The moment I logged into the NYSC portal to register for the 2024 Batch C Stream 2 session, I knew this phase of my life had to align with the story of excellence and inspiration I had been scripting for myself—long before I even got into university.

I’ve always believed in life by design—that we can shape the kind of life we want if we’re intentional enough. So, I knew I couldn’t leave anything to chance. I carefully started putting the necessary parameters in place to make that story come to life.

I spoke with senior colleagues, career advisors, industry experts, and even friends who had recently passed out from NYSC. Everyone had different advice, but the common thread revolved around the fact that I needed to secure a strategic PPA that aligned with my future goals.

After trying (and failing) to get a request letter from my preferred organisation due to time constraints, I reached out to my good friend, Barakat, who’s currently serving at a tier-1 firm. Her response gave me all the assurance I needed. It felt like, “If you could do all that, this is definitely going to be a walkover for you. Isn’t it you again?”

That was the validation I needed.

I stopped worrying about getting a request letter, especially after learning that one’s class of degree plays a role in the kind of organisation one is attached to. I knew what I had—plus the excellent personal brand I had painstakingly built over the years.

When the NYSC call-up arrived and threw me into the hinterland of Ekiti for camp—even though I was deployed to Lagos—I packed my bags and traveled to Ise-Emure with the same resolve that had brought me this far.

Every day I spent in that camp was shaped by the consciousness that this was just another piece of the puzzle in the story I was scripting. Of course, I participated in camp activities—I even held a leadership position in my platoon—but I never lost sight of the bigger picture.

Just as I had believed, when the posting letters came out, I was posted to the highly prestigious Babalakin & Co. My excitement was through the roof. I remember a friend, a recent law school graduate, reaching out in shock, asking if I had any insider connection because, according to him, they’re one of the top five law firms in Nigeria. And here I was, a psychology graduate.

But just as quickly as the excitement came, reality struck. Babalakin & Co. wasn’t accepting corps members. Their quota for the year was already filled. That rejection stung, I can’t even lie. I remember leaving their office that day, unsure of what to do next. I spent the rest of the day moving from one company to another in VI (uninvited), asking—almost begging—for a request.

Lack of clarity and desperation make us do wild things. Heck, this was my first real taste of job hunting—unprepared and clueless. 😂

Until I visited one organisation and the secretary looked me straight in the eye and said, “See, there’s nothing I can do. Everything here is about connection. Go back home. Go to your church—or your mosque—wherever you worship, and ask your people to connect you.”

Her words hit me like a hard blow. And honestly, she wasn’t entirely wrong. This is Nigeria. I just wish she had been kinder in how she said it. But maybe I needed to hear it that way—to wake up to who I really am and see the value I carried.

That moment made me realise I had been placing too much hope in people. I had asked several people to connect me with firms, but all I got were promises with no results.

I almost gave up on the idea of sending out applications—I mean, what were the chances that a psychology graduate would land a spot in a top tech company? But then I remembered the story of Bibian (From Law to Tech)—how she set out to write 300 job applications and, after almost 120 rejections, finally secured a full-time role as a graduate Data Engineer in one of the UK’s biggest companies.

That story did something to me. I thought to myself, “If she could, why can’t I?”

So, I started strategically searching for reputable organisations in Lagos. I noted five and pitched my brand’s work and worth to them with my CV. Two of them responded within 24 hours, requesting a virtual interview.

Fintech companies.

I had both interviews the next day—1:00 PM to 1:30 PM, and 1:30 PM to 2:00 PM.

One of them reached out about a week later, asking for my State Code to process a request letter to NYSC Lagos Headquarters in Surulere, requesting that I work with them.

That company is SystemSpecs.

Twelve hours later, I was turning down a juicy offer from another company in Surulere because it wouldn’t afford me the freedom and flexibility to pursue my other visions and personal projects.

But wait a minute—now I could turn down offers? It’s interesting how much we can become when we take a bet on ourselves.

Even though I have always wanted the experience of working 9 to 5 in a reputable organisation (I know what difference that would make with what we are building at Proxpert and Crownnygold), I didn’t want it to be full-time; I wanted a hybrid role. And that’s exactly what I got with SystemSpecs. I can’t even begin to state all the other perks I get to enjoy.

A psychology graduate transitioning into tech? Maybe. But I see it as more than that. I see it as proof of what is possible when you take a bet on yourself—even when it makes no sense. I see it as the reward for years of building an excellent brand—the kind of excellence that speaks for you even before you enter the room.

Fun fact: I didn’t originally apply for the Customer Support role. I had actually applied for the HR and Admin internship, but the HR team reached out to inform me that the position had already been filled. However, they were impressed by my CV and offered me the Customer Support role instead.

You already know the lesson here: become too good to be ignored. More importantly, know how to articulate your excellence.

If you are a young person reading this—especially if you are also not a nepo baby like me—please stop waiting for connections that may never come through. What do you have in your hands? Competence. An excellent personal brand. Use them! Never be quiet about how good you are.

I remember in one of the NYSC WhatsApp groups I joined, someone asked if it was possible to get into NNPC, CBN, NPA, ECN, BOI, FIRS, NIMASA, and similar organisations without knowing anyone.

While people confidently gave 1,001 reasons why it was impossible, I kept quiet. Then I saw a comment that caught my attention:

“I believe the only way you can secure this is by your 5.0 CGPA and your 40 days of fasting and prayer and God.”

I smiled.

Like I replied to him that day:

*”Apart from CGPA, what’s your CV like?

Gone are the days when these organisations focused purely on academic performance—they are now very interested in what you’ve done beyond the four walls of your lecture rooms. They want to see your portfolio.

Moreover, no one is debating the place of connections. We all know the system is porous. But there are still people who get in by virtue of their hard work and competence. Level up your skills, volunteer for the right causes, and create brilliant personal projects to solidify your CV.”*

Mind you, this was while I was still hunting. Then two days later, I got the job offer. Proof of what is possible!

This is what happens when you push past self-doubt and keep moving despite closed doors. Don’t inherit other people’s fears and limited mindsets. Don’t self-reject. Also, don’t let rejection stop you from trying again.

Build an excellent brand. Do the hard work. Put yourself out there. When preparation meets opportunity, you won’t have to beg to be seen—your value will speak for itself.

All it takes is one ‘yes’ to make every ‘no’ worthwhile.