Extrastiv

Content Engineer & Marketer | Building @FJZ_247 | Worked with growth-focused brand like @GammsApp @clevabanking @StoripodApp | Storyteller @ #CreatorsDiary

[Extrastiv @YomiSteve_]

After 4 years of looking for a job, I went back to university for my master's degree.

On this episode of Creators’ Diary is Boluwatife, a 31 year old Botany graduate who currently earns ₦100,000/month as a social media manager for a small restaurant in Abuja.

Her journey to this point hasn’t been easy. All thanks to her mom's prayer and the protection of her deceased father.

For four years after graduation, Boluwatife struggled to find a decent job. She believes her degree was one of the major barriers. According to her, whenever some employers discovered she had studied Botany, they lost interest in her application or stopped responding.

She once attended an interview at a major organisation, only to be told that her course of study was the problem. They wanted someone with a degree related to the job.

Even family members she hoped could help her get a job were not encouraging. She would send her CV to them on WhatsApp, hoping for a referral, but the feedback she received was often negative.

At some point, a distant uncle advised her to return to university to study Nursing because, in his opinion, she would struggle to get a good job with a Botany degree. Alternatively, he suggested pursuing a master's degree to improve her chances.

After thinking about it for months, she decided to return to university for her master's degree.

But something else happened while she was at home with her parents.

One of her friends introduced her to social media management. She started learning online, practising her skills, and pitching brands on Instagram. She was trying to build something for herself while figuring out what the future held.

3 months into her master's programme, she landed her first social media management gig.

After four years of searching for a job, she had finally found another way to earn.

Today, Boluwatife is almost done with her master's programme. She earns ₦100,000/month managing social media for a small restaurant in Abuja. She has also been able to save some money and start a small business on campus.

She is not where she wants to be yet, but she is making progress.

During our conversation, she asked me not to hesitate to share any available opportunities with her. I introduced her to Freelance Job Zone @FJZ_247, and she has since been getting interview opportunities. Hopefully, one of them brings the good news she's been waiting for.

But what touched me most was how she ended our conversation.

She gave a big shout-out to her mother for being her backbone throughout this journey.

As an only child who lost her father, having that kind of support means a lot. Sometimes, when life keeps testing your patience, having just one person who continues to believe in you can make a difference.

My key takeaways from the story.

1. Don't let one career path become your only option.

She spent 4 years looking for a job related to her qualifications. Eventually, she explored social media management, learned a new skill, and found a way to earn.

Your degree is valuable, but it doesn't have to be the only thing you can offer the world. Explore other skills and career paths that interest you. You might discover opportunities you never considered.

2. Your current situation doesn't have to be your final destination.

At 31, Boluwatife is still working towards the life she wants. Her story is a reminder that progress doesn't always look the way we imagined it would.

You don't have to have everything figured out today. Just don't stop looking for ways to move forward.

[Extrastiv @YomiSteve_]

@chisom_nwankire Na now you know?😂

[Tosin Olugbenga @TosinOlugbenga]

Your entire mailing list doesn’t need the same message.

Someone who just subscribed may need an introduction. A customer who’s been with you for months might need a different update.

Sendly supports contact segmentation and automated email workflows, helping businesses organise their audiences and plan relevant follow-ups.

Better communication starts with knowing who you’re talking to.

Explore: https://t.co/wfasjMqSLc

[Extrastiv @YomiSteve_]

LinkedIn works like m@d.

[Cynthia Ozumba @CynthiaOzumba]

People keep saying LinkedIn doesn't work, but recruiters still reach out to me. maybe it's not the platform. maybe it's how you're using it!

[Technical Ben @TechnicalBben]

If Upwork isn't generating results for you, maybe it's time to pivot to LinkedIn or other platforms. Here's why.

People will tell you it's a skill issue. But what if you've got the skills and you're just struggling to land your first client?

You're spending money on connects, sending proposals, and getting little or nothing in return. At some point, you need to change your strategy.

Here's what I'd do differently.

Go to LinkedIn. Find opportunities. Connect with potential clients. Pitch your services. Get the job first, then bring that client to Upwork to handle the contract.

And instead of buying reviews, find someone who genuinely needs your service. Do a small job for them, even if it's just $20. Deliver great work, earn an honest review, and build from there.

That's literally what I did.

I couldn't crack Upwork, so I stopped focusing on it and went out to find a client elsewhere. I found one, brought them to Upwork, and boom. That changed everything for me.

Sometimes, the problem isn't your skill. It's where you're looking for opportunities.

Stop putting all your eggs in one basket. Find the opportunity first, then use it to build your profile.

That's how I'd approach Upwork if I were starting again.

[Extrastiv @YomiSteve_]

@EbukaTBH Myself

[Extrastiv @YomiSteve_]

@miracleadishi A lot of conspiracy theories flying around already

[Extrastiv @YomiSteve_]

Wait.

Ebola is really back?

[Extrastiv @YomiSteve_]

@IkonoCatherine Congratulations to me

[Extrastiv @YomiSteve_]

@omoalhajaabiola I still dey first half boss

[Extrastiv @YomiSteve_]

@Lammie_Art01 Amen. And you too.

Happy weekend Lammie.

[Extrastiv @YomiSteve_]

@chisom_nwankire Happy weekend Chisom.

[Extrastiv @YomiSteve_]

Your university degree is valuable, but it doesn't have to be the only thing you can offer the world. Explore other skills and career paths that interest you. You might discover opportunities you never considered. Good morning.

[Extrastiv @YomiSteve_]

@iksly2 Thank God it's Friday.

Prayer and fasting

[Extrastiv @YomiSteve_]

Do you have a story worth telling?

Creators' Diary is a series about the real people behind the careers, businesses, and creative work we see every day.

I'm interested in the struggles, the setbacks, the unexpected turns, the lessons, and the little wins that rarely make it into the final success story.

If you're a creative, freelancer, entrepreneur, or professional with a story to share, send it to me. I'd love to tell your story.

If you'd like to be tagged when your story is published, let me know in the DM.

Because sometimes, the story someone needs to hear is the one you've been living.

[Extrastiv @YomiSteve_]

After 4 years of looking for a job, I went back to university for my master's degree.

On this episode of Creators’ Diary is Boluwatife, a 31 year old Botany graduate who currently earns ₦100,000/month as a social media manager for a small restaurant in Abuja.

Her journey to this point hasn’t been easy. All thanks to her mom's prayer and the protection of her deceased father.

For four years after graduation, Boluwatife struggled to find a decent job. She believes her degree was one of the major barriers. According to her, whenever some employers discovered she had studied Botany, they lost interest in her application or stopped responding.

She once attended an interview at a major organisation, only to be told that her course of study was the problem. They wanted someone with a degree related to the job.

Even family members she hoped could help her get a job were not encouraging. She would send her CV to them on WhatsApp, hoping for a referral, but the feedback she received was often negative.

At some point, a distant uncle advised her to return to university to study Nursing because, in his opinion, she would struggle to get a good job with a Botany degree. Alternatively, he suggested pursuing a master's degree to improve her chances.

After thinking about it for months, she decided to return to university for her master's degree.

But something else happened while she was at home with her parents.

One of her friends introduced her to social media management. She started learning online, practising her skills, and pitching brands on Instagram. She was trying to build something for herself while figuring out what the future held.

3 months into her master's programme, she landed her first social media management gig.

After four years of searching for a job, she had finally found another way to earn.

Today, Boluwatife is almost done with her master's programme. She earns ₦100,000/month managing social media for a small restaurant in Abuja. She has also been able to save some money and start a small business on campus.

She is not where she wants to be yet, but she is making progress.

During our conversation, she asked me not to hesitate to share any available opportunities with her. I introduced her to Freelance Job Zone @FJZ_247, and she has since been getting interview opportunities. Hopefully, one of them brings the good news she's been waiting for.

But what touched me most was how she ended our conversation.

She gave a big shout-out to her mother for being her backbone throughout this journey.

As an only child who lost her father, having that kind of support means a lot. Sometimes, when life keeps testing your patience, having just one person who continues to believe in you can make a difference.

My key takeaways from the story.

1. Don't let one career path become your only option.

She spent 4 years looking for a job related to her qualifications. Eventually, she explored social media management, learned a new skill, and found a way to earn.

Your degree is valuable, but it doesn't have to be the only thing you can offer the world. Explore other skills and career paths that interest you. You might discover opportunities you never considered.

2. Your current situation doesn't have to be your final destination.

At 31, Boluwatife is still working towards the life she wants. Her story is a reminder that progress doesn't always look the way we imagined it would.

You don't have to have everything figured out today. Just don't stop looking for ways to move forward.

[Extrastiv @YomiSteve_]

@bigdolaaaa All I see in the comments is bots replying

[Extrastiv @YomiSteve_]

@ziecity Both depending on the parties involved.

[Extrastiv @YomiSteve_]

@egbokavictory_ @StephanieInii I super glue for here

[Extrastiv @YomiSteve_]

@Ayomide__koya Do your best and leave the rest for God.

[Extrastiv @YomiSteve_]

@the_smallie Yes. Only HIM can do it.

[Extrastiv @YomiSteve_]

@honeyhauwa The Muslim community should not see this post o👀