MY EXPERIENCE AS A BUS CONDUCTOR
"Geology in the bus" they laughed.
After 4 years you're practicing Geology inside the bus.
Well, I didn't give a blink about them, I issued out the ticket, got my money, and moved to the next client.
Yes, the bus was footing my bills besides if I handed over the money that I made from the bus to them they'll not reject it because it's from the bus.
So, I asked him
"If I give you the money 💵 that I make from here will you reject it because it is from the bus?"
I did not bother waiting for their response before moving the next passenger to issue the ticket.
This was the response that I gave to one of the graduate assistants in my department who joined the metro blue I was serving as a ticketing officer in the Oban route years back.
Well
Don't be surprised by the fact that I worked as a conductor inside a bus...🤣🤣🤣ticketing officer rather.
I grew up with an independent mindset. Even though I had parents who were capable of catering to my needs, I wasn't fascinated by that, I felt better with generating income for myself.
As a child, I was engaged in petty trade at home from selling orange to recharge cards and serving in a cafe after secondary school. You know the feeling that comes with being aware that you have money called "my money."
I developed financial intelligence and business management skills earlier because of my exposure to different work platforms.
After my University education, a friend offered me an opportunity in a transportation company in Calabar, the day I arrived for my interview, I was told I'll serve as a ticketing officer for metro blue.
Within me, I felt I'll be issuing the ticket in the office. To my amazement, I wasn't going to work from the office but in the field.
Well, the shame of having to beg people for recharge cards and urgent 2000 outweigh the shame of having to issue my tickets with pride inside the bus.
I accepted the job offer.
Staying at home was very far from my dictionary.
This will go a long way in paying my bills while looking out for other opportunities.
Serving as a bus conductor was an experience for me.
Today is Thursday, 🤔 would have been at Creek Town to help the women convey their foofoo to the beach marketing Calabar 🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣
This was always our big market day though, we made extra bucks for loading.
(Creek Town and Ikang route was in high demand by the attendance. If you're been assigned to creek town within the week you'll be smiling because of the extra income we'll make from charging for load carried by the market women)
Working there had exposed me to people from different works of life and this has helped me cope with anyone.
Why did I share this story?
Don't be satisfied with depending on people. There's a limit to which others will hold your hand through your life journey. Develop a sense of responsibility for yourself.
There is a feeling of satisfaction and self-awareness that comes with knowing that you can generate your income. It will give you a sense of value for yourself.
Whatever, you're doing as far as it is legitimate, do it with pride. Dignify your office.
It will be difficult for you to celebrate your big win when you didn't cultivate the habit of valuing the small ones that came your way.
By the time the big win comes, you must have ended up soaking yourself with bitterness which may block you from valuing what is in your hand.
Go about your job or business unapologetically, the truth is, you're deceiving yourself by not getting yourself involved for fear of what people say when these people in the order hand are wondering why you're idle and may not share with you for fear of your reaction.
The graduate assistant for whatever reason wanted to make me feel bad about my job but on second thought, will he foot my bills?
While waiting for your dream job, start somewhere. Fulfilling certain job roles is not about the income that you'll generate, most often the experience you'll gain from it.
Having to work as an attendance exposed me to a different class of people. I learned patience and how to press ignore button towards people. This has helped me get on with people.
Did, I tell you? I was the only ticketing officer from Akwa Ibom amid Cross Riverians ( you can imagine how I coped with them)
Be diligent at your discharge of duty. I could survive there because of diligence. At a point where my company was about to take over the management of Mariner Resort, in Calabar, I was privileged to be selected among the staff to work there.
Honour and promotion will eventually come but when it comes will you be found worthy of it?
Think about this 🤔
Serve joyfully
Serve with pride
Serve with a sense of purpose
Serve with the big picture in mind.
Serve with gladness
©Anietie Kingsley Umoh
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