So, you’ve finally japa’d—passport stamped, fresh air of freedom inhaled, and dreams of a better life playing in your head like a Nollywood happy ending. You pictured yourself thriving, cashing out in foreign currency, and flexing your degrees like a LinkedIn influencer.

But then… reality enters the chat.

Turns out, Europe didn’t get the memo about your BSc, MSc, PhD, or ‘I’m-too-qualified-for-this’ energy. The job market? Oh, it’s got jokes. Instead of rolling out the red carpet, it hands you a mop and says:

“Oga, start from somewhere.”

Just like that, your corporate dreams hit pause, and you find yourself navigating a job market that couldn’t care less about your first-class honors. I’ve seen doctors trading stethoscopes for mop handles, bankers balancing shelves instead of spreadsheets, engineers engineering the perfect way to stack boxes, and lawyers arguing with vacuum cleaners.

Japa will humble you—think of it as an unpaid internship, but with extra cardio.

But here’s the twist—every shift, every sore muscle, every “What am I doing here?” moment is just another chapter in your glow-up story. It’s called character development, with a sprinkle of survival mode.

Welcome to the “Jobs You Never Thought You’d Do” Starter Pack.

1. Care Jobs – A Crash Course in Humility

Forget white coats and stethoscopes—here, it’s all about gloves and patience. Taking care of the elderly? You’ll be meeting poop, up close and personal. If you thought Grey’s Anatomy was intense, welcome to Grey’s Reality.

2. Warehouse Hustle – Where Muscles Meet Minimum Wage

Lifting heavy boxes like your life depends on it—because, well, your rent kinda does. Bonus challenge? Working in cold storage during winter. If you ever wanted to know what it feels like to be an ice block, congratulations.

3. Delivery Driver – Paid Cardio & Dog Whispering 101

You’ll become a human GPS, knowing every street, shortcut, and roundabout like the back of your hand. The best part? Every dog in the neighborhood will know you too. And in winter? Yeah, your tears might freeze before they hit your cheeks.

4. Cleaning Service – The Ultimate Reality Check

Remember that office cleaner back home you barely noticed? Now you’ll appreciate them like a long-lost cousin. And spoiler alert: toilets don’t clean themselves.

5. Housekeeping – Making Your Bed? Child’s Play.

Try flipping 15 hotel rooms in one shift. Guests leave surprises too—some pleasant, most… not so much.

6. Replenishment Assistant – Retail, but Make It Painful

Like a warehouse gig, but with a retail twist. Less heavy lifting, more standing. For hours. And hours. Your feet? They’ll file for divorce.

The Silver Lining?

Every job is a stepping stone. You’re stacking experiences, not just shelves. One day, you’ll look back at these struggles and laugh—probably in a high-paying job, sipping something expensive.

So chin up, sleeves up, and hustle on. It’s not where you start, but where you’re headed.

Tag your japa squad and share this with someone who needs a reality check before they pack their bags!