds it difficult to get a placement, how will a graduate be able to get a job, not to talk of a well-paid one? The situation in our country when it comes to job opportunities does not seem promising at all and the substantive problems, to a large extent come from our government. Furthermore, I was referred to a firm in Lekki. I decided to give it a try and see if it would work out for me, despite the transportation fare constraints. I went there and they agreed to allow me to do my internship in their firm. After a good three weeks of going there, I was unable to point out any tangible activity that I could properly document or record in my logbook. Then, I began to have second thoughts. Although it was a well-structured firm, I had to make a decision that would allow me to have something meaningful to document in my logbook, as we all know how important it is. In the end, I found myself in an academic setting and organisation whose activities are centred around administrative work. I am so happy with every single activity of the organisation and with the experience I have been able to gather, coupled with the friendly staff and fellow internship students I met there. All that happened to me before getting to my final destination reminds me of an old saying “You will get involved in what does not concern you before engaging in what concerns you the most.” In our local slang, we do say “You gas go where mama no send you before you go reach your destination.” Looking back now, I realise that every stage of the journey had its own lesson. Had I relented because of the stress, turn-downs, wasted efforts, transportation expenses, and disappointments, and failed to prioritise what I wanted for myself, I would not have been opportune to be in my present placement today. Sometimes, the process may not be easy, and the journey may not go exactly the way we planned. But as long as we know what we want and continue to make efforts towards achieving it, we may eventually find ourselves where we are supposed to be. Relenting is not an option for attaining success. Have you ever witnessed or experienced something similar? Let me know about your experience during your Internship/SIWES.

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