Prudency045:
The importance of good grades cannot be over emphasized. Having a first class degree is something to be proud of. However, don't let it get into your head.

During school days, first class students even have their clique and don't relate with classmates who are on 2.2 or 3rd class. Some of them were so full of themselves thinking their First degree equate to good jobs after graduation.

They realised that first class doesn't equate to good jobs during our IT semester. Only a few of them got good IT placement. While the students they looked down on got good IT placements. Some in the oil & gas, others in multinational FMCG.

Upon resumption for the final year, the first class students started relating with everybody. I guess they were exposed to the reality of life.

Even after graduation, the first class students struggled to get good jobs. Las las na Masters and PhD routes abroad be their best option.

Before you start saying I am beefing First Class graduate, I graduated with a 2.1( 4.35/5.00). At least I was among the best 15 students in a class of 120 students.

I agree with your post up till the penultimate paragraph.

You wrote as if getting a job strictly dominates earning a Master's and or PhD from a decent school abroad. It does not. One of the big benefits of a first class is that it gives way many options, especially if the first class holder has all the important skills you mentioned above and more.

With a first class, the right attitude and information and the right favour, many options will come and many doors will open. I know of a girl here on nairaland who was almost losing it. With her high GPA and good ability, she still couldn't get a job in naija. But thankfully, we came in contact and one thing led to another, long story short, she is now completing a paid graduate study abroad. Definitely this option would not have been available or would have been more difficult had she paraded a not-so-impressive academic degree.

Yes, people should have other skills and all, but a combination of these skills with a top academic performance is a killer combo. Even some Master/PhD programmes pay student up to 38K+ to 40K thousand dollars in stipend. That's not bad, even by western country standards. I know of some people enjoying this. Anyway, people have different paths in life. For me, the advice I get people from poor homes is to make sure they get top grades. These still open doors far and wide.

Deltayankeeboi:


I intend to practice in any field that will give me a good life. I plan on going for Master's degree first on full scholarship in Germany in microbiology or related course and if possible base there. I believe age comes into play too in having a good career in education, by the time I will be ready to go for my Master's, I will probably be 25,26 by then because I have to work for money first. I feel that age is too late sir.

I have checked online, the prospects for animal and environmental biology graduate are not really encouraging as they are not much needed in the western world from what I gathered online but not sure about the true reality there, even worse here in Nigeria, the course is nothing. I regret been in the department now.

Not even sure if there are management programme courses one can do related to zoology. I'm really confused.

I initially thought to give nairaland some serious break because I was recently banned for no reason and considered that an insult. But I logged in just to add my thoughts to the points you raised. One caveat though, I'm not a medical or biological person. So take note.

Now

1. Although the earlier is almost always the better these days, starting an MSc at age 25/26 is not late and the "late age" factor is not necessarily a big issue. I started MSc at that same age and in the same country you stated. You're likely to find that your European or Asian colleagues are max max 4 years younger than you. That's not a big deal.

2. Germany is a nice country, but in my experience I don't think it's the optimal country to 'base'. As an immigrant from English speaking Africa, you're more likely to do well in the usual foreign countries, aka the English world, than elsewhere. This is not to say that others don't make it elsewhere, just much harder.

3. I will tell you the strategy I have planned for my sister's child studying zoology abi na botany or animal science. Maybe you will take one or two things from there. First, blast all the best grades possible in naija. Second, go to NYSC and spend most of the time prepping harrd for the GRE. Basically one year preparation for the GRE, heavy heavy prep, as if life depended on it. Third, 'appear' (lol, Indian word) for the GRE exam immediately after or towards the end of NYSC and score ~167+ in quantitative, ~ 166+ in verbal, and ~ 4.5+ in writing. Fourth, enrol for a postgraduate diploma in Statistics, preferably at a good private university or at any university where getting a top GPA is sure. Fifth, graduate with a GPA close to the maximum 5 point in the PgDip. Finally, apply for admissions and full scholarships to pursue a Master or PhD in biomedical engineering, genetic engineering, biostatistics, bioinformatics, epidemiology, health policy/informatics etc etc at the best or at least at mid-ranking universities, preferably in the US. With a degree in any of these fields, a gainful and successful career becomes more likely.

So, in four words, no need to regret.

I want to revive this thread from years ago. I will be posting the profiles of students who we have sent abroad for either a MSc or PhD in Economics..

Watch out!

jaxxy:



Messi is good or rather great no doubt bt he has sm major weaknesses which doesn’t make him better than Ronaldo.

1. He is a one dimensional player like maradona said.

2. He can not lead or inspire his team mates from his wonderful play. His play doesn’t resonate to his teammates very well. Like pele this is Smtn Ronaldo produces effortlessly.

Your second point about leadership, you truly have to give it to Ronaldo for that. He gives his team mates mind. So you correct.

The first one, not too clear what you meant. Mind explaining?

maklelemakukula:

Rooney has the demeanour. Deal with it!!

LOOOOL. You made my day. hahahahaha. "Demeanor" indeed. So funny

GRE and TOEFL online registration:

If you have exhausted all options and still can't register, find an email connected to me here (there're several) and reach out to me. You will be registered.

PS: There is no charge for this service, just doing it to help, but this also means that everybody can't be helped.

maklelemakukula:
Rooney has the demeanour of that colleague that secretly hates you and is devastated that they can't meet up to your achievements.

So if Ronney had hailed Ronaldo, called him the best of all time, he wouldn't have been 'a colleague that secretly hates you and is devastated that they can't meet up to your achievements"?

Another really interesting post by a nairalander. LOL

NeoWanZaeed:
Because Ronaldo soars above you in Manchester United and Madrid..

That doesn't give you the right not to say the truth Beckham.

Am ashamed of you

So, because his opinion is at variance with your own opinion, it's a lie? Put another way, so your own opinion, at variance with his own, is the truth?

Interesting....Lol

Osikwemhe25:
Good evening, am new here,
Am about to graduate this year,
Am getting ready for my GRE exams also
Am in civil engineering..... �
Tell me the basics requirements to apply for scholarships PhD after school
And also I need the link of books, I need to use to get ready for the exam..
I got some online thou

What' s your GPA? If it's close to 4.75, email us. We will help you through all the process. http://baumtenpers.com/.

If it's not, still email us. But make sure you prepare hard for the GRE and score >165 quantitative and >150 verbal

Alexilibra:


Which of the US schools have started waiving GRE abeg

Chicago....If your other credentials are Chicago level, you should give it a try

princefemo01:
Hello, I discovered that most US schools have started waving GRE, TOEFL and other exams as a requirement towards Fall 2020 admission. However, after securing admission, is it possible to seek for funding without these exams considering the competition involved in seeking for fund? I need advise.

Thanks.

Most US schools will consider all PhD applications for funding, though not everyone eventually gets funding. In other words, admission and funding goes hand-in-hand. If you have not gotten funding, you should reach out to them and ask when funding decisions will be made. If for some strange reason they didn't evaluate you for funding when giving you admission, then that's indeed strange and you should reach out to them. However, if they have evaluated you and offered you admission with no funding, then keep asking. Who knows, God can favour you if it's your time to get it.

Yes, they waive GRE if they are still accepting applications for fall 2020, but most have ended applications and have even made offers and people and accepted and rejected offers by April 15 latest. This is the more reason you should reach out to the schools you applied to and ask if someone has declined their offers to know if you have a chance, assuming you;re on some waiting list.

Pekun210:
Good morning everyone, i appreciate the good works being done here and i pray everyone will have more reasons to smile...
Please I'm about starting all this process and i need help with school that are generous with funding for Agricultural students.

My profile
B.SC; Agricultural Economics and Extension services with a cgpa of 4.42/5

Intended Masters programme: Agricultural Economics or food and resource economics

GRE: currently preparing

And any advice will be really appreciated.

See my last post. It applies to you too.

leckson58:
Help me out my people.

I recently graduated with a second class upper 4.02/5.0 in Agricultural economics and extension majoring in extension education.

I read in some portion of the thread that none STEM student looking for masters in the USA do have issues with funding and getting jobs after they finish. Please gurus in the house how true is this.

Asides that please recommend good schools that offer funding for Agric education and educational psychology masters.

Thanks.

Don't be fixated on a particular course if you are looking for full funding. That's one. Two, your GPA is good. You can apply for a PhD in Agric economics and drop out with a master's 2 years in, if you don't want the PhD...Although it's a good idea to earn it.

My suggestions
1. Prepare for 3-4 months for the GRE. Prepare correctly
2. Take the GRE and score >161 Quant and >153 verbal and >4.0 AWA
3. Try to write and publish a paper in Agric economics with your professor/lecturer. This is possible if you are serious
4. Do RA for them or contact me if you want RA opportunity to boost your profile
5. If you have the GRE score and at least one publication in a decent journal (not just any publication), then come back to me. Search for any email that is connected to me...Read my previous posts, you will see email. I will assist you through our group http://baumtenpers.com/. Hopefully, you're still young..

mizodumade:
Good day Nairalanders!
I need your advise

My profile
B. Sc Microbiology (Graduated 5 years ago)
GPA: 4.37/5.00
Intended MSc/ PhD: Microbiology/Molecular Biology
GRE to be written in few months
No Publication
I am torn between applying for MSc or direct PhD because I don't have much research experience.

Please help
Thank you

You can still get research experience with ANY of your research active professors/lecturers there in Naija. Doing literature reviews with them, editing, proofreading, writing introduction etc etc, all count as research experience. From this, you can even get a publication or two.

PhD straight requires BSc...It still means you can earn MSc in the first two years as part of the PhD itself. If you score well on GRE and can crank out some OKaysih pubs with your lecturers at UI/IFE/wherever, I don't see how applying for a PhD would be a problem..PhD has an advantage in that it is often funded, fully.

But if you can get a fully funded Master's, why not

Zyzxx10:
Good for you.Brothers and sisters pls help a fellow nairalander.Lack and hunger wan kill me.I tried to get food stuffs through covid aid but it wasn't successful.I know this are hard times for everyone but pls if you have enough to spare pls help a brother out.Its not that I'm lazy but my finances took a very huge hit due to burial issues for my father late last year.I rather beg and be insulted than to be a member of a cult group or a robbery gang and harm my fellow Nigerians.Pls anything even if it is 900 to add to the remaining cash in my account.And I pray God will keep us safe and healthy through this dark times.God bless you.I would please forward my account details if you are touched to bless me as I have nothing to hide.A beggar has no choice.Thank you

Guy, where are you based in naija? What is your profession? Do a thorough search for emails connected to me (don't send nairaland request) and send me an email so we can take it from there.

This thread is filled with hate and bad blood, not sure why.

The above advert was made via our HR handle. I am a non-salaried member of this group (actually one of the fellows referred to in the text; all fellows are non-salaried, wonderful volunteers).

We have been supporting/mentoring some of the high-achieving students in Nigeria and indeed Africa, several ones are here on Nairaland. A look at my education-related posts from nearly 10 years ago will set all records straight.

Apart from the free advisory service from highly passionate fellows who volunteer their time, experience and talents to supporting Africans, we have actually mentored more than 5 Nairalanders to the level of obtaining full scholarships that literally changed their entire lives. We also provide scholarships for primary, secondary and undergraduate students who are indigent and academically brilliant but have no parents (or no father). We even sometimes pay for GRE/IELTS/TOEFL plus US university application fees. The funds to make all these possible come from donations, particularly from some of our fellows who have full time jobs at world class financial services institutions around the world. These are also the people that contribute to the salaries of our full time, salaried staff. Unfortunately, they're not billionaires (yet), so even if they would have loved to, they just can't afford to pay '1 million per month' to some of the nairaland 'geniuses' on here. Lol.

Again, reading all comments here, I am actually not sure why this thread is filled with so much hate and bad blood. This is discouraging! Very much so. But it won't stop the great job of mentoring deserving African students, which this group has chosen to embark upon for some time now, without expecting nada in return.

That said, for those meeting the requirements (easy to meet if academics is your thing), keep the applications coming. I have seen some applications and they look good. I will be one of your interviewers if you get an interview, so read all my posts from almost a decade ago, so you can have something to ask me.

My other suggestion: For those promising students not meeting the publication requirements, still reach out to the HR via those email addresses. If you have solid undergraduate achievements - and one of our fellows shows an interest in you - then you really could get the full support you need to reach the 'zenith' of your dreams.

Keep safe all

Assurance1000:
Just lost my job in a transport company. Pay was little (30k) but it kept me busy. Any recommendations will be appreciated. I reside in Benin. I have a Master's in Microbiology. Though
I feel bad right now but am positive about the future. Your kind words would go a long way to help me right now. Thanks.

I am sorry to hear this. How good are your writing and editing skills? English skills? What about your MS Word table arrangement and your Excel skills? Data handling nko? Do you have access to the internet?

If you say yes to all of these, check out this - https://www.nairaland.com/5758166/job-msc-phd-holders#87805079posted by our research group. It's not exactly for you, but you could be hired to support the group.

Send your CV there and they will get back to you.

Papacypaul:
ND Civil Engineering (Lower Credit)
HND Civil Engineering (Upper Credit)
B. Eng Civil Engineering (iv) (First Class)

Interesting progression...

What do you do now?

Tunjasko:
Hello guys,
We have finally gotten the closure we all seek for. It really hurts for those of us who didn't get the APL. I just want to make a promise to myself. I want to come back here by December and see that I have made significant progress and achievements. See y'all at the top.

Dude, I'm just seeing your message from 4 years ago! If you still want to talk, reach out.

Impressive, Alhaja.

Congratulations! If only some of us knew how though it is to get these awards, we would be more appreciative.

OfoIgbo:
If I were Soludo, I will turn down this appointment. The guys in that council are intellectual and professional Lilliputians when compared with Soludo.

Soludo has to realise that the strength of such a council depends heavily on the abilities of the chairman, and Soludo is lightyears ahead of this unknown chairperson, and if the chairperson bungles this assignment, the Lagos-Ibadan media and the presidency will do their best to heap the failure on Soludo, with the sole aim of tarnishing his professional image.
The committee is also to the sole benefit of the chairman, vice and secretary as they will start boasting after this assignment that they led a committee that Soludo was just a mere member of. It is just for their CVs.
Let this government run the economy with just northern and SW technocrats. I even wonder why the federal minister of finance is not a part of this committee. A bunch of incompetent morons

They attempted to do the same to Okonjo-Iweala, but the chic was too bright for them

Let me take you on if you're still there.

How are they all intellectually inferior to Soludo? Yes, Soludo is bright, but two people also stand out in that list. Iyabo Masha is not unknown and Doyin Salami is also not unknown. To be honest with you, as an economist like most of these people, I do not see how these people are inferior to Soludo, at least when we talk about the field of economics.

However, if you say that Soludo has been tested on Nigeria's matters and is senior to these people as far as leadership in Nigeria is concerned, then you will have a point...But note, this does not mean these people are inferior. It means they have not been given same opportunity as Soludo.

Soludo is bright, at least as far as ratings of Nigerian economists is concerned. I wish him all the best.

Emilokoiyawon:
Yobo is 39? Or you mean 49.

Have you seen a 49 year old Nigerian man before?

Because I am not sure you have.

Max, max, Yobo no pass 42!

AwkaetitiBabe:
Bread winner and the man is doing what? Well if he will cook, clean and take care of the kids and be humble and faithful, no wahala.

Lol, you sabi reverse order. hahahahaha

Deola2020:
Ladies,where do you lots find these kind of men

You dey my mind? I have been thinking about the sammme question, the same.

Where do they see these kinds of men? I am amazed, wow!

RIP to the dead

Bruno3000:
This is for all the guys' hearts she messed with, and for ignoring that one guy that truly loved her.
HER ABODE IN THE AFTER LIFE IS HELL FIRE...

I don't have time to argue o.

Oga Sir, are you alright? You know am before?

Afamed:
Dr. Yakubu Nura of the University of Maiduguri Nigeria wins World Physics Competition

World Championship-2019 in Physics (EINSTEIN’S PLANETARY EQUATION) acknowledges the outstanding international contributions and is selected based on international meritorious competition. Dr Yakubu Nura's research article was judged winner among 5721 nominations from 97 countries, screened for the World Championship-2019 in Physics (EINSTEIN’S PLANETARY EQUATION).

World Champion Dr. Yakubu Nura is now recognized as Father of modern EINSTEIN’S PLANETARY EQUATION studies in Physics. The purpose of the award is to identify brilliant scientists and academicians around the world through World Championship. The World Championship is organized by International Agency for Standards and Ratings at international level Dr. Yakubu Nura, (World Champion and Fellow, Directorate of Physics, IASR) plays a vital role in advancement of scientific knowledge in Physics (EINSTEIN’S PLANETARY EQUATION

#CONGRATULATUONS ���✌️!!

Big congrats if true