Students are sometimes shielded from the ‘real world’ when in campus
and college. Most don’t have responsibilities and have enough cash to
see them through the semester. The routine in college is quite basic:
class on weekdays and partying on weekends and the process repeats
itself until recess. But for the few enterprising and forward-thinking
students, there are boundless opportunities to make an extra coin in
campus
While campus offers the room for talents and hobbies to blossom, many
students bury their non-academic aspirations. It is not supposed to be
that way. Quite evidently from the recent past, creative efforts are as
lucrative as the demanding office jobs. And better still,
creativity-reliant jobs are more fulfilling and offer freedom than the
9-5 job that many yearn for.
But in college you are at the peak of your energies, creativity,
freedom and support to experiment with the many things you would have
wished to do in high school but were stifled. You have friends, a forum
or a market to test your ideas; sometimes you even have a roof over your
head provided by parents or the university, thus giving you a lot of
time to juggle both studies and a side-hustle.
Most of the time, many students, especially in humanities and social
sciences have barely three lesson a day. Essentially only a half a day
is covered and the rest is normally wasted on a watching movies/series
or playing FIFA. This time can be utilized effectively to generate some
income while honing your skills that can prove worthwhile in your future
endeavours. Here are 5 top ideas worth pursuing.
1. Writing
Many students are talented in writing but often don’t understand that
they can make money easily by writing to newspapers, magazines or
academic papers (a growing international demand). All it takes is
interest and passion in writing. Add to that some good understanding of
grammar, a curious and inquisitive mind and you are good to go. Next you
will need some proper understanding of the publication and get the
contacts of the editor.
As long what you write is in line with the publication’s interest,
odd or funny, you always stand a good chance of being published. Have a
probing mind and open your eyes for anything you notice worth sharing; a
photo, graffiti, a talented student worth profiling, a news event in
campus worth public knowledge, something investigative like say on
drugs, are some of the things can interest editors.
There is some reasonably good money to be earned. On average a short
piece can earn you about Ksh 3,000 and longer one Ksh 8,000. Sometimes
it could be more or less depending on the publication but if you manage
four small pieces a month, you see you will have some Ksh 12,000 at the
end of the month. If a longer one, it is Ksh 32,000. You will be amazed
that it doesn’t take much. There are many students who have established
themselves as seasoned writers and graduating to be even greater writers
and good jobs in the media.
2. Sales and marketing
If there was one job that will suck life out of you, it has to be
sales. Yet it is the most readily available job for the many graduates.
Predictably, most drop sales and marketing jobs after picking their
first paycheck. A sales job for a bank or an insurance company is
particularly an impossibly difficult task in a fast moving city like
Nairobi where people are characteristically impatient. But you can learn
a lot and make crucial contacts for your next career move.
Campus provides a special forum for you to sharpen your abilities
especially on communication and people handling skills. You can work on
your charisma, sales-pitching skills by trying it on your friends. You
can also try your internship earlier on especially if you are in a
business-related course. This will help you to be continually busy or
even promoted owing to your experience upon completion of your diploma
or degree.
You can also start some small time business on supplies, given that
campus is normally a microcosm of the country, you will interact with as
many characters as you will ever meet in the outside world. There is a
lot of money in sales, what with the commissions, but it is a job that
needs a lot of patience, learning and a tolerant attitude. These are
skills that you can easily rehearse while in campus rather than getting
out there and starting to struggle with files talking to strangers who
have no respect absolutely for your job.
3. Student politics
Politics is often ignored and frowned upon by many students, but it
is a route to national politics. Think of James Orengo, Martha Karua,
Kabando wa Kabando, AbabuNamwamba, Joshua Kutuny who were at one time
student leaders.
These individuals had it right from the word go in college. They may
not be the best representative we would wish to quote here, but at an
individual level, they demonstrate the latent capacity of student
leadership. Although we know we shouldn’t be in politics for the money,
the reality is that student leaders brush shoulders with national
leaders and subsequently are exposed to more opportunities.
University administration pays student leaders a stipend for their upkeep and is often a phone-call away to the VC.
So if you are charismatic, can work up a crowd, you are loud and can
mobilize 120 students at the blink of an eye, you better start making
contacts in big places. But remember, the world of politics is murky.
4. Sports
Although sports can be demanding and might be a tough call to balance
school and sports, it offers a unique opportunity to showcase your
talent with guaranteed support. Football, basketball, hockey and rugby
clubs often scouts for talent in campuses and it is common to find
students playing for professional teams, for instance the University of
Nairobi’s Mean Machine.
This is especially meaningful for individuals with talent that was
tapped well in high school. With the freedom and improved resources, it
is always good to give it a shot and while at it, getting the necessary
contacts.
5. Public speaking/performing arts/broadcast media
For those given to too much talking, but not interested in politics,
they can refine their oral skills in public speaking, performing arts or
even giving broadcast media a shot. You can depend on the various
audiences like the church, the bible study groups, the Rotaract
meetings, Red-Cross brainstorming sessions, AIESEC, SIFE just about
anywhere you can find a crowd that can listen to you, you can grow your
confidence and perfect your skills as you are routinely entrusted to be
an MC at events. That normally comes with money, of course.
So there you have it. Next time you opt for a Series or FIFA at 2 pm,
think twice. That time can be used to get you money elsewhere. Go forth
and try out something new this year, you might need a job after
college!
By Silas Nyanchwani
Zetech College
Courtesy of capitalfm
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