₦airaland Forum

Kingsleyinfo: I was surprised to login into my Nairaland account and still found this topic going strong.

As usual we have some person's who their only specialty is veering of topic, without giving any meaningful contribution, and am gonna direct this at them with no apologies.

1. The question asked is "How did you survive with your poor grade after the university?" rephrased by me.
Its not the right place to lecture anyone on how they should have made a better grade while in school, the question is in the event that the mistake of a poor grade has been made, what next? How do you navigate your way through.

2. Secondly this is Nigeria, and we all know what obtains in our educational sector today, if we were to begin analysis on the standard of education and the conditions in which many of us went through school, you wouldn't need a sooth sayer to tell you that a vast majority of Nigerian graduates are just acquiring paper qualifications and no tangible skill to back it up with, whether its a 1st, 2nd or 3rd class, and I say that with all confidence. So please spare me the issue of class of degree, I am tired of the hypocrisy already. 95% percent of lecturers in Nigerian universities repeat their questions, another 85% collect bribes. Assignments are copied from friends, examinations are mostly collaboration, and computation of results are done negatively.
Trust me the ills in the educational sector will take years to cleanup if at all it would ever be attempted. So forgive me if I no longer respect your class of degree, the process that produced it is simply not credible enough for me. Have you ever wondered why every tom and harry company is offering graduate trainee positions, and pegging the minimum requirement at 2.1? please go do a research on it, I bet you the truth will open your eyes to a whole lot of rot in our educational sector (technical roles aside). I could go on and on about everything that is wrong with the Nigerian attitude to education, but I guess that analysis is better left for another thread.

3. In Nigeria you need to understand the system to survive, this has nothing to do with your level of intelligence, it has everything to do with how smart you are or can be in every given circumstance, A straight A student can get into a typical Nigerian university and still make a 3rd class reasons are; Lack of understanding of the system. You can manage to gain admission into the university and still manage a 2.1, if you understand the system. This system varies from one university to another, and once you understand it, making a 2.1 becomes the easiest thing to achieve, the reason most intelligent students failed, and many not so intelligent ones made great grades all boils down to understanding.
The few who were intelligent and smart enough to also make the good grades are the ones who ace tests and interviews, infact they are the ones who can actually defend their results, and go on to become top managers in their respective fields, because they have the intelligence to back up their excellent academic performance. They are the ones who come out of the university, and despite their good grades are doing everything to improve their chances of becoming successful. infact they are leaving no stones unturned in their life's pursuit.

Having said the above, let us now look at the topic at hand.
A lot of people here are hitting the nail on the head, which is to say, grades can and will only get you an audience, thats about what it will ever do, what gets you the job is a combination of how intelligent and smart you can be on any given day.

So if you missed out on the almighty 2.1, you are in a tough spot, but you stand at an advantage, because this is an opportunity to re invent your self. In reality, its not gonna be easy, to get a job, which you desperately need, except you come from a well to do family, who are willing to keep you afloat till you get another degree or hopefully a masters. If you are in the latter category, then consider yourself blessed, but if you are in the former category like majority of Nigerians fall into, then welcome to reality.

REALITY 101
1. Forget about getting into any of the big coys by merit(directly) as a fresh graduate, these companies have policies/softwares that will screen you out at the beginning, no matter how intelligent you are. (this is where you will begin to wish you were as smart as that your not so intelligent colleague who made a 2.1 while in school)
this is your time to be 'smart' the backdoor is your surest route, I really don't care which door you have to open through the back, as long as it is legal and does not conflict with your moral codes, please by all means get in, don't mind those 2.1 holders crying foul of having been cheated out of their birthright like their father owned the companies. Meanwhile also bear in mind that your chances of getting in through the backdoor is very slim, but keep plugging away you never can tell when God would make one manager open the door to take a leak and as you are there knocking, he just might open and say come on in "What can I do for you?" Well like they say the rest is history.

2. Experience is your best ally, if at this stage you are still not willing to start small, then it means you don't just have a third class certificate, you actually have a third class brain as well. Wake up and face reality, remember you are dealing with a system that focuses on paper, but the small companies focus more on skills, passion, and attitude. Use this to your advantage. While you keep your eyes on the big coys, take the opportunity to develop your skills, by getting a small job if you can find one, or setting up a small business, but by all means keep improving. Its worse enough that you have a 3rd class, you don't want to compound the problem by remaining stagnant, show a prospective employer that you are doing everything to make a difference.

3. Networking, this is the time to network like mad, use all the social media to advertise your skill set, stop broadcasting meaningless messages on your facebook profile or other social mediums, as fun as it looks to post crazy pictures and make stupid comments about issues you have no idea about please follow this rule. "it is better to keep quiet and be thought stupid, than to open your mouth and remove all doubt" in essence what I am trying to say is that, be original and be real, someone might just be watching you closely. Remember out of the abundance of the heart the mouth or rather hand typeth... forgive my KING JAMES English. Linkedin is also there for you to use and every other online platform you can think of. Secondly, its time to rebuild old bridges you might have burnt back in the days due to youthful whatever you people call it, Uncles and aunties you know in your heart you have offended, friends and colleagues you might have wronged, even ex girlfriends can become your ally, if you play smart and sincere. Remember, a well connected individual can get you positions that your PhD cannot get you, this is Nigeria, I know people that are being paid millions just to answer phones in SPDC customer care department, don't be decieved my dear not everyone working in a multinational is carrying out some sort of specialized function. The keyword here is NETWORKING, and with the right contact anything is possible.

INTEGRITY. Please notice how I put this one in bold letters, in all that you do please and please always let your integrity stand out, I have had more opportunities in life from being honest in my dealings, honesty pays, thats if you want to be successful on the long run, be a friend that people can trust and rely on, as corrupt as the country is, you will be amazed how much people still value men and women of integrity, don't be tempted to go with the crowd, be your own man and stay true to your word. Positions of responsibility are usually given to people with integrity. Except in some scenarios e.g politics e.t.c

Time will fail me to continue
Hopefully I can modify later and add more content.

The bottom line is the Excellence is a spirit, and when you acquire that spirit, it doesn't matter if you have a 1st or 3rd class degree, what counts is the excellent spirit that is at work within you.

The race is not to the swiftest neither the battle to the strongest, its the Lord that showeth mercies.
Finally if you don't have Jesus Christ in your life my dear you are already making the biggest mistake of your life, but the good news is that its never too late to make the turn, and commit to him, watch him transform your life and give you the right attitude you need to succeed.

Only God can teach you Life's lessons that schools will never teach you.[i][/i]

bro you have said It all. Ur comment is very encouraging and it will go a long way in helping my confidence. Thanks

Spicy v@ tanx. Dat will b great idea

harlyon: Start with NISP 1and 3
Go for IOSH Managing Safely-you can do it online
Nebosh IGC
That is if u want go into the safety profession

thanx a lot. But pls what the meaning of NISP? Do u no any reputable organization where I can run dis program nd hw much will each costav thanks once again

Blackberrydude: chai porting back to football till new season start for basketball i have really made a lot of money from bb am gonna miss it oluwa please dont allow football to wreck me oh. @monsuru make we meet for corner for tht stuff na? Cause boiz are not smilling oh

pls bro y av u decided †̥ port back †̥ football. Wats wrong wif bb inplay

harlyon: You can go into the safety profession with any degree.the most important thing is the certifications.it matters d most inrespective of what you studied in the university
You can start with NISP certifications,den IOSH Managing Safely.
The most sought after is the Nebosh IGC but its quite expensive

tanx for your contribution. Pls I am a graduate who studied geology nd currently serving nd I plan †̥ run some professional courses †̥ boost my opportunity in d labour market kus I didn't come out wif a gud result(3rd class) pls wich courses do u advice me †̥ start with? Tanx again

queendynamite: Hi every one, after my nysc 2011, I registered with NISP @ ikeja to obtain Hse 2&3 certifications which was successful. Before I started the program, I learn that, by the time you get through with d program, they will assign u to oil company, construction company, and other reputable company to work with but, when I got through with my friends, we realize that, they don't offer any job but rather promising!!!! Why??

I guess dey just wanted u guess †̥ enroll wif dem. Pls how much wad Hse 2 nd 3? Nd is company running d program gud? Pls reply

Tanx all for d numerous contribution.. It will help in a big way...

sanandreas: i just know it will be geology. my broda brace-up we know wetin dey. 30 percent of my course mate are currently in pass,20 percent thirdclass, 40 percent 2:2, 10 percent 2:1. Dnt limit ur self

tanx bro

sylbaba: I am writing frm phc. Was an ivy student frm primary schl. Had scholarships till univ edu. Was meant to study medicine,had 2mrks off frm d cut off. Friend talked me into doing geology. To be frank, neva liked dt course n ended up stayin 6plus 1 yr in schl instead of d normal 4 yrs. Made third class. Neva hid my identity. Knew dt wasnt d best of my ability. Did oracle at niit, was d best in my set. Even b4 nysc finished,had offers. Nw work in an oil firm in bayelsa n doing exceptionally very gud just 2yrs i finished nysc. Neva doubted in my self,had 3rd class - knew it,but it never weighed me down.

tanx for ur advice bro. It will realy go a long way. Also studied geology nd came out wif a 3rd class. Currently serving. Well I just nid †̥ no. Is it beta †̥ find a job after service or †̥ run sum prof courses?

Spicy v and all@ thanks for ur encouragement.
Actually I am a 3rd class graduate who studied geology and I am currently serving. For so long I av been thinking of what next to do after service, but I have not been able †̥o come to a conclusion. Well †̥ b frank with u guys I am tired of d whole skooling system, so I don't plan to further( pgd nd msc) although I no it aint gonna b easy †̥ get into d labour market but I believe wif God everytin is possible. Most organization don't invite 3rd class holders for exams so I know it aint gonna b easy.I have been making enquires about some proffesional courses like H se nd some oda bt dey are quite espensive(excluding h se) . Generally I don't no what nxt for me. Will really like †̥ a proffesional in my course of study.... Pls any advice?

Saint chukz@ pls I am also a graduate who studied geology. Currently serving nd am also ina delima. Cud u b kind enough †̥ share wif me ur mail so I cud mail u.
Emmyflexy@speaking frm a geologist point of view u shud av an interest in a perticular field. Mayb environmental geology, remote. Sensing nd photogeology, and so on . So u nid †̥ no wat u want exactly b4 u get confused.