The Path Amidst a Thousand: The Struggles of Navigating Academia and Career as a Young Adult (Working title)
A book proposal
Introduction
In 2021, after three years in the University, I started my journey towards a BSc all over again. I wish I could say that it was because I found a different ‘calling’. I even wish it was because I couldn’t keep up with the academic demands of Electrical Engineering anymore – at least people understand that. But it wasn’t. The simple truth is that I made a huge mistake in high school when deciding my course and University of study. Now, after six years filled with regrets and painful experiences, I wouldn’t want anyone to go through what I did. It is from this desire that The Path Amidst a Thousand was born.
The book is going to be divided into three parts, indicating its target audiences. The first part will be for high school students. The second will be for their parents or guardians. The last will be addressed to the rest of society, with a focus on schools and educational practitioners who work with high school students or those about to enter University.
It will focus mainly on the Nigerian experience because we live in a country where most young people, parents, and educators are massively misguided on issues about University education and career. They often don’t know where to turn. Most young people don’t even know what career path to take and they desperately need answers. This book will give them insight into the realities of the Nigerian educational system and job market.
I believe that information improves decision-making and that this book will provide sufficient information to expand the perspectives of its readers on University courses to study, the Universities themselves, and the best possible career paths for each young person. The final goal, of course, will be to help them make better choices when the time for deciding eventually comes.
The Premise
The book will begin with the story of my arduous stay at the University. But that will only serve as a relatable introduction. Other stories will follow, especially from students who have been through what I have or worse. The book’s main premise is the prevalence of unfulfilled, unhappy, and regretful University students in Nigeria today. These unhappy University students often study what they do because they were intentionally or inadvertently thrust there by their parents, guardians, or society. A few may have even gotten there by themselves when they made hasty decisions without proper guidance.
The first part of this book will have four chapters. Chapter one (tentatively titled, “Who are you?”) will focus on the young readers; high school students and JAMB aspirants; those in the University; and those who are considering not going to University at all. It will be for those who want to wait a few years before school, and those who want to pursue other ventures first. It will also be for those who have realized quite late that the course they chose to study wasn’t their first, second, or third choice; that it wasn’t their choice at all.
This chapter will make these young readers ask themselves hard questions about who they truly are, what their interests and talents are, how their weaknesses work, where they can go to maximize their strengths, what kind of future they want, and what they believe is their purpose on the planet. It will attempt to isolate their minds from societal, filial, and parental pressure. And bring them face-to-face with their truest selves. This chapter will lay the groundwork for the mental and emotional clarity that is necessary for making future career and academic decisions.
Chapter two (tentatively titled, “The Money Problem”) will address Nigeria’s harsh economic realities and how poverty, fear of it, or just the desire for a better financial standing often pushes people towards certain paths, some mildly life-altering, others utterly regrettable. It will illustrate the extent to which today’s young people are pressured to ‘succeed’ and make money, often by any means necessary. It will provide a brief exposition of the best mindset to have in such a climate. It will also provide a few financial lessons that empower these students to pursue either their education or their dreams – or both.
Chapter three (tentatively titled, “The People Problem”) will consider the opinions of other people on the young reader’s academic or career path. It will begin with their parents or guardians, proceed to their friends, and consider how their teachers, pastors, imams, role models, and the general society have shaped their perception of who or what they can be. It will also heavily scrutinize the popular Nigerian question, “What will people say?”, especially from the perspective of a young person. It will deal heavily with shame and responsibility. Chapter three will also delve into the issue of mentors, how most young people don’t have access to them, and how they could.
Chapter four (tentatively titled, “Who will you be?”) will ask the young person to think carefully about their decision; consider all the factors involved; measure how their choice could shape their future; pre-emptively accept the consequences of whatever they choose; and to work hard at every endeavour.
The last parts of the book do not have defined chapters yet. The second part will focus solely on parents and guardians, and just like the first part, will feature several real-life stories and experiences to properly deliver its message. These stories will be from parents who have had to guide their wards in making academic and career decisions. It will ask parents to consider their motives and intentions while also scrutinizing how their perception of the best academic and career path is often shaped by economic, cultural, religious, and societal expectations. It will show them instances when that may be good or bad for their children. This chapter will prompt parents and guardians to be empathetic towards these young people, to guide them with the best intentions, and to seek more information about careers and academia.
The final part of this book will focus on educators; teachers, schools, and people involved in the drafting of educational curricula. It will also be written for and include some stories by religious leaders, those who have a part to play in influencing young people rightly. This chapter is intended to make them and others see their importance in young people’s lives and draw their attention to what they could be doing differently.
Admittedly, each part could be its own separate book. The nuances of this topic may not be completely exhausted, but it is still necessary for all three parts to converge. More specific and detailed books may follow after this one. But for now, it has to have a wide audience.
There are very few books like this out there. The ones that exist only address young people but without depth. The authors seldom use real experiences because they’ve never lived them. This book will be unique. It will provide essential insight and multiple perspectives on the most important issue: the future of young Nigerians.
Parents and guardians need to understand what young people value and the people they want to be. Young people need to understand that their parents often approach these decisions out of genuine concern even in instances where they may appear forceful or dismissive of their children’s opinions. Educators and other crucial people in society need to understand the role they play in the lives of young people and their perception of their dreams and aspirations.
The Practicalities
I would use both MS Word and Google Docs to make writing with my laptop and phone easy. I will mostly write at home and at night when it’s quiet – when I’m in my most productive state of mind. From time to time, I will ask a friend who’s a reputable editor to look through the chapters with me as I write. But when the book is done, I will get one more editor to review all of it.
This book will have at most 300 pages which translates to approximately 82,500 words. This means that if I designate about 4 weeks for research and write 5000 words a week – which means roughly 715 words a day or 1000 words per weekday – I will finish writing this book in about 21 weeks. If I add 3 weeks for editing, the book will be ready for publishing in exactly 24 weeks.
Publishing
The best way for this book to have a huge impact will be to publish and print it for nationwide sale. That’s one of the only ways it can get to as many young hands as possible. It’s also the best way to get most parents, teachers, lecturers, counselors, and educators to take its content seriously.
I will first go to a publishing company in my hometown, Calabar, one like Ethereal Bliss, and make inquiries on what it takes to get the finished book printed. However, I wouldn’t publish the book immediately. I will write a few posts on Medium and some social media platforms to build more interest in the topic and seek advice from experienced writers on how best to sell the book.
Once the book is published, I will visit my alma mater, where I’m incredibly loved by most of the staff and administrators. I will pitch the book to them, and hopefully, to the students as well. I also have several family friends, aunts, and uncles who are heavily involved in my state’s educational system. With their help, I will get a lot more educators interested in the book too.
Writing this book will be a gradual process. Everything will be done thoroughly; from brainstorming to researching, writing, and publishing. Each process will be executed with careful attention to detail. Everything will be done with complete awareness of the book’s message and the lives it’s trying to change.
