We're open to work
but is work open to us?
What’s up guyyyy?
I woke up this morning, opened LinkedIn for two seconds, and immediately closed it back because why is everybody suddenly employed except me? I even saw someone writing “I’m thrilled to announce…”
Wo, the only thing I’m thrilled to announce is that NEPA brought light before my laptop went off.
It’s like even work is looking for work o
Let’s break down the many dimensions of this “Open to Work” lifestyle we’re all living:
1. That App That Makes You Feel Jobless for No Reason
Every day on that LinkedIn, somebody is 20 and already “Head of Strategy,”
Meanwhile I’m here struggling to strategize how my gas would last till end of the month.
You’ll see captions like:
“Grateful for growth. Grateful for my team. Open to new challenges.”
“So excited to start my journey at Google.”
Me too, I’m excited when that FAN MILK driver on campus brings change quickly.
Different excitement. Same country. 🙂
2. Being Jobless Has Categories, Please
There are 4 categories:
Level 1: Soft Life Applicants
CV is:
“Interned at my uncle’s company.”
“Fluent in English & vibes.”
They don’t stress. They don’t hustle.
Work is already open to them from birth.
Level 2: Try-Your-Luck Applicants
These ones are applying on LinkedIn, Indeed, WhatsApp status, TikTok comments, church bulletin, everywhere.
If work doesn’t open, they will break the window.
Level 3: Tech Converts
They started UI/UX last week and already put “Product Designer” on their bio.
Portfolio? Loading.
Skill? Loading.
Confidence? 100%.
Level 4: Survival Mode Applicants
These ones are not open to work, they are open to ANYTHING that will pay N25k and above.
3. We’re All Learning Tech But Does Tech Know Us?
Everybody is doing Data Analysis, Product Design, Software Engineering.
Even people who can’t update WhatsApp.
One guy said he’s learning cloud computing.
But this same guy doesn’t know how to save a file to his own phone.
Cloud, sha.
4. Why Are Employers Asking for Experience I Don’t Even Have in Real Life?
You’ll see:
“Entry-level role: 5 years experience, NYSC certificate, PhD optional, must know how to code, design, cook, manage stress, and resurrect the dead.”
Entry-level where??
5 years experience from when?
The womb?
5. Your Mates Are Getting Jobs, you're sleeping
Your mate posts:
“Just got a role at a global company.”
Your mother sees it and suddenly starts asking,
“Have you updated your CV?”
“What are your plans?”
“Is it that your friend is better than you?”
Me: I just woke up nau 😭
6. Hustle Culture Has All of Us in a Chokehold
We’re attending webinars, watching YouTube tutorials, joining 5 communities, downloading 100 ebooks we’ll never open.
We’re burnt out, but we keep saying “I’m good” because adulthood is wicked.
Even sleep is starting to look like a luxury.
7. We’re All Just Trying Not to Be Broke
Forget English.
Forget branding.
Forget “career journey.”
Let’s be honest:
Many of us are learning tech and a bunch of other skills, applying for jobs, attending workshops, posting “Open to Work” …because poverty is chasing us like a tax collector.
We don’t want to suffer.
We don’t want to “manage.”
We want AC. Soft life. Jollof that has chicken. Rice not cooked with sachet water.
Simple desires.
Final message (because we’re all pretending to be adults):
Is Work open to us?
Sometimes yes, Sometimes no.
Sometimes work blocks us like we offended it in a past life.
At the end of the day, we’re just students trying to arrange our destiny before destiny arranges us.
Work may not be open yet, but one thing is sure:
We won’t die poor.
Worst case? we become influencers 💀 One day the work will open and when it does, we’ll enter with full confidence and plenty experience.
So stay hustling, stay safe, hydrated(if you want) and keep looking for work cos we must amass this generational wealth!
Till next gist,
Gbemi from 10.8.8 Africa✨
At this rate, being an influencer sure pass for me, because apart from my life choices, wetin again I dey influence?