When I saw my PPA posting, I was excited. The organization looked serious, and I imagined gaining experience.

My first day destroyed that excitement.

I got there around 8 a.m. and stood outside because nobody knew I was coming.

When someone finally opened the gate, he asked, “Are you the NYSC person?”

I said yes.

“Okay, follow me.”

That was my orientation.

No introduction. Nothing.

They gave me a chair and told me to wait.

By 11 a.m., I asked what I was supposed to be doing.

“Just relax. We'll call you when we need you.”

I thought, “Maybe this is a blessing.”

For the first few weeks, I barely had anything to do. I would resume, sit down, scroll through my phone and watch the clock.

Then one Monday, everything changed.

My supervisor walked in carrying a pile of documents.

“Can you finish these today?”

I looked at the pile.

“Sir, all of them?”

“Yes. It's not much.”

I still don't understand “not much.”

I spent the entire day typing and checking documents.

The next morning, another pile appeared. Then another.

Suddenly, the same PPA that had nothing for me had enough work for three people.

The funny part was that they still treated me like a corper whenever it was convenient.

When there was work, I was part of the team.

When there was food, “Staff only.”

When there was a meeting, “Corpers can wait outside.”

By the end of my service, I had experienced both extremes.

But I learned patience and how to handle pressure.

My PPA taught me that sometimes the biggest surprise isn't where you're posted.

It's what happens after you resume.

I went there expecting experience.

I left with experience, frustration and stories.