Why I dropped my pride as a lawyer, embraced taxi driving —Barr. Voke
Ms.Voke Ejenavi was very enthusiastic after she qualified as a lawyer. Her passion for knowledge motivated her into applying for her master’s degree almost immediately. Just like many Nigerians, getting a job after graduation was not all smooth sailing. She applied to different companies all to no avail.
Making the decision
Determined to make something out of her situation, she took one of the most difficult decisions for any young woman at that time, which is becoming a taxi driver, a rare profession for women in this part of the world. Operating as a taxi driver under an online transport company called Taxify in Lagos not only made her popular but took her to all the nooks and crannies of Lagos.
Getting famous
Few months into the business, Voke became popular and the choice for most customers of the company. Today, Voke who could not secure a job after her master’s degree programme now works with a multinational company, courtesy of her decision to become a taxi driver some years back. Sharing her experience with Vanguard Woman’s Own, Voke who was the only child of her parents said: “It was a difficult decision for my parents to allow me to live in Lagos and when they learnt of my decision to drive a taxi they were not in support at the beginning.”
Searching for job
Voke explained that when she first arrived Lagos, she spent most of her time applying for jobs online with no good news.”My parents reside in Delta State, but I decided to try my luck in Lagos. I have fantastic friends here in Lagos that allows me to stay with them but while they go to work, I will be busy online searching and applying for jobs with no favourable response.
“I was not comfortable that my friends would leave me at home and still come back to meet me on the same spot. One day, while I was browsing through the internet I came across Taxify Transportation Network Company that offers opportunity for driving. I asked my parents to send me a car since I need something I could do that will take me out of the house in the morning and also offers opportunities to meet people since the online application was not working.
First day as a driver
Voke said her first day steering on the wheel was a day she could never forget and the opportunity it gave her to meet people who later recommended her for the new job. “On my first day, I was like, how will I address this person, did I lock the door properly. Also, I didn’t allow the fact that I didn’t know Lagos very well discourage me because there is an application that enables you to use Google map to find your way.
Customer experience
While driving, I paid special attention to my customers and tried to make their journey lively. For those that are interactive we chat while for some we just face business. For people that drive around Lagos, they have the experience that it was not easy. At the beginning people were surprised that a lady is driving a taxi, but at the end of the journey they usually commend me.” She disclosed that the good thing about Taxify driving platform was that it gave her liberty to do what she liked and when she finally got a job and the salary was too small she still combined both.
via: vanguardngr
Making the decision
Determined to make something out of her situation, she took one of the most difficult decisions for any young woman at that time, which is becoming a taxi driver, a rare profession for women in this part of the world. Operating as a taxi driver under an online transport company called Taxify in Lagos not only made her popular but took her to all the nooks and crannies of Lagos.
Getting famous
Few months into the business, Voke became popular and the choice for most customers of the company. Today, Voke who could not secure a job after her master’s degree programme now works with a multinational company, courtesy of her decision to become a taxi driver some years back. Sharing her experience with Vanguard Woman’s Own, Voke who was the only child of her parents said: “It was a difficult decision for my parents to allow me to live in Lagos and when they learnt of my decision to drive a taxi they were not in support at the beginning.”
Searching for job
Voke explained that when she first arrived Lagos, she spent most of her time applying for jobs online with no good news.”My parents reside in Delta State, but I decided to try my luck in Lagos. I have fantastic friends here in Lagos that allows me to stay with them but while they go to work, I will be busy online searching and applying for jobs with no favourable response.
“I was not comfortable that my friends would leave me at home and still come back to meet me on the same spot. One day, while I was browsing through the internet I came across Taxify Transportation Network Company that offers opportunity for driving. I asked my parents to send me a car since I need something I could do that will take me out of the house in the morning and also offers opportunities to meet people since the online application was not working.
First day as a driver
Voke said her first day steering on the wheel was a day she could never forget and the opportunity it gave her to meet people who later recommended her for the new job. “On my first day, I was like, how will I address this person, did I lock the door properly. Also, I didn’t allow the fact that I didn’t know Lagos very well discourage me because there is an application that enables you to use Google map to find your way.
Customer experience
While driving, I paid special attention to my customers and tried to make their journey lively. For those that are interactive we chat while for some we just face business. For people that drive around Lagos, they have the experience that it was not easy. At the beginning people were surprised that a lady is driving a taxi, but at the end of the journey they usually commend me.” She disclosed that the good thing about Taxify driving platform was that it gave her liberty to do what she liked and when she finally got a job and the salary was too small she still combined both.
via: vanguardngr
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