First and foremost, congratulations to all Ghanaian National Service Personnel. You are officially out in the working world. And although, your allowance won’t be enough to sustain you there are still opportunities to take advantage of, cautions to be weary of and tips to learn from.
This public service announcement may be difficult to wrap your head around but it’s the reality. So sit back, buckle up, take note and experience your first NSS.
Here are 10 tips you need to know as a National Service Personnel.
1. Be ready to learn and give aid.
You are more of an intern than a service personnel. Your job there is to ease the workload. Understand this and strive to give aid and learn any and everything along the way. Especially technical systems and processes.
2. Don’t get too attached to your role.
It’s usually in and out where National Service personnel are concerned. Run your race, serve as diligently as you can, build connections and ensure you leave (if that happens) on a great note.
3. Don’t dwell on your NSS allowance. Get a side hustle.
Do not fixate on your monthly allowance, dear NSP. Sometimes it may even delay. Learn a digital or remote skill on the side that pays. Graphic design from Canva, UX design from Figma or even opening a faceless content page on YouTube such as relaxing music playlists or motivational videos. The options are yours.
4. Don’t make enemies at the work space.
It’s not necessary. Learn to walk away from drama. You came to learn, not debate or fight. Trust me, you don’t need that stress in a work space that you’ll be leaving in less than a year.
5. Don’t forget to take your lunch break. Always!
Please, this is your time to breathe and immerse yourself. Waking up at 6am to get to work before 8am? And then closing at 5pm? My sister, my brother, please your lunch break is sacred. You can even use it to catch up on social media or watch a movie. Just take it!
6. Network, network network!
You never know who is who is the office. The person next to you may just be the who-you-now that will secure you your job after your service. Network. Make friends with workers, other NSS personnel and even the security guards and cleaners. The last two can make your life during your service easier.
7. Invest in yourself.
We know the money isn’t enough but you need to invest in how you look, how you smell and how you communicate. How you dress is how you will be addressed, remember this.
8. Be ready to engage clients.
This ties in with point 6. Be ever-ready to help clients. Ingratiate yourself with them if you can. That client could be your breakthrough.
9. Be careful who you confide in.
Not everyone is your friend. Even the other national service personnel there. Walls have ears and sabotage is very ripe in the work space. Keep your secrets to your chest and your confidence on your sleeve.
10. Don’t forget your headphones.
The ride to and from work can be a nightmare. Why not blot out the noise with some music, something motivational or educative? You need the outlet. Trust me.
So there you have it, 10 tips you need to know as a National Service Personnel. Good luck on this new journey and remember to smell the roses along the way.
P.S: we won’t say don’t date but please advise yourself. Did you come to work or werk? You know the answer. Good luck and enjoy the ride.
