Reliving I embarked on my mandatory National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) journey at the American University of Nigeria (AUN) from November 2023 to October 2024.
Upon my arrival on campus, the Marketing and Communications Department accepted me and assigned me to work. There I have gained invaluable experience in areas like news reporting and writing, approaches to conducting interviews, writing engaging articles for publication, photography, and photojournalism. I have also developed my skills in capturing compelling images and telling stories through photographs. Another gained experience I am so excited about is videography and video editing. The quality of the videos, edited footage, and engaging content I have worked on individually is astounding. Professional editing software has also been a new experience for me. The humility of the AUN personnel I met there struck me.
Another highlight of my AUN experience is the numerous benefits and services available to NYSC members, such as free Wi-Fi, access to staff meetings, free transport, air-conditioned accommodation, and above all, the state-of-the-art 24-hour library, which has been my second home. I have spent countless hours honing my research skills, writing articles, and editing content. I have also had the privilege of attending Academic Impressions courses sponsored by AUN, staff workshops, and community service outreaches. I remember having the opportunity to be in President DeWayne Frazier's entourage when he visited a nearby community school, where he sponsored hundreds of schoolchildren with school fees and uniforms.
The empathy and concern for the development of the host community are well-known. That experience stirred my thoughts; if every leader had been this concerned, Nigeria would have been a better place. That remarkable experience broadened my mind and shaped my understanding and perception of life.
I've also gained firsthand experience in content creation. I have developed my writing and editing skills, creating engaging content for various social media platforms and other writing formats. The zero error margin of AUN has compelled me to proofread as many times as I could to avoid small but embarrassing errors and pay attention to detail, ensuring error-free content for publication. Most importantly, another takeaway for me is the administration, workplace etiquette, professionalism in emailing tone during official and personal communication, and teamwork in a fast-paced office environment.
Working alongside talented individuals has broadened my perspectives as I try to contribute my skills to make a positive impact. AUN's inclusive culture also allows corp members to attend events and dinners, making me feel part of the community.
I remain indebted to the Vice President of Administration, Mr. Daniel Okereke, for his guidance; Mr. Yusuf Mohammed, for his leadership; and Mr. Noel Sashi, for his mentorship and the entire team. I am confident that these experiences will contribute significantly to my CV, paving the way for new opportunities and challenges in the future. I encourage fellow young Nigerian graduates to make the most of their service years and explore the various opportunities available at AUN. This proves that the American University of Nigeria is Nigeria's best university.
David Luka Alhassan, NYSC Corps member