#CareerTruth: Meet The 25-Year-Old Who Had Dreams, Dropped Out Of University And Is Still Doing Amazing

A lot of people studied courses that their parents wanted them to study. Some other people didn't get the course they applied for and ended up studying something else. Some people are not practicing what they studied. Are you doing what you planned to do when you were a child? Is your present career better than what you planned to do? Every week we'll be sharing stories of people and their career truth.

This week Ayomide shared his story about how he had plans to study Computer Engineering, went on to study Mathematics, dropped out of school and is doing amazing as a Music Writer and Content Marketing Consultant.

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My name is Olaniyan Ayomide. I'm 25 years old. So, let me give you a little backstory. I'm the only male child in my family and I happen to be the first born, so there's this pressure from my parents and people in my family.

I won't say I'm an extraordinary student but I consider myself a bright student. I was never a serious student but my results were always impressive. This continued till I finished secondary school. I wanted to study Computer Engineering. Not that I was passionate about it or anything. I just felt like it was a good choice of study since people usually gassed me up to be a brainiac. However, I had to settle for Mathematics because I had a D in Chemistry in my WAEC.

University came and things were completely different from what I expected. I had to be the one to wake myself up early to go to class. The lecture theaters were usually so full that breathing was a thing of difficulty. I couldn't cope so I stopped going to classes entirely. I barely even read and deceived myself by going to do overnight reading sometimes. I failed badly, to the point that I was advised to withdraw from school. My anxiety worsened and I battled depression (although I had no idea about mental health, I just knew that I was very sad).

As school wasn't working, I decided to start looking for jobs that I could do, to make up for it. I approached different nightclub managers and secured a job as a promoter. My job was to bring girls (and spenders) to the club. My parents were frustrated. My dad found a way to help me get my admission back but I had lost interest in school at this point. I managed to build a small reputation for myself in the nightlife scene but I wasn't earning much. I usually made about ₦10,000 - ₦15,000/monthly.

Finally, I dropped out of school. My parents were very unhappy with me but there was nothing they could do. I started a blog and was writing satirical stuff. I garnered some audience and people kept pushing me to take writing a little more seriously. I got a few editing gigs and some social media copywriting. Although the pay wasn't impressive. I was passionate about nightlife and the music industry but chale e be no easy. I was constantly broke. My parents continued to chastise me yet they were supportive. After several years struggling to make a solid career in the nightlife scene, I eventually gave up.

I took writing seriously sometime last year. I scoured the internet for tips and advice on how to make a living as a writer. I started writing about music and marketing. Sometimes, I wrote fictional stories. I started getting gigs and my monthly income got to about ₦160,000. It wasn't stable sha. I lost some gigs and it reduced to ₦80,000, then ₦60,000. Towards the end of 2018, I got another job and my income went up to ₦200,000. Currently, I'm working with Notjustok and my monthly income is about ₦300,000. I know it can be better and I'm working towards it.

My name is Ayo, and I'm a Music Writer, Copywriter, and Content Marketing Consultant. I'm planning a career shift; to become a Public Relations Specialist.

Thank you for letting me tell my story!