Dear Graduate: Don’t Just Rely on Your Certificate.

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Graduating from school is a major milestone. It usually comes with a lot of excitement and relief. After years of studying, writing exams, submitting assignments, and attending lectures, a student would finally get the chance to breathe. But then once that excitement fades and they get into the world, the next big question would be: “What’s next?”

Most times, the next step for most people is to start looking for a job. That’s what society has always taught us—go to school, graduate, and get a job. So it’s not surprising that many people immediately start applying for jobs after finishing school, with their certificates in hand, hoping for an opportunity.

But as we all know, jobs aren’t easy to come by. The market is already saturated, and many graduates are still job-hunting even years after completing their education. Some of them keep pushing, while others get tired and end up staying at home doing nothing. That’s the reality many young people face today.

And this is why I strongly believe that one of the best pieces of advice anyone can give a graduate or anyone leaving school is this: don’t depend on your certificate alone—make sure you learn a skill.

In fact, if possible, learn more than one.

We’re in a world where certificates alone don’t always guarantee success. But when you have a skill—something practical you can do with your hands or your mind—you’re no longer limited. You don’t have to sit and wait endlessly for a job. You can create your own opportunity.

There are so many skills out there to explore. If you’re interested in digital work, you can learn:

Web design

Graphic design

Video editing

Social media management

Content creation

If you’re more hands-on, you can learn:

Tailoring

Hairdressing

Wig making

Baking

Shoemaking

Skincare or soap production

The amazing thing is that many of these skills can actually pay more than traditional office jobs. I have a family member who is a web designer and his also into shoemaking. In fact, he has a platform he created to advertise his business, and he is making a lot of money for himself as well as his family. In the same way, I have also seen people who started with little and are now running successful businesses just because they picked up a skill and stayed consistent.

So yes,i would say celebrate your graduation—it's a huge achievement. But don’t just stop there. While you’re applying for jobs, use your time wisely. Take online courses, learn from others, practice, and improve yourself. Whether a job comes or not, your skill will always be useful, and you would still have the chance to earn something for yourself

At the end of the day, I believe that this mindset shift—from only chasing certificates to building skills—is what will set many young people apart in today’s world.

Thanks for reading.