For many law graduates, the journey begins only after being called to the Bar. Until then, it feels like life is on pause waiting, watching, hoping.
That was me.
I had earned my law degree, but without being called to the Bar, I couldn’t practice. The only option was to either keep waiting or continue on a path I had walked for years (Internship). But something in me was ready for change. I didn’t want to remain stuck or stagnant. I wanted growth even if it meant stepping into the unknown.
That’s when I made a choice that changed everything:
I decided to explore the digital world.
Stepping Outside the Legal Box
With curiosity and determination, I ventured into learning digital skills. I didn’t know exactly where it would lead, but I knew I needed to start somewhere. After exploring several paths, I found something that resonated with me ‘virtual assistance‘.
I dedicated time to learning the tools, understanding the landscape, and building my capacity. Eventually, I became a certified virtual assistant. But this new role wasn’t entirely foreign, I had once served as a personal assistant to a senior figure in the legal profession. That experience, although different, gave me a solid foundation. Now I had to adapt those skills to a remote, digital environment and that meant learning, unlearning, and growing.
Skills are seeds, plant them with service, and they’ll grow into success. Share on XStill, I wasn’t content with just being another virtual assistant. The digital space is vast, and I needed to stand out. That desire to be exceptional pushed me to expand my skill set beyond administrative tasks, into tech-driven solutions, content support, client communication, and more. I wanted to offer more, serve better, and become truly valuable in a world that demands versatility.
Value First, Not Money
One powerful lesson I’ve learned on this journey is that value must come before money.
If your only motivation is income, you’ll burn out the moment the money doesn’t show up. And trust me, at the beginning, it often doesn’t. But when your goal is to create value, you remain consistent, even without external rewards. You find joy in the process, not just the payoff.
A wise man I admire, Philip Amiola, once said:
“If people use you, it means you are useful.”
If people use you, it means you’re useful. That’s not weakness—it’s worth. Share on XThat stuck with me.
I practiced. I learned. I refined. Every free project was a masterclass in resilience and growth. It taught me how to listen, solve problems, and serve better.
When Will I Start Earning?
This is a question many people ask especially in a place like Nigeria, where economic realities are tough:
“When do I stop doing free work and start earning?”
It’s a valid question. And here’s my answer:
By learning, doing, and teaching, you will eventually earn. The shift happens naturally when people begin to see your value. Some of the people you serve for free will refer you to those willing to pay. Or you may turn your skill into a course, a workshop, a mentorship program and suddenly, you’re making money while creating value.
The secret? Start by giving. Keep improving. Stay consistent.
The Bigger Picture
At the end of the day, I believe every professional whether in law, tech, business, or education is a product in the market. But the most successful ones are those who have learned to focus not just on profit, but on purpose.
I don’t just want to “make money.”
I want to make impact.
I want to serve, support, and solve real problems and in doing so, earn the trust (and eventually the business) of those I work with.
Final Thoughts
You may not have a title yet. You may not be where you dreamed of being. But you are not stuck unless you choose to be.
Use what you have. Learn what you can. Share what you know. And above all, create value wherever you go.
Your value is not tied to your title.
It’s tied to your mindset, your effort, and your willingness to grow.
Coming Next…
In my next post, I’ll be sharing practical tips for anyone looking to get started as a virtual assistant what to learn, how to position yourself, and how to stand out in a competitive market.
Stay tuned!