Skills are very sustainable, they can provide a source of income for a long time. Most students, when they were children, dreamed of working in big establishments related to the courses they studied in school. Such dreams are very much possible in countries where the livelihood and welfare of citizens are well supported by the system. In some parts of the world, students receive financial support during their education, and there are systems that help graduates find employment immediately after school.
Unfortunately, when such support systems are not available in ones country, the people have to find ways to survive on their own. They may take up part-time jobs, temporary work, or even engage in menial jobs to meet their needs. Some eventually choose to learn a practical skill.
In regards to the topic being discussed, I believe learning a skill is one of the best forms of self-empowerment. A skill can be sustainable and useful for a lifetime. When someone has a skill and encounters an opportunity, that skill can grow into something bigger and even become a successful business.
Some people may become discouraged from learning a particular skill because they believe too many people are already doing it. They may ask, “Will I really thrive if I learn this skill when so many people are already doing it?” The truth is that, regardless of the number of people involved in a particular skill, there will always be people who need the services provided by that skill. You can only serve those people when you know what you are doing.
Unlike a part-time job that may end when the employer no longer needs you, a skill is something you can fall back on when there is no other source of income. It can become a personal means of survival.
I experienced this myself while I was still in school. During my sign-out, I wanted to look my best. I wanted to get a baggy jean, a white shirt, shoes, have my hair done, and so on. In fact, my list kept growing. But when I calculated the money I had, I knew it would not be enough to get everything I wanted. In the middle of my calculations, I remembered something: I was a tailor. I could sew. I decided to make most of the things I needed myself. I bought the materials and did the rest. Everything I wore during my sign-out week was sewn by me. This significantly reduced my expenses and also reminded me of the value of having a practical skill.
Thanksgiving Sunday
Signout day
Akara day.
A skill, when properly developed and practised, can put food on one's table. Looking at the business world today, many businesses that have grown successfully started with someone who knew how to do something and decided to turn that ability into a source of income. Some people even choose to further develop their skills after school because they discover that there is a lot of financial opportunity in them.
Irrespective of these facts, I will never support the slogan, “Education is a scam.” Education provides the foundation of knowledge. It improves our ability to communicate, think critically, understand information, and make informed decisions. These qualities can also help us develop and grow whatever skill we possess.
Skill is beautiful when you have the opportunity to learn one. And it does not have to be a manual skill alone. Digital skills, creative skills, technical skills, and other forms ohhf expertise can also create opportunities.
Even in white-collar jobs, what ultimately matters is what a person can offer. Generall, empowering yourself with a practical skill whether manual or digital, can give you something valuable to fall back on and can help you cater to your needs. Education gives us knowledge, while a skill gives you something you can practically offer.
All Images are mine!!
