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Re: Backpack To Briefcase Series: Letters and Lessons from a Corporate Desk. by yorex2011: 6:09pm On Jul 14, 2016 |
cc150615:That awkward moment while studying the law and someone then he starts liking computer programming.. Before you know baba don clock 40 lolz I knew i wanted to be an electrical engineer since primary six, and i worked towards it, eventually i started liking programming, Eventually i realised i just loved technology as a whole, Did engineering as a course, writing code as a job, Will eventually fuse both in no distant future. |
Re: Backpack To Briefcase Series: Letters and Lessons from a Corporate Desk. by davide470(m): 6:26pm On Jul 14, 2016 |
Not everyone can be called an Engineer, but anyone can become an Accountant, Auditor, Banker or Economist. - e470 If you start a "newly found" career route and it seems just right*, (just right is relative; environment, pay, good prospects et al) then by all means, carve a niche there. It's about loving what you do and enhancing your interest in the sector you are plying. Back then in school, whilst studying Chemical Engineering, i normally buy "BusinessDay" at a student price of N50 twice/thrice in a week at the School Gate and my interest for economics and economic related information increased tremendously. During my internship with an IOC in my 4th Year of Uni., i was posted in one of the rotations to a "Business Analysis" section per se - where they analyse how economic policies and it's related activities affects all aspects of E&P activities, especially Gas business and a couple of them were Engineers with the CFA title (Chartered Financial Analyst). So, as "Fate" would have it, my first job after service is in the broad investment world, so even if i somehow find myself back to Engineering ( - until "Oyel" People comes calling ), the yearning for investments would still be there and i might just go back. All in All, with the state of the economy viz a viz current statistics on unemployment rate, making a career choice should be like the 3rd ranking in an hierarchy of both needs and wants. 12 Likes 4 Shares |
Re: Backpack To Briefcase Series: Letters and Lessons from a Corporate Desk. by yorex2011: 6:29pm On Jul 14, 2016 |
davide470: someone give this guy one crate of mineral 2 Likes |
Re: Backpack To Briefcase Series: Letters and Lessons from a Corporate Desk. by amicable09(f): 7:35pm On Jul 14, 2016 |
Fkforyou:Now you're funny. Hop in! And yea, long time! hope you're doing great? |
Re: Backpack To Briefcase Series: Letters and Lessons from a Corporate Desk. by amicable09(f): 7:37pm On Jul 14, 2016 |
This is an exposé taking place here.
Let me sit and learn.
*Gets a writing pad* 1 Like |
Re: Backpack To Briefcase Series: Letters and Lessons from a Corporate Desk. by Lero15(m): 7:39pm On Jul 14, 2016 |
If you are an engineering grad without any experience and you got called by a good engineering firm, you are FORTUNATE. Summary, u apply for your related graduate course, dem no pick you. Move on. Other guys need you. 4 Likes 1 Share |
Re: Backpack To Briefcase Series: Letters and Lessons from a Corporate Desk. by Jamean(f): 7:42pm On Jul 14, 2016 |
davide470: Yea! That's why I noted "other subtle abilities" in my first paragraph. While growing, I believe children have different innate abilities but some overshadow the others as they grow older based on life experiences and preferences. About the highlighted red, I plan to do a legal professional certification, since I can't do LLM which I wish for then do a post graduate which has a blend of legal and the physical sciences *behind the scene discussions* 3 Likes 1 Share |
Re: Backpack To Briefcase Series: Letters and Lessons from a Corporate Desk. by Jamean(f): 7:48pm On Jul 14, 2016 |
yorex2011: I will take the back pack to mean continuous learning and self development which is necessary to be relevant in life. By this definition, you can carry the back pack forever. |
Re: Backpack To Briefcase Series: Letters and Lessons from a Corporate Desk. by yorex2011: 7:55pm On Jul 14, 2016 |
Jamean: una no wan leave me and my backpack only problem is that backpacks dont go with suits, not that i like wearing suits like that.. may have to look for a way to redesign a backpack to be hybrid.. |
Re: Backpack To Briefcase Series: Letters and Lessons from a Corporate Desk. by yorex2011: 8:00pm On Jul 14, 2016 |
thread beginning to look like a breakaway thread from the main job/vacancies chat room 1 Like |
Re: Backpack To Briefcase Series: Letters and Lessons from a Corporate Desk. by cc150615(f): 8:01pm On Jul 14, 2016 |
yorex2011:Who says you can't keep carrying your backpack, just as long you also have the suitcase...yes I know wat I just said cos many engine ladies around me actually carry both backpacks and handbags, yeah both at the same time....tho it always leaves me wondering why |
Re: Backpack To Briefcase Series: Letters and Lessons from a Corporate Desk. by PresVA: 8:02pm On Jul 14, 2016 |
The first job one gets after nysc normally 'determines' one's career path in Nigeria... Nigeria isn't a place you fold hands and wait for that choice/desired job or else when you pass graduate trainee age, your body go tell you Nwanne, just take up that job and find passion in it, if you no find am, go buy from market biko.... just be sure to create passion or happiness in one way or the other, for your own good because idleness/hunger sure wouldn't provide a better 'passion'... From the 'passionless' job, you could still land your dream job.. but just get busy first!... Many people however have been lucky to get their choice jobs immediately after uni... May God guide us right 8 Likes 2 Shares |
Re: Backpack To Briefcase Series: Letters and Lessons from a Corporate Desk. by yorex2011: 8:02pm On Jul 14, 2016 |
cc150615:adonbilivit |
Re: Backpack To Briefcase Series: Letters and Lessons from a Corporate Desk. by amicable09(f): 8:14pm On Jul 14, 2016 |
yorex2011: Look well, it's not a breakaway but a learning ground. We are in a discussion class |
Re: Backpack To Briefcase Series: Letters and Lessons from a Corporate Desk. by Ferdyboss: 8:22pm On Jul 14, 2016 |
cc150615, I didn't mention nor imply that Fulfilment= Working in the line of the course you study |
Re: Backpack To Briefcase Series: Letters and Lessons from a Corporate Desk. by yorex2011: 8:25pm On Jul 14, 2016 |
amicable09:exactly what the breakaway crew always say |
Re: Backpack To Briefcase Series: Letters and Lessons from a Corporate Desk. by amicable09(f): 8:36pm On Jul 14, 2016 |
yorex2011:Backpack lover |
Re: Backpack To Briefcase Series: Letters and Lessons from a Corporate Desk. by amicable09(f): 8:38pm On Jul 14, 2016 |
Whether the weather be hot, Whether the weather be cold, Whatever the weather, We'll weather the weather, Whether we like it or not. culled from Nursery school rhyme This, I believe is the state of most of Nigeria's graduate today. It is a weathering state. Someday soon, we'll be the storm! |
Re: Backpack To Briefcase Series: Letters and Lessons from a Corporate Desk. by Fkforyou(m): 8:54pm On Jul 14, 2016 |
amicable09:Yes I am, thank you. I trust you are doing great too. |
Re: Backpack To Briefcase Series: Letters and Lessons from a Corporate Desk. by tolutweety(m): 9:05pm On Jul 14, 2016 |
Ferdyboss: 8 Likes 4 Shares |
Re: Backpack To Briefcase Series: Letters and Lessons from a Corporate Desk. by karleone(m): 9:26pm On Jul 14, 2016 |
davide470: You just made me smile. 2 Likes |
Re: Backpack To Briefcase Series: Letters and Lessons from a Corporate Desk. by amicable09(f): 9:31pm On Jul 14, 2016 |
Fkforyou:Yes I am, thanks. It's a pleasure having you here. Do have a great time and don't fail to chip in one or two things whenever you get the 'hunch' to . I'm looking forward to your contributions. Thanks |
Re: Backpack To Briefcase Series: Letters and Lessons from a Corporate Desk. by cc150615(f): 9:42pm On Jul 14, 2016 |
Ferdyboss:Ookay, dts why I used the clause 'in case' too |
Re: Backpack To Briefcase Series: Letters and Lessons from a Corporate Desk. by karleone(m): 9:45pm On Jul 14, 2016 |
tolutweety: This your Forbes fulfillment path reminded me of one of Reno Omokri's nuggets. He said, "There are no salary earners on Forbes billionaires list because only those who pursue their passion becomes billionaires." Maybe we'll need to think about that quote and it's relation to job fulfillment. 1 Like |
Re: Backpack To Briefcase Series: Letters and Lessons from a Corporate Desk. by Ferdyboss: 9:53pm On Jul 14, 2016 |
Tolutweety...... Nice one Let's meet up at Forbes list 2 Likes 1 Share |
Re: Backpack To Briefcase Series: Letters and Lessons from a Corporate Desk. by tolutweety(m): 9:58pm On Jul 14, 2016 |
karleone: 1 Like 1 Share |
Re: Backpack To Briefcase Series: Letters and Lessons from a Corporate Desk. by Nobody: 10:16pm On Jul 14, 2016 |
Ferdyboss: ... 8 Likes 5 Shares |
Re: Backpack To Briefcase Series: Letters and Lessons from a Corporate Desk. by Nobody: 10:27pm On Jul 14, 2016 |
cedaraustine: |
Re: Backpack To Briefcase Series: Letters and Lessons from a Corporate Desk. by netotse(m): 10:33pm On Jul 14, 2016 |
cedaraustine:legit, that's my goal...semi retired in my late 40s 1 Like |
Re: Backpack To Briefcase Series: Letters and Lessons from a Corporate Desk. by netotse(m): 11:28pm On Jul 14, 2016 |
davide470's post inspired me to write. Apologies, it will not be very coherent, yes I'm lousy like that I chose engineering because I was curious and didn't like biology. Computer science was out of it because it wasn't a professional course according to my folks...lol. I chose electrical engineering over computer engineering because my Dad's friend told him computer and electrical engineers did the same thing(I was a computer whiz), I wasn't exactly sure what field of electrical engineering I wanted to focus on and started to become disillusioned due to the theoretical nature of the course (I like to do stuff with my hands). For me the turning point was when we had an assignment to calculate how much electricity Nigeria needs in year 3(or first semester year 4), along the way we learnt electricity wasn't constant because there wasn't enough electricity being generated, (prior to this I had never really thought about it). I started to read up about power and was hooked. I opted to go to PHCN for my IT and spent it at a transmission station, from then I knew I wasn't interested in any other field of engineering, I chose to serve out my NYSC at a generating station and after that started looking for work in the power sector. All the while I kept in touch with the people I met along the way(I was a power groupie, once you knew a bit about power I was your fan ), my first job paid 29K in 2010 and I got it through someone I did IT(industrial training) with(he wrote me a recommendation letter to his friend). The experience I gained during my IT & NYSC was invaluable, the guy gave me a pencil and asked me to draw a single line diagram of a typical substation (something I could do with my eyes closed). The company I worked for was a contractor to different govt bodies in the power sector and they mostly specialized in transmission projects. I became restless after a while because I got tired of being confined to the office, I did learn about procurement, tendering and also how PHCN worked, I also started to learn about regulation. I left to go into industry because I wanted the engineering equivalent of street credibility(how will I be a desk engineer after all the suffer in school?...lol). In industry I started out in maintenance of the production line and spent almost 3 years there, I was still keeping tabs on the power sector though, after I felt I had learnt enough about maintenance and gained enough "wrench time" I started to scheme my way back to power. I worked my way into the power section of my plant and spent 6 months before being booted out because I didn't get along with my boss...Long story...lol. I went back to maintenance and spent 9 miserable months there. I found my way back into the power section when a project came up that required people with experience in power. So for the past few years I've been working on power projects but more from a project management perspective. I also do a bit of operations management but that doesn't really excite me, haven't touched a spanner (at work) in years. What worked for me? I was fortunate to discover my specialty early. I read up on it so I could discuss it with a measure of understanding I discussed it with people more knowledgeable than I was. (*Networking) I got as much experience(IT and NYSC) as possible in that field *this part is key (this way, I have a bit more experience than my peers(yep, I add my NYSC to my years of experience). I was gingered and did a lot of heavy lifting by myself (as an electrical engineer I had a more complete set of spanners than a lot of mechanical engineers, the craftsmen loved me...lol) I eventually learnt the importance of understanding your bosses goals and actualizing them. *getting experience is key, I know you will say there are no jobs but that shouldn't stop you. I chose to go to PHCN for my IT and I didn't earn anything(I was given NGN4500 after the whole six months). During my NYSC, I earned NGN9775 from govt and NGN4500 from PHCN making something close to NGN14000, it didn't matter because I had a goal. If getting experience requires you to work for free then do it, at the begining of your career it's important you chase experience not a salary. *Networking is important, a key part of this is only asking for things people can give you. There are millions of people looking for jobs in Nigeria so chances are even if I have a job opening there are tons of people vying for that job, how do you set yourself apart from all the others? why should I pick you over all the people in my village? or all the people that say they need jobs to feed their families? if you relate well enough with your professional network, when opportunities arise that fit your profile people will call you(provided they trust your abilities). I got my first job through someone I met during my IT at PHCN. We had a prior relationship and he was aware of my capabilities so he was not taking a risk or gamble when he recommended me to his friend(I remember he put "test him in every way" in the letter sef). As much as possible, focusing on building a network of mentors, people that you can ask questions, people naturally want to help because it makes them feel good(or knowledgeable/important), however if you start to ask for something they feel they can't give(jobs, money etc), they're likely to clam up. I'm starting to ramble so I'll stop here. Next time I'll try and write a bit more detail on my experience in the power sector. 15 Likes 10 Shares |
Re: Backpack To Briefcase Series: Letters and Lessons from a Corporate Desk. by davide470(m): 9:12am On Jul 15, 2016 |
Netotse, I remember your moniker in the "Welcome to My Office" thread - Career section. The thread was my favourite during my service days. Hope you are good though. Cheers. |
Re: Backpack To Briefcase Series: Letters and Lessons from a Corporate Desk. by temi4fash(m): 12:00pm On Jul 15, 2016 |
Did Electrical Engineering too. Did my I.T at an Inverter, UPS installation and servicing Company somewhere around ojota. So many panels and boards every where but i was not fascinated it cos it was more of electronics than electrical, it was boren.. Cos i have always liked and preferred Electrical to Electronics Lucky for me, they got a job, An Electrical conversion job of a house to an hotel somewhere around allen avenue, it was my first time on site and i really enjoyed it, the technician i was attached to didnt bother to get a labour, so i was the labour and his assistant. For me, it was a time i learnt lots of stuffs about the whole wiring and other stuffs. While waiting for NYSC, Got someone who knew someone and made me do a 6 months internship without pay at LSDPC, Brushed up my design and AutoCAD skills in a way. I really enjoyed that place too. Wonderful people. That was the only place i felt proud to be an Engr. There was these aura during their departmental meetings that make you feel cool being an engineer. But they dont have money. Aura doesnt pay the bills. Money does. Did NYSC teaching Intro tech in a government school. Finished NYSC and got a Job as an Site Electrical Engineer was supervising electrical and mechanical installations on site, the pay was meagre. Did it for the experience. Luckily, I got another job after some time in a Fire Safety Consulting Firm, we do Fire Alarm and detection designs and installations, Hydrant design and installations too and so on.. Am i enjoying cant really say but its paying the bills for now. 3 Likes 1 Share |
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