Ah-ah, what do you really do for a living?”
Enomfon’s face scrunched in confusion as she flipped through my second CV like it was a plot twist in a Nollywood thriller.
“I thought you were a trained professional chef?” she asked, visibly baffled.
Being one of my closest friends, Enomfon always loved hanging out. And I love to hangout with her too. She just loved being around. Gisting, eating, dissecting life like it’s a JAMB question.
But today? Omo, I didn’t have the luxury. I was already mentally clocked into my second job. I had deadlines waiting, and this very nice apartment I live in (with the good lighting and semi-functional inverter) wasn’t going to pay for itself.
Passion is great, but Lagos rent is not your mate.
I smiled and patted her arm gently. I left her sitting in my living room, still trying to connect the dots, while I headed off to my second job as a Research Assistant.
Yes, I’m that person. The one with multiple tabs open. Both in my browser and in real life.
Once Upon a Time, You Could Just Be One Thing
There was a time when being known for just one thing was the goal. You’d pick a career path, stick with it, and rise through the ranks until you had a shiny plaque on your desk and a retirement plan to match. You could proudly say, “I’m an accountant” or “I’m a lawyer,” and everyone would nod in reverence. Simple. Clean. Respectable.
Let’s be honest. Life isn’t linear anymore. Especially not in this economy. The cost of living is literally killing the living. Even your go-to comfort food, I mean Indomie that we could all once afford, now comes with luxury tax vibes.
No more “cheap and cheerful,” just “costly and confusing.” How are you supposed to survive, let alone thrive, when your wallet starts wheezing every time you step into the supermarket?
If you’re not earning enough, even boiling water starts to feel like a financial decision.
Now? People are moving beyond the traditional 9-to-5 faster than NEPA takes light during a thunderstorm. Freelance gigs, remote work, passion projects, online side hustles. Everybody is trying to piece together a career portfolio that makes sense and money.
Because Passion Won’t Pay NEPA Bill
Gone are the days when passion alone was enough. These days, by the third week of the month, you’ll quickly realize that your bank account isn’t vibing with your dreams anymore. That’s when you start asking yourself real questions like: “What else can I do with my skills?” or “Should I start a YouTube channel too?”
Survival in this economy has become a full-blown contact sport. No rules, no referee, just vibes and debit alerts. If you don’t diversify your income streams, best believe adulting will diversify you.
One day you’re chilling, thinking you have money, next thing, boom! An unexpected expense jumps you like it’s playing for Super Eagles.
Generator needs fuel, your phone screen cracks mysteriously, and your cousin’s wedding asoebi is suddenly your financial problem. That’s why people are juggling tech jobs, selling thrift on IG, running food deliveries, and learning forex. All before lunch. It’s not even about doing the most anymore. It’s about doing enough not to cry when the POS says “transaction failed.”
And so, career professionals are adapting. And they are doing it fast. They’re becoming multi-hyphenates: chef-researchers, banker-podcasters, developer-DJs, lawyer-content creators. We’re out here collecting in-demand skills like Thanos collects Infinity Stones. Only ours are things like project management, social media strategy, and digital marketing.
Thriving, Not Just Surviving
But here’s the beautiful twist: it’s not just about surviving anymore. It’s about thriving. We want financial security and flexibility. We want careers that not only pay the bills but allow us to explore, express, and evolve.
So while our parents might struggle to understand how we can be graphic designers and run thrift stores on Instagram, we know exactly what we’re doing. We’re building lives that are rich in opportunity. Even if they’re a bit chaotic on paper.
In Conclusion, Welcome to the Era of the Multi-Everything
So the next time someone looks at your LinkedIn profile and says, “But wait… didn’t you study microbiology?” smile, pat their arm, and go to your next gig in peace.
Because in this new world of work, we’re all wearing multiple hats, and sometimes, even wigs. And that’s okay.
After all, the goal isn’t just to survive. It’s to live well, love what you do, and maybe, just maybe, retire early enough to enjoy your jollof without stress.
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