₦airaland Forum

T22

Did you study maths up to graduate level (masters)?

If no, then why the change after all these professed love for Maths?

I am an average student at maths, so i might not study maths if i was to go back to school. I would still go back to Economics.

Among the choices above i would go for engineering. Engineers do a whole lot of things; finance, econs, IT etc

For me, Economics is the best course on earth. You can never go wrong with an econs degree

Thanks guys.

I am more informed now. Vital information is becoming free these days

The US had better stopped that their nonsense legislation oh

I only used Oracle as a case in hand. There are many IT paths one can follow. It all depends on your capabilities, interest and finance. Oracle is about database management, and every organisation needs data base administrators. I don't know the database software that is currently in use nowadays for i am not directly in the IT field. However, i think you can't go wrong with an oracle certification. Also, you can go into programming, networking or security etc.

Getting a job these days and in telecom in particular requires more than having necessary certifications. Luck, experience, skills, God and connection play very vital role. One of the above may work for you upon completion of your programme. It's better to be qualified for a job so that when the opportunity comes you will be able to utilise it.

As per what is good for you, i don't really know much about you and your capabilities. I can only advise you to follow your passion.

I am always ready to answer your questions.

Oh, sorry. I thought it was Imsu. Imsu and UNN seem to run similar programs

ICT is a good choice. As i said, you really don't need to go to NIIT or any of those big IT training institutes.unless you can afford it. The difference is like someone doing In't studies in Imsu and the other doing the same program at UNN. It's just brand name with little difference in content and delivery. An intelligent and hardworking person can always make up the difference.

There are many firms that charge very little for training and being a lioness you should be able to master the rest on your own. Oracle is good if you can learn it well and take the necessary certifications; OCA and OCP i think. The certifications cost about 25k and 35k respectively.

I wish you the best my sister.

i Just met one now, one of those Nlders i admire, olawalebab

Only if i can meet the following;

Violent
Sagamite
Ajalekoko
T22
Odunnu
Beaf

They are just awesome,

Recently, i started developing interest in Risk Mgt. My area of interest is Financial Risk Mgt. I actually have not done anything relating to Risk Mgt in practical terms aside textbook and google knowledge.

I would be glad if you could give a hint on the following;

1. how challenging is Risk Mgt or in my case, financial risk mgt?

2. what respect/recognition do they enjoy in an organisation?

3.how can one become a risk manager?

4. what is the pay(salary) for risk mgt professionals like?

5. what is the dividing line among risk mgt, business control system and insurance? I know google can help here but let me hear from a practitioner.

Thanks

why not report him to the owner? at least your friend is the manager and should take decisive actions against him

It all depends if she has the cash to go into entrepreneurship. Also, she appears not to have a definite career path, she wants something that will get her off the unemployment hoke. If you have the money and the business sense, i will suggest you try to open a business or fashion designing as suggested by other posters.

Even if you study nursing you will still look for job, except maybe you are ready to take any nursing job that comes your way. Getting a job in top govt and private hospitals is as difficult as getting a job in an oil company. They dont just retrench, so recruitment is really very slow in the industry. But if you want any nursing job you are likely to get one quick.

But nursing is truely a good programme to do, if only you are comfortable seeing blood and attending to sick people. And the possibility of practising on your own is very high. However, my concern is moving from in't studies to nursing, a completely unrelated field. My question then is, why nursing?

Considering the plethora of suggestions you have already received, here is my stake;

1. Ican and most other professional qualifications take really long time to complete and also cost more. They are better taken when you are already working either in that career direction or wishing to change job. I don't think you will have the patience to write a profeesional qualification for like 4-5 yrs and yet you may still not be sure of completing it within that time frame. Most people have written ICAN for 5 yrs without success. I do not know your ability though.Your case might be different.

2. You studied history and in't studies (Imsu i guess ) the best career path for you is to obtain further education in your field while looking for job. This also depends on your interest in this field. If you do have a deep interest in history and in't studies then enroll for masters, start looking for a job and i am sure before you complete your masters you are most likely to land a job, even if it's a govt job. It takes about 1-1.6 yrs to complete a masters degree and at least, you are 60-70% sure of obtaining the degree unlike ICAN and other professional exams.

3. If you want a quick career change then enroll for an MBA (Master in bus. Admin) and specialise in any area you consider suitable for you. You could specialise in HRM, Finance, In't business, marketing, supply chain etc. The beauty of an MBA is that it not only gives you a qualification that will increase your chances of getting a good job it also positions you to effectively manage your own business. Should you decide to go into business in the future then the MBA also becomes very handy. Most schools in 9ja accept people with little or no work experience into their MBA programmes. Try Unilag and other schools in the south, depending on your location. Another thing about the MBA is that you will get to meet many people who are already working in various organisations and the possibility of networking is very high.

4. If you can write very well there are many online and offline media houses these days. You could become a freelance commentator etc then advance your career from there.

5. And IT (Info tech). Any body can do it, no knowledge of maths is required that much. In 2009 i was in the same class with engineering students from Futo, Futa, Imsu etc during my MCSE training at NIIT and it didn't take me much to adapt to all those engineering terms. Even in my class then was a lady who studied govt and public admin (GPD) and she completed the programme just like any other person. It's all about interest and commitment, IT knows no course of study. My coursemate in school did Oracle at NIIT and got a job upon completion with Zenith bank. So, you can do it. Pick an IT path and move from there. It takes shorter period to complete an IT course and even getting certified. I got two IT certifications before i completed my training at NIIT. Oracle is about 6 months , Mcse 10 months, Java 10 months etc. You may not necessarily go to these top IT institute because they are quite expensive. There are tons of info online that can help you get started.

6. Develop a skill; fashion, writing, hair dressing etc

7. Be patient. Look for job and God's willing you may get one soon. Apply to as many jobs as possible. Do not limit yourself and don't think you can only get in your field of study-no body does that any more. Diversify your options, spread your nets and pray to your God for luck. Visit career pages of companies and submit unsolicited applications. Go to jobs sites;,, nairaland job section etc.

8. Get married to a very rich and caring man, especially the politicians, and you won't worry yourself about career. Just sit down and eat real money

No body can really tell you what to do with your life it's up to you to decide what you really want and then work towards achieving it.

I don't think i will make it this year. I need to go the Jarus way (iyawo don wait tire).

This will be 2013 agenda

T22

tanimola22:
@Chamber2

I think you are more of a student of anglais, law or any of those story courses. Your verbal score is awesome. By any standard, it is well above the average. Most people I know, even the so called native speakers, don't even get up to 600. I wonder why you don't use those bombastic words when you write :Dhahah.

Yes, I believe you will get up to 90-100thQ percentile when you retake the GRE since you did not prepare that much when you first took it.
@Yamakuza

I am afraid, your statement is not completely true. 800Q will not almost surely land anybody into a top PhD Economics programme in the US. Getting a good PhD position goes beyond any single factor. Go through the profiles in the link above, you will understand my point. But I agree that those top institutions i.e. Yale, Harvard, Northwestern and co try to achieve diversity and so they somehow favour people from the developing world. That is why people like chamber2 and co stand a bright chance even in the best of PhD Economics programmes in the US.

Again, I repeat, 800Q is definitely a great score, but does not guarantee a place in any top PhD programme in Economics in the US.

T22

T22

Not really. I did econs at undergraduate level but i am an average student when it comes to maths. I have always been an average maths student, always scoring Cs in most of my mathematical econs courses. that was actually what affected my CGPA.

Regarding my not using high sounding words, i think simplicity is the watchword. I only have the words that serve my purpsoe at any time. Also, Scoring 600 in verbal does not really mean one is very familiar with those earth-quaking words. I was just lucky to meet most of the words i saw in Barons Gre during the exam and i made good use of it.


AJ

Hmmm, i don't want to give anything to chance again. I wouldn't want to make the same mistake again. 3-6 months or nothing. I need a very good GRE score, especially the quant and then improve on my verbal.

^^^

Yeah it's possible. I wasn't really prepared when i took my GRE. I will have to give it a 3-6 months preparation before retaking it.

I don't really think the various tiers of govt need to prepare their budgets in dollars. What happens is that when they present the dollar certificates to the banks they will be paid based on prevailing exchange rate, determined entirely by market forces.

Thanks for the info T22.

I actually got an offer at the University of Alberta(no funding) last yr but couldn't go due to funding and visa issues.Guess i have to try again and maybe rewrite my GRE (i scored 1150-v 650, q 500, writing-4.5, toefl 105)

I am wiser now. Thanks bro

^^^

Yes, CBN doesn't really pay that much. But for someone who didn't really spend much in his MBA (i assume MBA in India doesn't cost much) the offer from CBN is a good one for him. Also, masters degree holders at CBN start from assistant manager position, so he didn't really have to start from the entry level supervisory role.Being an assistant manager goes with lots of financial benefits.

Regarding the PhD stuff, i wish i can get a fully funded programme. My undergraduate degree isn't that nice (4.02/5 CGPA) and i am afraid i might not be able to get a funded phD with this miserable grade.

However, i would be glad if you could give a hint on any institution you know that may accept people with not-so-good undergraduate degree.

Just have to take my time to study this information before making comments. It's quite a long one.

olawalebab:
ABU zaria offers Health Economics as a field of specialization, that school has one of the best Economics dept up north of the country. Transport economics is one of area that is not fully explore. @chamber2, you can also compete well in Macro, or you just have more flare for intl finance.

I don't really have problem with any of these courses in terms of understanding them. I really want to make an impact in the field, not just an average joe with a masters or PhD Econs. I want a field where i can be one of the leading authorities thats why i want to go into a field where the level of competition is not that stiff.I would prefer in't econs, financial econs or in't business.

Jarus:
T22, when I read Obama's books, which he wrote many years before even becoming a Senator, I was equally held spellbound at that level of reasoning; it was as if he wrote the books a day to being sworn in as American President! He surely knew what he wanted and consciously planned and worked for it.

On the current subject, I had my first degree in Economics but I am today first an Accountant before Economist. In actual sense, not an Economist, because you need a second degree, if not Phd, to be one.

I have done Accounting(and a little investment banking) all my career but I have not lost sight of going back to Economics. I had an offer from Durham for Msc Economics & Finance in 2007 but deferred it and later forgot about it. Finally settled for Unilag for Msc Economics last year but later turned down the admission. Marriage has made this Msc stuff(especially going abroad) tight for me in recent time but I still have it in mind. I need to equip myself with a second degree in Economics(preferably specializing in Development or Financial Economics), then make a foray into the world of Economics.

As an aside, I made a casual attempt to make good my goal of entering an institution which day to day business is Economic analysis(Ajanlekoko should remember I have been saying this since 2009) by contacting current CBN governor(who is now a personal friend) on my goal few weeks ago but he was silent, and I guess, he, in his very principled self, sees that as opportunistic, even though I don't see it as such since I will go through the normal recruitment process. I also just ignored that side in subsequent contacts. I still have a dream to work in CBN, DMO or any other relevant agency if the pay is right.

Oga, this marriage thing is not an excuse o Msc econs in the UK is 1.6yrs and with your level of intelligence you can complete it within a year. My strategy now is to obtain an Msc Econs (9ja) and a PhD (abroad). I can't afford to spend another millions after spending such a huge amount in an MBA. Most of us self sponsoring our studies can't afford that exorbitant fees abroad anymore.

If you are eyeing top position in the CBN then you need an Msc or PhD. It's better you get it before being recruited because, even as a snr manager in CBN you are not likely to do any policy related job. Your work will still be routine, but with an Msc or PhD+your work experience, then you are likely to get into one of the policy oriented positions.

A friend just got into CBN after an MBA from India He is enjoying his life there.

I don't really think you need educational training in order to be proficient in these areas. Mere paying attention to historical events and following trends in the society will go a long way. The problem is that most of us are not just interested in who did what, when, why and how. These areas also seem to be boring, and therefore tend not to attract the brightest of the bright.

People like you, T22, who appear to have deep interest in mathematics, academics and may be sciences may find the study of history, society and law very boring and unexciting.

No wonder people who tend to be great leaders are not scientist or engineers. They are group of ordinary men and women who, consciously or unconsciously, developed deep interest in societal affairs, history and the operation of laws.

I think it all boils down to hard work, practice and information. Obama spent a greater part of his adult life working and speaking to people at the grass roots. He understood their problems, feelings and biases. No one gives what he doesn't have. It's not really about going to Harvard or any other uni for that matter. It's about passion, practice and patients.

Developing such level of oratory requires sound knowledge of history, society and maybe the law, and Obama is quite knowledgeable in these areas.

^^^

Methinks that's the best strategy now-exploiting untapped areas. The general Econs program most Nigerian universities run don't help matters. Apart from UI (i don't know of IFE, UNILAG ETC) that has a few specialisations others just go the general way.

personally, i am leaning towards international business, In't econs or Financial Econs. I so much love macro-econs but looking at the quantum of research in that field already, i don't i will compete favorably on a global scale should i follow that line. I am adopting the blue ocean strategy

^^^^

^^^

Can you throw more light on this ''doing PhD in the UK and working in 9ja'' thingy. Are there no residency requirements, classes etc? Or Is it via distance learning?And how reputable are the schools allowing such flexibility?

Is there no part-time PhD?

O boy, money is important oh

^^^

Seems you left Econs for something else. I am still considering a postgrad degree in Econs or In't business/econs

staceyo:
As an ecnomist,wat professional body can we join apart from the accountancy body.and also would like to purchase masters form but dnt want to do masters in economics,which other area can l specialize

You can try the CFA (Chartered Financial Analyst) or CIS (Chartered inst. of stock brokers of Nig.) They are both good for economist graduates, but the CFA is more prestigious and somehow difficult to pass.

If you don't want to do masters in Economics then try MBA. You can do MBA (Masters of Bus. Adm)and specialise in Finance, supply chain or any other area you consider necessary.

ijoseda:
Any Health Economist in the House?

Maybe you could start by telling us what Health Economics do. Health Economics is not a very popular area of Economics, especially in Nigeria. At the masters degree level in 9ja people do the general econs thingy and only specialise during their PhD or so. Only very few schools have various specialisations. Maybe the likes of UI, IFE, Unilag etc.

Do you have an undergrad degree in Econs?

Interesting discussion.

I wish the super moderator can take this to the front page. The issue of fuel subsidy seems to have preoccupied our minds now.

jay bee:
Off course i do. I always look forward to reading your posts on NL.
I'm sure I've asked you this down the years before but do you mentor peeps? I think you should

The issue of mentoring is what most Nigerian peeps are lacking. Aj has done well in this regard through the career section. I am also looking forward to PM him one day in this regard if he wouldn't mind

Generally, the current generation seem to be in a greater dilemma other than the issue of learning specialist skills. The schools are not properly equipped to train students on the skills sets required to function optimally in their chosen fields.  This kinda of makes them more confused of what to do upon graduation.

LBS--London Business School that's the one that was referred to here.

bukkytroni

I am completely humbled. Determination can surely take one miles away. Your contribution is highly appreciated. At least, someone somewhere has benefited from the information you shared.

Thanks for sharing

[s]I only wish our other experienced members can do same[/s]

^^
Exactly

The job market is becoming increasingly tough now everybody has to determine what is good for himself not following the crowd

Thanks violent.

You nailed it. I wish people will get to know all these and plan their entry strategy well, not packing loads of certifications. We in 9ja like certificates alot you know

Aj

Thanks for stopping by. When you say skills what exactly do you imply?Certifications or work experience or both?

bukkytroni

I would rather you answer my questions here

violet

you seem to be knowledgeable in this IB thingy. What would be your advise to someone with not too prestigious MBA who wants to get into the IB field; either in 9ja or somewhere else? LBS no be beans oh.

I am becoming very complacent about this CFA thing. It takes longer period and the pass rate is abysmally low. Also, everybody seems to be doing it now. I am considering a University of Durham Msc Econs and Finance in its stead.

bukkytroni

Thanks very much for this excellent piece. You did well to provide principles that will guide one to effectively move to the next level in one's career.

Good a thing you studied Physics. There was this thread for Physics graduates, all of them seem not to know what happens next after a degree in physics. They feel that the place of the physicist is in the classroom It will be interesting if you could share a little of your professional experience as physicist. Did you take any professional exams, postgrad degree or are you in a different field altogether?

happy new year