I DEY CRAZ? OMO NA EDUCATION 1ST

I found my self in just same situation as yours last year and guess what,i didn't even go for the interview invite i got with UBA in Abuja because i felt since i was going to be at the embassy in a few weeks time,then their was no need so i occupied myself with USA embassy likely questios for MBA student and unfortunately for me i went to the embassy and wasn't issued a visa even though all my documents were as real as life and i tried well enough to impress the white boy that interviewed me (those that have had a america embassy experience will understand me better). Don't ask me how i felt after d refusal.
So my point is that u are already close to this diamondbank job,i advice u to grab it first,

Both involves risk but i will advice you go for the Job. At 28 u cant keep calling Uncle and Aunty. This is an opportunity to start ur own life oo. Msc is not a guarantee of good employment.

When some people hear bank, oil coy, telecomms, they immediately start dreaming of big salaries.
See, getting a job there is one thing, climbing up the ladder is another thing entirely esp in the banking and telecomms sector where most recruitments are internal and all incoming people must start from ground level! wo, you go sweat tire! (speaking as an insider) It is degrees like this that helps push you up the ladder (along side connections o!) so OP, you NEED that degree if you are a go-getter and planning to climb as high as you can in the corporate world.

Okija_juju: @ OP

You read Accounting for your first degree..

I will advise you to take the job offer from Diamond Bank. Accept the offer of admission from any University that offers you one and defer it. Give Diamond Bank two to three years of your life, then return to school for your MSc.

I tell you this because your employability would be maximized with a 3-year job experience on your resume plus an MSc compared with No job experience and an MSc. The MSc you can control, the job you can’t. That’s why I would say take the job and defer your admission.

@op Take this advice and you will never regret it.Even the us school is not yet in ur hand.You said you passed GMAT and TOEFL.Dont u knwo that each school has different GMAT requirement?You have not even secured the admission,have not gotten US visa and you want to throw away job offer from Diamond.ur GMAT is valid for 5 years and you can use it after you must have acquired the banking experience(within 5 years).It is only TOEFL that you may have to re-write because it is only valid for two years.

Bros with speed ehhh tk d bank jobs,dea r ova 2000000 wo need dat position n u av it in plata of gold.admisn u ca get any time bros time is every tin

Tough to call. I would take the job and defer my MSC for one year.

Waiting patiently for Ajenlekoko's contribution.

namelesss: Oohboi ur own nawao!!! It depends on the life u want for youself sha...I'd prefer the Msc If only u r not up to 28...

On point.

Most good companies have max age for each job position recruitment and for most companies, its 27 and very few coys take 28. Sum like gt and access prefer 25. So, at 28, u r very lucky to be considered. This is a hard truth.

Considering ur age, gaining an Msc witout work experience is like shooting urself.
Defer the admission, take up d diamond offer, work there even if its a year, then bolt.

Mikespartan: I have just completed my medicals with Diamond Bank.....and my uncle and his wife who are both doctors in the USA offered to sponsor my studies and all when they heard I didn't have a job yet(this was b4 I got interview invites with Diamond). I have taken the GMAT n TOEFL already and passed. BUt before I proceed further I want to decide which of the 2 options to take as I wld nt want to encourage them to spend more money and turn around to say I'm not interested. To aid ur judgement, I'm 28years old now.

if the admission is real, go for it. While doing your Msc., if you are strong, do your CPA; this will give u d opportunity of having both CPA and ACA at the same time. If at the end of your Masters you have the privilege to stay, you are very good; if not, you will be better off when you come back home, that experience would have increase your intellectual capacity and add 3 certificate to your portfolio. If the worst come, and you are unable to get job in Nigeria, fear not, you have what it takes to be an employer of labor, it is just a matter of having the gut. My advice is based on the premisses that you have the visa already, if know visa, ko sore, getting admission is not equal to getting visa.

let me start by congratulating you on your double success. I wish to find myself in this 'dilemma' that you've just found urself. To be frank I envy you. Since your uncle ve assured you of sponsorship pls go for ur masters and build ur potentials. I assure you that ur future is bright. Don't go and start pursuing targets when you still have other options.
Finally pray, pray, pray, and pray. Let God reveal his intentions to you because his will, will always supersede. Contrast once.

It is bad to be a slave in another man's land, but it is even worse to be enslave in your own country, hold on to your masters program, it does not only give you the priviledge to see the world but it give you an internationally respected certificate, a friend of my who currently work for ten year in one of this new generation bank, i wont mention name decline an international admission offered ten years ago, but now she needs it badly, she just want to leave the country by all means.
Guy shine your eye banking job aint worth it, but you may just accept it temporary sha, datsall

mercylicious:

On point.

Most good companies have max age for each job position recruitment and for most companies, its 27 and very few coys take 28. Sum like gt and access prefer 25. So, at 28, u r very lucky to be considered. This is a hard truth.

Considering ur age, gaining an Msc witout work experience is like shooting urself.
Defer the admission, take up d diamond offer, work there even if its a year, then bolt.

You are very right! op should take the job offer, work for @ least two years, then fly away to the U.S. That's why I said it depends on his uncle's readiness to accept him there anytime

I'll advise you to go for the Msc. Using my own experience as an example - I worked with ETB for 2 years before coming to the UK for my Msc. In hindsight now, I really thank God that I left ETB when i did cos after about 8 months, a lot of staff were asked to go and most of them didnt have any plan B in terms of business or career path. Please know that Banking only looks glamorous from outside - it doesn't really develop you in terms of career. No bank sends you for any training even if you work in the Head Office.After 5 yrs in banking you'll still be feeling so empty and asking yourself how much has been added to you in terms of career development.

People tend to forget that life is not all about money, it's more about fulfillment. Going back to my experience; I came to the UK not knowing if I'd made the right decision or not. The first year was very tough cos I couldnt do more than 20hrs of work per week to support myself but after the Msc, things got easier. Long story short, where I am today is 5 times better than the banking job I left behind (better in terms of salary and position) & the sad thing is that, the guys I left behind are still on a peanut salary of 150k after 5 yrs!!. Please dont get me wrong, it's all by the grace of God.
Take the US offer, do your Msc, get the relevant certifications while in the US then start applying for job - most importantly, expect the BEST.
It is well.

Masters all the way. there is no job like Banking in Nigeria. you need not to be a graduate to do that. if you are an accountant, please go back to school and pursue real accounting degree, when IT fully automates banking in Nigeria, it will be like Banking abroad, where we don't need more than three people in a bank's branch

Mikespartan: I have just completed my medicals with Diamond Bank.....and my uncle and his wife who are both doctors in the USA offered to sponsor my studies and all when they heard I didn't have a job yet(this was b4 I got interview invites with Diamond). I have taken the GMAT n TOEFL already and passed. BUt before I proceed further I want to decide which of the 2 options to take as I wld nt want to encourage them to spend more money and turn around to say I'm not interested. To aid ur judgement, I'm 28years old now.

My guy I feel u but getting a sponsor for ur Masters in the US is a rare opportunity as well. If ur uncle and his wife are truly committed to sponsoring you,please go for it. Its just less than 2yrs right? The God who provided this job opportunity would go before you after ur MSc. Cos taking the diamond bank offer is cool but u'll just realise that the 1st -2nd year of ur salary would be for mad expenses like securing accomodation,food,clothing,etc and may not have enough to save for masters in the US until another 2-3yrs salary. Go for ur Msc Finanace! Its a great course and u'll always get a job after with God by ur side.

A lot of people have provided suggestions for the OP but one question comes to mind for me. How many people in the real sense are qualified to give the OP a candid advice devoid of bias? Most have said he should jump at the MSc because Nigeria is "shit hole". Yet in this "shit hole" a friend relocated back home and set up a firm that helps banks verify customer contact details and is raking in millions daily. In this same "shit hole", another friend relocated and currently helps banks, IOCs and MNCs carry out overseas reference and academic verification for Nigerians in diaspora who are returning in droves to compete for the few jobs with their Nigerian counterparts. This is the same shit hole that the PE that I work for in NY has been able to do significant business in the last three years in a row.

To be honest with the OP, 28 is not an ideal age to commence a career( both home and abroad) so count your self lucky. I stay abroad and there are a lot of people with degrees doing menial jobs. Don't let the pictures that people post on facebook and other stories you read here deceive you.

I will advise that you take the job even if you are posted to Kano, are people not living here? Have an exit plan and work towards it. Without any job experience and a MSc, you will still come and compete for the same entry level jobs and bear in mind that you would have gone past the eligible age for entry level roles by then.

Please take the job. Get your ACA and save money to go abroad, after this the worst that can happen is that you come back to a job in the banking industry whilst searching for better offers.

A friend of mine that left for the US immediately we finished University is still wandering around even with his MSc and MBA. He is in a quodrum as we speak because he has no job experience and most employers both home and abroad consider him "un-employeable with all his degrees. He is considering a Phd now and this is the question I asked him the last time we spoke "after the Phd what next"? he just mumbled a few words to indicate his uncertainty and lack of direction and hung up.

May God open our eyes of understanding

Was in this position 2 yrs ago, had a MTN job and an admission from UIUC,took d UIUC option and neva regretted it.IN so far as u r a smart guy u wud always get a top class job in america. I had 4 offers wen I finished and all my 9ja friends also got fantastic jobs coupled wit d fact dat dere r so many other avenues u can mak moni from. America loves talents u don't need a green card or knw anyone just be smart. Please tak d admission option and don't listen to ppl who tell u how bad d economy is or hw dere r no jobs. Finance guys mak more money dan doctors,lawyers especialy if u get into wall street. Please bro fling dat diamond job to d trash bin if u knw ur head dey dEre

So um have you received admission yet? Or you are hoping to? If you have, try deferring your admission for a year, take the job and see how it turns out. That way, you have 1 ur exp and you can still get ur MSc

@Op, congrats on those offers, but I think considering ur age, its best u go 4 d job. Sincerely, d prob I have with ppl dat do m.sc abroad is dat dey come back 2 naija & start looking for job. Wen u finish, u'll be a fresh grad considering d fact dat u have no experience and ur chances of getting a job becomes slim cos of ur age.

U are doing ICAN very good, ICAN as an accounting grad, is more relevant dan M.Sc in any discipline take it or leave it. U need 2 flesh ur chances of getting a job after ur masters with ur experience, regardless of ur paper qualification, without experience, ur age will be a barrier.

Ask ur uncle if their are chances u'll get a job there immediately after ur masters, if yes, then go for it. But if no, my bro, beta think twice. U can always sponsor urself 4 dis masters of a thing, get a job, pay ur bills and enjoy ur life.

My guy, I'm even surprised you asked. You have someone who is ready to sponsonr your Msc in the US and you are here beclouded by one diamond bank job.

I tell you, after completing your masters in the US I doubt if you'll even reason about the nonsense diamond bank job. Don't let their small change blind you from seeing a greater future o.

MY BROTHER I WAS ONCE IN YOUR SHOES AND YOU KNOW WHAT I DID?
HOLD IT!! DON'T GUESS, I'LL TELL U!
RIGHT NOW, AM WORKING WITH DAEWOO NIG LTD WHILE AM PROCESSING MY ADMISSION Msc. TELECOMMUNICATIONS AND NETWORKING AT FLORIDA INTERNATIONAL UNIVERSITY USA
AS SOON AS I GET MY I20 FORM AND APPLY FOR VISA, AMA DUMP THIS GOD FORSAKEN JOB RIGHT AWAY!

I'll advise the the poster to jump at his Diamond bank offer. Experience these days count more than graduate degrees, so if you get a graduate degree from Florida or anywhere else, where do you go from there? Better stay in Nigeria and develop yourself. While employed at a bank, you could continue working on your graduate degree at a local university if you must get one. Just dont get yourself caught in the web so many people have found themselves here. However, if you still choose the grad degree over d job offer, please share your experiences with us the the future.
Best.

My boss' daughter regretted doing her masters in the UK, after spending whole lot of money she's now into business. She was like what da Bleep,I should have invested d money in the 1st place. Time,effort and money wasted now d masters is wasted. Be wise go for the job. Ciao

consult d oracle or pastor Tb joshua

Ppl always say dey knw so many ppl who regretted doin masters wot of dose success stories.UK might be harsh but in yankee here all my friends who completed msc r smiling rite now. I am presently considering 2 offers from amazon and goldman sachhs. Ppl who fall victim are dose who came to do msc for degree sake and dey didn't mix wit d rite crowd. If u rilly set d tone in ur MSC in the usa u wud av a plethora of offers. OP if u eventually come to d usa send me an I'm I wud induct u into d ginger but u av to be sure dat u r competitive enof. Nd not an average student. Dere r so many success and failure stories if u r a fighter neva listen to d failure stories I was once in ur shoes

I think u should take the study offer. It is not so fashionable working in the bank these days.

@OP,
There are no 100% guarantees of anything in this life. That is a simple truth. Life itself is a risk. Bear it in mind that what ever the decision you take is a risk.

I have read on a national daily by a human resource specialist that masters without a relevant work experience is not advisable. According to her, getting a masters immediately after ur degree amounts to piling up degrees with no real substance. Her advice is that after first degree, get a job, gain experience and after 3 yrs pursue ur masters on that career path you have worked.To her, you will not be doing a paper masters, u will be doing a masters with a real life application and adding value. Employers of labour rush these kind of people she said.

Now, note they key word there is relevant experience. If you are going to the bank to do marketing then zoom for your masters.The risk is worth it. But if you are going to do some finance or accounting job,i think its better you work for now and do it later.

All options are all risky. Infact, i have seen people who left immediately for their masters even without a day experience and still landed mouth watering jobs after. I have also seen some who came back with thier foreign degrees and are now jumping from one test hall to another getting frustarted along the line.

Also note that age is a factor. Most guys who went that route finished masters before 28 and were still in line for entry level jobs with masters as an advantage over others.

Just follow your heart,there is no guarantee for success or failure.

my friend left his masters program in dubai to come start work with an oil servicing firm here. While there his fellow masters colleagues all said the same thing... Experience is key. Guy take the diamond bank offer biko.

Mikespartan, the favour of God has truely visited u but u must be careful and prayerfuly make this decision if u are a believer.However I stand with the saying: a bird at hand is worth more than thousand in the bush.Whether u go for Msc. or Phd in the U.S, it still boils down to job search in the long run toeing from ur career dreams.And if u don't know there are lots of oversea msc holdes holders swimming in the labour market. Lastly if I were in ur shoes, the only thing that will compell me to leave that job is an express direction from God.

drealnamdy:

See dis retarded bad adviser ...I gues u hav to re read what d op jst wrote..of all d constant downsize in d bankin sector..I can't believe dat pple re stl fightin to get in without job security..my brother u can go ahead wth ur Msc abroad after which u can secure several jobs over and be workin doing ur programme...Dis iz d University of Florida in d United state for cryin out loud.....and u re contemplating of droppin dat opportunity for som bank Job?? C'mon!!

It is not the "University of Florida" which is an amazing school, and if he got admission to it he would be crazy to pass up. He got an admission to a smaller school in Tampa. It is still a good school, but it is not "the University of Florida" which is in Gainesville, Fl and one of the best schools in the US.

The interview doesn't mean you have the job, YET.
#JustSaying