Hey there! Thinking about life after uni can be scary, right? But don't worry, we've got your back! Let's talk about how to build skills that'll make employers send you offers once you graduate.

What Are These "Marketable Skills" Everyone's Talking About?

Okay, so "marketable skills" are basically the things you can do that make employers go, "Wow, we need this person on our team!" They usually fall into three categories:

• Hard Skills: The technical stuff you learn in class or through practice (like coding, data analysis, or graphic design).

• Soft Skills: The people skills that make you great to work with (think communication, leadership, or being able to adapt quickly).

• Transferable Skills: These are the jack-of-all-trades skills that are useful pretty much anywhere (problem-solving, project management, you get the idea).

How to level up your skill while still in uni

Make Your Coursework Work for You

• Choose electives that'll actually help you in your future career.

• When you've got group projects, take them seriously! They're like a mini work experience.

• If your lecturer mentions research opportunities, jump on them! It's great for your brain and your CV.

Internships and Part-Time Jobs Are Your Best Friends

• Apply what you're learning in class to real-life situations.

• Learn how to act in a professional setting (no more showing up to class in your PJs! 😅).

• Start building your network. You never know, your internship supervisor might be your future boss!

Get Involved Outside the Classroom

• Join student organizations and aim for leadership positions.

• Volunteer in your community. It feels good and looks good on your CV!

• Organize events. Trust me, planning skills will come in handy later.

Boost Your CV with Extra Certifications

• Look into professional certifications in your field.

• Check out online courses on platforms like Coursera or edX.

• If you're into tech, consider a coding bootcamp.

Get Tech-Savvy

• Learn some basic coding. Even if you're not in tech, it's impressive.

• Master the basics like Microsoft Office or Google Workspace.

• Get the lowdown on digital marketing. It's useful in pretty much every industry these days.

Work on Your Communication Game

• Practice public speaking. Join a debate club or start a YouTube channel!

• Improve your writing. Maybe start a blog about your uni experiences?

• Learn another language. French or Chinese could open doors across Africa and beyond!

Think Like an Entrepreneur

• Start a small side hustle. Even if it's just selling snacks in your hostel, it counts!

• Enter business competitions. Many unis host them, and the prizes can be sweet.

Keep Growing and Learning

• Ask for feedback and actually listen to it.

• Stay updated on what's happening in your industry.

• When things get tough, don't give up. That's where the real learning happens!

Show Off Your Skills (In a Good Way)

• Create a killer CV that highlights your experiences.

• Build an online portfolio to showcase your work.

• Make your LinkedIn profile shine.

• Practice talking about your skills. You'll need this for interviews!

Bridge the Gap Between What You Have and What They Want

• Chat with people already working in your dream job.

• Look at job ads to see what skills are in demand.

• Find a mentor who can guide you on what skills to focus on.

Remember, building these skills while you're still in uni is like giving yourself a head start in the race to land your dream job. By mixing what you learn in class with real-world experiences and constantly updating your skills, you'll be ready to take on whatever the job market throws at you. So, go out there and start building those skills! Your future self will thank you. And who knows? You might even have fun along the way!