Hello people!

It's been three years since I last logged in...

Just thought to say hello

�

Hello everyone,

I have been away from Nairaland for most of the year. I also did not have access to the associated email address until today. I have tried to reply all mails in my inbox. apologies for being away for so long.

Wishing everyone a great career...

kalunomics:

Good day Darellrivers. I was searching for clues or any article that might help me in applying for the Common Wealth Professional Fellowship Scholarship

Hi Kalunomics

The Commonwealth Professional Fellowship is NOT a scholarship. It is aimed at "mid-career professionals from developing Commonwealth countries to spend a period of time with a UK host organisation working in their field for a programme of professional development" (http://cscuk.dfid.gov.uk/apply/professional-fellowships/).

Are you looking at the Commonwealth Scholarship (to go study in the UK) OR the Professional Fellowship (to go work briefly in the UK)?

happyday:

Seriously? And to think that you actually agreed to that! Well, turns out you're my model in more ways than one.

Agreed? It is the way we both wanted it oh...That was my own dream wedding and I had it...lol
Weddings are beautiful oh... but I personally just never saw the point in the fuss and pressure it puts folks in.

Thank you all for your kind kind kind words.

Abeg no vex say I no invite una for my wedding. It was a quiet one in my father's parlour- no wedding gown, no paparazzi, no expensive hall, no noise at all... pastor came and prayed for us- shikena we were married

I have been away for too long (again!!!).
For all those who sent me mails, I have tried to reply all of them this morning- please check your mails.

God bless you all

DMeanMan:

6. Most Motivational Joblander: Darellrivers

Thank you DMeanMan

kaycodes

Yours really is an inspiring story. Thank you so much for sharing.

Of Course, getting good grades can help get your CVs noticed, it is definitely no GUARANTEE that you will get a job or be more "successful" in life as a whole. Those of you still in school, do not, ever despise or look down on anyone you "think" you are "smarter" than (who even defines smartness self?). Although I made stellar grades in school, I am one who strongly believes that grades are not always a true reflection of a person's abilities.

Wish you all the very best through life

Hello Everyone,

I really must apologize for my very long absence here...

I got married quite recently and it is one of the many reasons I was "away"....

I do have a lot more stories to tell-and I have learnt a whole lot (Life, really is a learning ground). Thanks, again to xfire for starting this and inspiring many people.

As we keep saying on this thread, you do not need to "know" anyone or be a "big man's" child to go far in life.
I will keep you guys posted.

Regards,

Me

DrFunmi:
great write-up.
People like darrelrivers serve as inspiration for us ladies.

awww... Thank you so much for the kind words

Hello Everyone,

I am glad that this thread is still on the front page of the career section... I have been away for too long. I apologise to all those who have sent me mails... I have been quite busy adjusting to the hustle and bustle of Lagos life

TheCode:
Around this time last year, I checked the career section of nairaland and saw a thread captioned "ACHIEVING THE DREAM CAREER... etc", created by someone with the moniker 'xfire'. I decided to check out the thread and ended up becoming a disciple.

Since then, this thread has uplifted many, revived hopes and illuminated career paths. Even the nairaland '9/11' could not stop the movement - I felt it was over and I made a comment that reflected same when nairaland recovered and comments on this thread stalled. I remember thanking xfire and other contributors, and encouraging others who have surmounted obstacles to attain a noble goal to emulate his (xfire's) laudable desire to inspire others with his story, and finishing off with the statement that this thread has fulfilled its purpose and, thus, is entitled to a well deserved rest. But then the mission was not over. The thread healed like a wounded vampire and bounced back to life. Looking back, I am glad I was wrong.

To all the contributors, more grace upon you I pray. Darellrivers, [/i]you go marry better husband, I swear.[/i] To all who aspire to some noble attainment in any sphere of endeavour, I pronounce favour. Xfire, you thought you created a thread to share your testimony and by so doing encourage others... No bro: when you created this thread, you shone a bright light down a dark alley and put a sturdy ladder down a bleak well.

Happy one year anniversary to this resourceful thread!
Happy 2015 everyone!

wow... it is a year already...

Mr TheCode... how you take know say I never marry? I don tell una not to dey make assumptions make my husband no come catch you oh (if I am married)

Wish everyone the very best

Warm Regards

Me

xfire:
I have been mostly off Nairaland these past few days.
Funniest thing is that I have not been at work due to current PENGASSAN strike (I am a member of PENGASSAN by virtue of my place of work). However, it is difficult to plan ahead for a strike action as one will continually be on alert and monitor the news for updates.

Darellrivers, you are doing a wonderful job. Kudos to you. Keep it up.

And to others, keep moving ahead. Never relent. I will read through the thread and provide any input, if need be.

Cheers.....

I remain loyal sir...

oskaroni:

thanks pls check my previous post

I have given you a guide... you will need to do your calculations yourself. You will need to be very objective and goal oriented but you can very well achieve a 2.1

your final cgpa, as you know, depends on every grade you have gotten from your first year to your final year.

1.Get a pen, paper and calculator (or better still, a simple excel sheet ) get a list of all the courses you have done so far, the number of units attached to each of them and the grades you scored. Calculate you cgpa till date
2. Get a list of the course you are going to do in your 4th and 5th year with the number of units attached to each course (ask your seniors if you do not have a copy of your school's prospectus :-) )
3. calculate your future results making sure you have As and Bs in the courses that carry the most weight (as described in my previous post)

Do the possible permutations and combinations then, you will be able to answer your question... AND have a goal to achieve!

all the best

oskaroni:
so confused right now,CHECKED MY 300L 2ND SEMESTER RESULT, AND IT WAS 3.44...I'M STUDYING A 5YR COURSE, DON'T KNOW IF IT IS STILL POSSIBLE TO FINISH WITH A 2-1, can someone help with possible calculations. is the game over or not? help me with the calculations...please help a brother

I think it is still very possible for you to graduate with a 2-1. You, however, have to be very calculative.

Your cgpa is calculated based on the number of units and grade point...
A=5 points, B=4 points, C=3points...F=0 points.
You need to ensure that you ACE the courses with the highest units. getting an A in a one unit course is useless if you get an E in a 4 unit course.

For example, if you are doing 3 courses in 400 level first semester
course 1= 4units, course 2= 3units and course 3=1unit
if you get an A in course 1, a B in course 2 and a C in course 3

your GP for the semester will be (4*5+3*4+1*3)/(4+3+1) = 35/8 =4.38

if you get the same grades but reversed (C in course 1, B in course 2 and A in course 3)
your GP will be (4*3+3*4+1*5)/(4+3+1) = 29/8 =3.63

so, choose your battles well... Target the courses with the highest units and make sure you ace them... You do not have to get straight As but get the As where they matter.

Wish you all the best

Hello Everyone, I shared this story before the nairaland data saga (hmmm i like the sound of that-- ) and I decided to share it again.

[b]One day, a teacher asked his student “What are you going to do with your life?” The student was stunned for he loved this teacher and admired him. He had never felt such pressure from his teacher before. Stammering, this man replied, “I don’t know. Finish my studies and get a good job, I suppose"
“Get a good job,” his teacher repeated. “This is a phrase I have often heard. It is the single worst choice of your generation. Happiness is unlikely to come to the mind whose goal is to ‘get a good job.’” “Son,” this wise teacher asked, “Would you be interested in some specific advice from an old man who wished he had your youth and energy?”
“Of course, Doctor.”
“Look around you. Take a fresh, hard, and uncompromising look at life as you see it. Ask this question, ‘What needs to be done?’ When you have an answer, and it may take some time to get it, then go and do what needs to be done. Do it better than anyone else does it and the world will beat down your door for your help. Then you will not need ‘a good job’; and you will have more than a career.
You will have a mission.”[/b]

Many times, we focus on "getting a good job" and then when we get that job, we get disillusioned and want something "better".. Take the advise of this wise teacher (who, by the way, was the famous inventor, Buckminster Fuller) and really, "jobs" will come looking for you! But take heed... we need to all find the balance between AMBITION and CONTENTMENT

Wish everyone the very best...

onwards:


Ah! That's a great Idea. I'll definitely give it a deserving shot. I stand to lose nothing but to gain a lot. I can't believe I'm not paying a dime for these top notch professional advice.
Wow, so stuff like that can be inputted in cover letters?
I still have a lot of things to learn.

Oxford is a prestigious institution. You must have proven your mettle and more to deserve a spot with them. I'm spurred now. I'll definitely take your advice and I'll start now to work towards these goals.
I will mail you as soon as I complete writing the epistle mail. Thanks for granting me that privilege.
I am grateful.

That's the spirit... you still have one year to "prove your mettle" in school and a lifetime to be the best in your chosen career. Most importantly, a lifetime to share your experiences and help build others.

will be happy to hear from you.

onwards:


Thanks a lot for your timely response. It was therapeutic to say the least.
The reason for my desire to graduate with a first class honors degree stems from those three reasons you cited up there. The personal fulfillment part is, unfortunately, a really big part of it. I'm learning to cope notwithstanding and your reply has cemented to my resolve to get over it completely as soon as possible.
Regarding the job and scholarship aspect, to be honest i have little or no solid foothold as to how to go about them. i am inclined to think that their criteria will be different from the usual Nigerian university scholarships i'm used to. The tons of information online doesn't even help one bit. I keep sifting through them without actually making substantial progress but upon stumbling on this thread i believe all that is going to change. Information and knowledge are indeed super powers. I hope to keep learning from you all.

Now that i know those skills are for personal development (although I've always had the desire to master most of them especially the french language) i'll recondition my mind to learn them for the right reasons. No rush anymore but with a healthy pace.

Thanks for your best wishes. I will do my best to stand out whenever, wherever.
Happy sunday!

I am glad my post was therapeutic.

Now, there is something you can still do... You can decide to put in your best in your 500L and get the best results in your class... you may not come out with a first class but it might make you feel better if you have those bragging rights and you can even make it into an interesting story on your statement of purpose-if you are interested in applying for masters/phd abroad... something like "In my first (or whatever) year, I became disillusioned and wanted to move to chemical engineering, but as I remained, my love for the field increased and by the time I was in my final year, I had made up my mind to pursue research in this field. I ended up having the best research project and a commendation from my professors"

As you may have gathered from the thread (although the little I wrote was deleted after nairaland was attacked), I have a degree from the University of Oxford and it was a fully funded scholarship from the University (Fees+Living expenses). Here is my advice to EVERYONE who is interested in getting scholarships...

1. Know what course you want to do and know WHY you want to do it
2. Find out which TOP schools do your course (the richer the school, the higher the chances of funding)
3. Search for Nigerians who are in that school or doing that course in another school (trust me, Nigerians are EVERYWHERE).
4. Contact these people and find out their experiences

This was the advice I gave someone early this year and he sent me an email last week saying he is currently on a fully funded scholarship abroad.

Wish everyone all the best
Feel free to contact me (I am quite lousy at replying emails but will try to)

onwards:
Hi all,
I sort of stumbled upon this thread and i must accede, you guys are doing a great job here. so i registered to get better access to the experts in the field.
Alright, I am a 400 level student in the department of mechanical engineering and i'm in need of professional advice.
I got into school with the aim of graduating with a first class honors b.eng degree but unfortunately, along the line i just suddenly lost focus on my chosen career path. A part of me wanted to transfer to chemical engineering and the other wanted to remain in mechanical. The internal struggle took a huge toll on my grades and if i were to be honest with myself, a first class would be a tall order right now. I still stuck with mechanical engineering eventually.
I'm past the stage of beating myself up over that costly mistake and i am ready to seek advice on what to do[b]in order to fill up the vacuum a 2.1 grade will create in my future CV.[/b]
I'm considering learning a new language most probably french.
I also want to learn matlab, solidworks/autocad and p&id .
And finally I intend to learn a programming language (most probably Java).
I want to know from the experts if i'm towing the right lane or if there is something more i need to do to add some more colour to my future cv.
Your replies would be greatly appreciated.

xfire, darellrivers.

Interesting... when I read the part about costly mistake, I was expecting to see you saying you would be graduating with a pass . In many instances, a first class and a 2-1 give you similar opportunities. Although you may not attain your personal goal of a first, a 2-1 will also open doors.

Now, I am going to ask you a question. What did you hope to achieve with a first class? A job, A scholarship or just the personal fulfillment of finishing school with the highest possible honours? If it is the first 2, you are still on track with your 2.1 but if it is the personal fulfillment part, then you need to make peace with yourself- you can learn all the things you want to learn but it should be for personal development and not just for the CV. You will come to realise, as life goes on, that the race is not always to the swift. A first class is great but not a guarantee to "success"

I wish you all the very best in all you do- and keep being a high flier.

I just got a heart warming email from a Nairalander who is currently on a fully funded scholarship abroad.

The essence of this thread is to encourage young Nigerians... those who feel that the jobs and scholarships are for the children of the rich... We are here to motivate and inspire you... you can achieve your dreams. If we could do it SO CAN YOU.

Be inspired.

olujastro:
Ok guys, this is for my friend and former course mate. Apparently, he's d most confused guy ryt now. A mech eng graduate, concluded NYSC wit me(june 2013), and tried to get a job to no avail. He later got a PG diploma scholarship to do pet eng at IPS. On rounding off, he got MSc pet eng wit IPS as well as a $50,000 MSc pet eng scholarship to d UK. Of course he took d latter.
Now this is d ish: Just a day before going to d embassy to apply for his UK visa, he got an offshore job wit an indigenous E & P coy but as an operator dis time.
I can tell u dat dis guy is as confused as he'll right now! Please guys, ur immediate response will be appreciated.

I was in this kind of situation a few years ago (and i touched on this a bit when I told my story before the nairaland 9/11). I had a fully funded offer to go to Oxford University AND job offers at the same time. It was a big dilemma... Everyone around me told me to forgo Oxford and take one of the jobs (it was a really great offer- and in an organisation many Nigerians dream of getting into). I decided to try to "eat my cake and have it" as they say. I resumed at one of the jobs, summoned up courage and went up to see one of the directors of the organisation (note: I got the job on merit and knew no one in that organisation). I explained to him that I had gotten a scholarship to Oxford University and it would be impossible to defer that admission. I told him that I would add more value to the organisation if allowed to go...The director was very impressed and said "these are the kind of people we want in this organisation". He agreed to keep the job open for me to return after my Oxford degree. I finished from Oxford, got another great opportunity in the UK and I am back in Nigeria now AND working in that organisation. (they kept the job for me for 2years!!!!)

Bottom line is- NEVER GIVE UP... your friend can, like me, see a key decision maker in that organisation (they are humans) and ask nicely, if his appointment can be deferred. There is no harm in trying, the worst is that he will be told NO.

taiwolusol:


Good to know we have a superWoman in our midst

Super woman ke... I am just your girl next door

All the best

TheCode:


Bros, darellrivers na lady o (and a very remarkable one at that ).

You presumed she is male based on the quality of her posts, right? I and many others were guilty of that too (on this thread, before the nairaland '9/11'), and she encouraged us then to iron - as much as we can - the male-chauvinism creases out of our idiosyncrasies

Well darellrivers, and by extension, ladies, an igbo proverb says, "anaghi amu aka ekpe na nka" (meaning its extremely difficult to learn how to use ur left hand as ur dominant hand/arm in ur old age), but we the enlightened male folk shall definitely keep trying our best to be much more balanced in our judgement with respect to the above

May the good Lord bless ur hustle bros, and that of everyone on this thread.

lol... I noticed the "Mr. Darellrivers" and "sir" and just smiled to myself... It is very very amusing when people, by default, refer to me as "sir"... hehehe

taiwolusol:


What I mean is that the Next available NYSC batch will be in 4 months time(March Next year). The job I'm on is a Permanent Job and I know I can always make arrangements with my Boss to Make the Next year's NYSC a possibility.

I'm just reminiscing and all . Is the wait really worth it?.....

I await your reply mr Xfire. cc Mr darellrivers

Thank you

Since camp is opening in 4 days time, and you are (in your words) "almost certain to miss it", then there is no point crying over spilt milk. Do your job, plan to go in 4 months time... and see if you can serve in your current organisation.

wish you all the best
cheers

taiwolusol:
Mr XFire, I must confess my hidden love for your work, Ideology and Personality.....God bless you for us

So I have a very big problem. I feel I am beginning to come across as confused professionally. I need HELP.

Where I'm I coming from?
I'm a graduate of Mechanical Engineering. I finished from Lautech with a 2:1 this year(precisely May), I got engaged exactly a week after my final exams in School and left for Bonny to take an NLNG sponsored Naval Engineering welding training with Hyundai Heavy Industries. I finished the training in August and did what every sane graduate would do, I started applying for jobs. I was lucky to land my 1st Interview just a couple of days after my welding Training ended..

The interview was for a Technical Management Trainee position with one of the top players in the downstream Oil and gas sector. I did a couple more interviews and my job search was brought to an halt after about 2 months of serious search.

Yes, I got the Technical Management Trainee job
I'm presently a month into the job and I'm liking it....

Here is my problem sir, as you may have noticed, I'm yet to go for NYSC. Camp opens in 4 days and I'm almost certain I'll miss it. Sir, is it really worth it? Waiting another 4 months to commence the 1-year long scheme.

The other problem is my radical approach to job search. I'm seeing greener pastures everywhere! As a matter of fact, I recently received a trainee process engineer Interview with Weam and Company Limited in Portharcourt and I'm already contemplating going. I'm confused...... Please Sir, I need your Advice

Hello Sir,

I know you addressed this to x-fire but I would like to add my "2 cents". Getting a job is awesome BUT (in my opinion) you do need to serve (NYSC). You said you finished the welding training and are now in the Technical Management trainee job? I do not understand the part about waiting 4 months to commence NYSC- is your job a "permanent" or "contract" one?

Whatever it is, you do need to do the NYSC. if it is "contract" job and your contract is expiring in 4 months, then by all means, wait for it to expire and then commence NYSC- afterall, medical professionals have to WORK for one year before commencing NYSC. If it is a permanent position, and as you say, you are enjoying the job- then, maybe you could speak to your boss and get to be posted to work/serve there (nothing really is impossible).

Wish you all the best

petengine:
hello xfire et al

please can this email bassey_essien@yahoo.com be used on a CV? am asking this because of the underscore sign.
thanks

I Don't see why not

Jesuspikin7:
Good day xfire!. Its been quiet long. My account vanished after nairaland got hacked so I haven't been around for sometime now.

Remember the young man who wanted to change from pharmacy to chemical engineering? I am the one and all I can say is that I went ahead with my decision to take jamb and I passed it as well as the pume thus was given that admission. It was a long painful process but I am glad that at least I was able to arrive at a juncture where I had a picture of the future I want to venture. Your objective responses to my questions really helped me in ways you can't imagine. It really broadened my foresight. God bless you Sir.

Darellrivers sorry to disappoint you. I had to do it. I made my choice(discovering you graduated @ 20/21 yrs was indeed the last straw that broke the camels back) and I am ready to face whatever comes with it. thanks for your kind responses I still got vital tips from you. God bless you ma'am

My regards to everyone who helped in one way or the other with vital informations. Discovering nairaland for me was like discovering a manual/road map which I lacked or was deprived of all my life and for that God will bless whoever owns this set up! #shalom

Congrats Emanresu700 (I guess?).

You did not disappoint me oh... I am glad you have made your decision.

Wish you all the very best

Jesuspikin7:
Good day xfire!. Its been quiet long. My account vanished after nairaland got hacked so I haven't been around for sometime now.

Remember the young man who wanted to change from pharmacy to chemical engineering? I am the one and all I can say is that I went ahead with my decision to take jamb and I passed it as well as the pume thus was given that admission. It was a long painful process but I am glad that at least I was able to arrive at a juncture where I had a picture of the future I want to venture. Your objective responses to my questions really helped me in ways you can't imagine. It really broadened my foresight. God bless you Sir.

Darellrivers sorry to disappoint you. I had to do it. I made my choice(discovering you graduated @ 20/21 yrs was indeed the last straw that broke the camels back) and I am ready to face whatever comes with it. thanks for your kind responses I still got vital tips from you. God bless you ma'am

My regards to everyone who helped in one way or the other with vital informations. Discovering nairaland for me was like discovering a manual/road map which I lacked or was deprived of all my life and for that God will bless whoever owns this set up! #shalom

Congrats Emanresu700 (I guess?).

You did not disappoint me oh... I am glad you have made your decision.

Wish you all the very best.

Legacy44:
Hello everyone

Pls ds question is directed @ xfire, jarus and everyone with useful info abt NIM, ISMI and IPMP. Pls which of these is better in terms of trainin, certification and recognition.

I will be extremely grateful for helpful responses.

Dear Legacy44,

I have absolutely no idea what ISMI stands for so, I am in no position to tell you which has more recognition. (Thanks to google, I now know that ISMI is International Strategic Management Institute). However, I can tell you that a certification is (almost) useless if it is not relevant to what you are doing (well, in most cases ).

I have some questions for you- Why do you want to do these certifications? to learn or to increase your chances of getting a job? Which one ties better with your career goals?

In other words, I am asking you to base your "rankings" on utility and relevance to your field or to you as an individual.
All the best

DAMILOLAOBEMBE:
GOD DAY I JUST SAW THIS POST... THOUGH ITS BEE POSTED A LONG TIME THOU , HOPING SOMEONE GETS TO READ MY REPLY.
I HAVE LIVED IN UAE FOR 3 YEARS AFTER 2 YEARS WORKING EXPERIENCE AND BAGGING 2 MSC DEGREE IN INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS MANAGEMENT WITH MARKETING : STRATEGIC PROJECT MANAGEMENT CONSECUTIVELY , I DECIDED TO COME TO MY FATHERLAND AND PUT IN ALL LEARNT INTO NIGERIA CONSUMER ENVIRONMENT.
HOWEVER IHAVE LOOKED FOR A GOOD JOB FOR A YEAR NOW TO NO AVAIL.

MORE OVER I HAVE A CATCHING CV AND COVER LETTER SAYS HR CONSULTING COMPANIES IVE BEEN TO ; I KNOW MY STRENGHT AND CAREER FOCUS. BUT I CANT GET A JOB. SADLY I HAD TO SETTLE TOR A CONTACT JOB AT ONE OF THE BANKS TO MEET PEOPLE AND NETWORK MY SELF... SADLY I GUES NIGERIA SYSTEM IS STIL WHO YOU KNOW THUS CWE WHO STRUGGLE TO GET A GOOD EDUCATION TO PLOUGH BACK IN NIGEREUA CANT GET A DECENT JOB IN 2014 BECAUSE WE KNOW NOBODY.

KINDLY TELL ME WHAT TO DO.
THANKS

Hello sir,

Congrats on your double masters, foreign experience AND for coming back to Nigeria.

A few years ago, when foreign degrees were scarce, many companies jumped at them. These days, however, it is increasingly difficult for people with "foreign" degrees to get jobs anywhere. They cant get jobs in the countries they finished from (depending on the course they read), they decide to come home and discover that the very competent "home" trained graduates are getting the jobs.The problem with many "foreign" graduates is that they feel they are doing Nigeria a favor by coming back. The truth is, for many, there was NO other choice as the competition is stiff everywhere in the world.

Have you tried sending some speculative applications? Identify organisations you would like to work for, do some research and get the contact of someone inside the company (LinkedIn can be helpful here) and literally "Market" yourself. Chances are that if you send this to 20 organisations, at least one will call you. Just make sure you read up about the organisation(s) and tailor your CV(s) and cover letter(s) to suit the organisation(s).

Wish you all the best.

cc150615:
nd I wonder why these first class ppl won't go to pressid nd leave Commonwealth for us,I know someone who got it last year too but he has a first class, it is well o,I guess me nd u are kinda in same shoes Anyway.

Because as good as the Presidential Special Scholarship Scheme for Innovation and Development (PRESSID) is, it is still not as prestigious as a being a commonwealth alumni... Actually, it is wise to apply for more than one scholarship- so the wise ones will apply for the PRESSID, commonwealth, worldbank, PTDF etc