₦airaland Forum

Sagamite:
Look at Kweku Adoboli. He was black but rose to the top quickly. Within 5 years, he moved from back office analyst role to front office senior manager role making £350K a year and spending £5K a month on renting a one-bedroom apartment.

First of all, to get to that senior front office role from a junior front office role takes longer than that. Not to talk of from a junior BACK office role.

Secondly, it is extremely rare to have someone from back office transitioning to front office. Talkless of transitioning to front office and accelerating.

But he, as a black man, did it.

Sagamite:
There was a career booklet (TARGET) produced by Guardian newspapers about 8 years ago to advise university graduates.
Fortunately, it contains a survey of what backgrounds graduate hires have, based on their ethnicity.
Unfortunately, I only have it in hard copy. Because it is only in hard copy, I have never thrown it away, it is still in my apartment.
Now let me show you how it is an advantage to be black in the lower levels PLUS how blacks are still lagging comparatively to other ethnic minorities by looking at some of the most prestigious industries.

Investment Banking & Management graduate hires
Indian British - 9.8%
Black British - 8.5%
Pakistani British - 3.3%
Chinese British - 18.5%

In ALL, Blacks exceed their % of the population. But these other minorities even do better than Blacks.
That means, whites have below their % of the population.

Thanks for this Saga.

Yes, I wanted to address the earlier point you made about swift career progression of Kweku from the BackOffice to the FrontOffice, but this is going to be purely from my experiences and what I've seen for myself.

Kweku's progression really isn't that unusual in the Investment Banking environment if he joined in on the Graduate Scheme. I too joined in on a similar scheme shortly after obtaining my Masters Degree (another point I'll address). You don't even need to have that much experience as a Graduate Trainee but you must demonstrate the drive, motivation, and of course, good grades to back you up too.

Regarding the graduate scheme I was on, it ran on a series of (optional) placements. I say optional because although not mandatory, graduates were encouraged to broaden their experiences by working in different areas of the bank. For those of us in Investment Banking Technology (IB Tech) we had to run with that position for at least two and a half years, out of which it was mandatory to spend at least one year in a particular role (the first six months to get to grips with the job and the latter six months to demonstrate what you've learnt / deliver the goods). Hiring managers were made to understand that such graduates could move onto any area of the bank they so wished, irrespective of what their performance rankings were once their one year tenure was up (but obviously, if you were completely crappy at your job, you'll get an awful reference feedback and any other potential manager could choose to hire or not hire you at their discretion - it was subjective, if you get what I mean).

So potentially, those of us in IB Tech could out of those 2^1/2 years rotate 2 or 3 years. Some chose to remain were they were and others chose to explore. I think (can't remember) for those in Operations, their tenures were shorter. 6 - 9 months was all they needed in a particular role before moving - based on the assumption that working in Operations was far easier than Technology. Additionally, graduates were encouraged to network with others including potential hiring managers via any one of the numerous corporate bonding activities, social events, lunches / dinners / Friday evening pub quizzes / get-togethers. There's so much I can't list them all. So it's very possible that Kweku could have been an extrovert who easily socialized and was able to network efficiently. His progression isn't that surprising either.

On the graduate scheme it's been Analyst --> AVP --> VP --> Exec Dir --> MD and onwards. On completion of the graduate scheme, if you did well, you become an AVP and shortly afterwards a VP all in the span of 3-5 years. If you came in via the non-graduate route, it'll be Analyst --> Associate --> VP --> Exec and son on.

Now, to the bit regarding the type of uni one attended. Sure, employers will always actively source out high performing graduates from top elite schools but that doesn't mean they don't look elsewhere. I got my first degree from Naija (UNN) and then my Masters degree from a not so great Uni over here. Infact, I tried my best to get into schools like Imperial College (like my dad did way back in the 70's on scholarship), but for where. It was tough. Of the six Universities I applied for, five said "No". I was so upset, I didn't even read my mails for a month and nearly missed the sixth one that offered me a place. But guess what, after I'd accepted the offer, I found out that my school was at the bottom of the league table. Saga, bottom oh! not last but one, or third to last - but the very bottom. It didn't help either during the course to see my course mates drop off like flies. Of the six of us who started, I was the only one from that set that completed the darn course and got my degree (thanks to my dad's encouragement). He used to say the Uni wasn't as important as completing the course successfully. "Just get your certificate girl!" was what he told me.

Anyway, my point is: yes, my Uni was crappy but what managers look out for when interviewing someone, (i.e: apart from their qualifications, experiences, and interpersonal skills) is whether that person will fit into their team. It's subjective, I know, but they silently ask themselves "can I work with him / her?". So yes, my school wasn't that cool or anywhere close to the Russel Group of Universities, but you know what, I held my own beside all those self-indulgent pompous twits posh kids from posh schools / backgrounds, and bagged myself a "posh" job. Lol!

Oh, one more thing: For my particular intake, I think we were 30 in number of which there were 4 blacks. 3 black girls and one black guy. I sometimes think we were carefully "race-selected".

Black girl1 - British Passport holder
Black girl2 - American Passport holder
Black girl3 - French Passport holder
Black guy - Nigerian passport

But funnily enough, we were all Nigerians (ethnic backgrounds) apart from the French girl. So I guess this might tie in with your statistics. I don't know what the % of blacks were for previous and subsequent intakes, but I'm guessing it might have been something similar.

moca:
I actually enjoyed reading this.
Very deep and concise.

I did too. Love the way he always puts his points across. Straight to the point. No waffles or beating around the bush.

Sagamite, nice one - thanks, but there is an area I don't entirely agree with you on. Will come back to it later, after mass.

free2ryhme:
Your thoughts.

This has got nothing to do with skin colour, but rather an ignorant person (whoever snapped that pic) trying to show off with the little they have.

People need to understand that in this world we live in, not all fingers are the same. Rather than make mockery of others wallowing in abject poverty, DO SOMETHING to help. If not the parents, then for the kids.

Not only is this picture distasteful, it highlights the photographer's level of ignorance and massive inferiority complex. A mixed race kid is no better than a black/darker skinned child by any means. For all you know, the nákéd kids could be smarter on several levels, starting with their survival techniques.

Finally, some intelligent talk.

Nice one, Tearoses and Damiso.

@Sagamite, Jaybee3, and SirShymexx: I'd love to read your views on institutional racism in the UK from a working black man's perspective. Is it truth or myth that the ceiling of achievement for certain highly paid positions are mirages / made of glass? And that the doors only swing open for just ONE black man, then get firmly closed off against more of our men?

I am cheating today. Big time.

Will run it off tomorrow.

motigbademi:
Pls the up loader should delete this picture. Plssssss

So sorry for your loss dear.

Ask the mods to delete that post and close off this thread. Explain to them that it's your sister and you lot need to grieve her passing away, but also require privacy to do this.

Ishilove will understand, I'm sure.

Once again, my condolences.

(sigh)

Chillis:
Lol. Hian. My own pikin no pass their due date. Once the date given to me by the doc is there. Normally they say 2 weeks before or after. I no dey wait 2 weeks after I go tell them to induce me. Piikin wan stay pass him rent for my belly.
No way.

Lol @ staying past rent!

Chilli, I wore a size 10 dress and tanktop jumper today o! Size 10!! Oh-la-la...will tell you all about it this weekend.

Night-night dear.

Chillis:
Yay.

I was thinking you didn't. Had to remove as I saw one kmb viewing

Lol! I did babes.

You look good. No. You look very good!

Oya make I go baff 'n look for some leftovers yo eat. Too tired to cook. See you during the weekend.

Chillis:
I see 3 guest and o pella viewing .
Oya me I ping you somewhere else

Chai!

You sure say you don born pikins, chillisauce??

See how the belle just flat! Omoge-sisi-eko, fine-fine-skin-no-pimple!!

Moi is totally inspired. You look good mami

Chillis:
EfemenaXY

Seen!

Chillis:
Edwife
Cococandy
Efemenaxy
Naijababe
Kimoni
Bukatyne
Moca
Damiso


Make una pls assembly here in 2hrs time to see my six pack.

I hope I won't be seeing any guest peeping sha.
Howdy

Honestly, you're worse than Babyosisi with this your attention seeking.

Oya show face. Na b/cos of yours truly I've logged on in here mid-week...

opella:
Good morning dear, congrats on your new weight. Please I have a question, how do you manage stress, eating clean and exercising at the same time, don't you feel weak or sick? I noticed lately that I feel so weak if I exercise and eat clean too, or could it be cos am still breastfeeding?

Thanks dear.

I think you're doing too much too soon. Cut down on the exercises for starters. Secondly, sounds like you aren't nourishing your body enough - and you're breastfeeding. How old is your baby? Did you have normal delivery or C-section?

Eating clean doesn't mean you have to starve your body of essential nourishments. That explains your weakness / tiredness. But mist importantly, you need to sleep girl. Getting enough rest is just as important as exercising. You need to give your
body time to recover.

There is no rush. This is a lifestyle you're adopting for life hopefully, so pls do go easy on yourself.

Exercise is meant to reduce stress. It's an outlet, but you've got to do it in moderation. If the tiredness persists, then I suggest speaking to your doctor.

damiso:
spirit of laziness indeed

wanted to do JM this morning but by the time I woke up after pressing my snooze button I realised no time esp with tube strike. I sha quickly did 50 weighted squats, 4x reps of 40 secs plank jacks and 20 press ups.

Will try to get some more exercise in after work, fancy some outdoor activity so maybe I will go for a run/jog later in the evening.

I don't know how I will cope with the darker nights in the winter cos I prefer outdoor running/jogging to running on the treadmill. but I cant let some psycho stalk me on this crazy London streets and parks.

Lol @ psych stalker!

Yeah, been thinking about that one too. I can't see myself compromising my run for anything else. How I go do am during the working week at winter? Short of begging hubby to come jog with me (for protection), I can't think of anything else. Or maybe I should go by myself one mean-looking Alsatian / German Shepard.

So you went to work during the tube strike? I worked from home oh! Till 12 midnight. Got to the point I was so tired that while drafting up a doc, I was intending to type *** administration but instead typed *** nursery school. You see ma life?

And lemme confess, for the first time in months, I ate Eba and Ogbolo soup that morning. Can you imagine it? Infact, I can't take the blame for that. I blame hubby for cooking that wicked soup, and London Transport for holding that tube strike.

opella:
Thanks dear, yes I lose weight easily and gain back easily too.

I try to watch what I eat and I know am trying but bread is my weak point, I don't know if I can stay for 2 days without eating bread.

Lucky you.

When you get to my age, you'll find it's easier to add and difficult as hell to shed even half a pound.

I swear, even smelling certain foods make people like me pile on the weight. I'm sure of it.

damiso:
I have lost count o.. I think Saturday was my Day 21 and day 5 of Level 2 not too sure.I also did a 5k jog/run in the morning

Yesterday was ....... :-XI on the food and exercise front.

I sha did 50 weighted squats with my 2.5kg dumbbells and 3 sets of 40 secs planks in the evening( make I no lie it was all the guilt of cake, jollof rice and malt I ate) but no energy to do JM.

I lost 4kg in July ( 82kg to 78kg) my target is 71kg( which is the healthy BMI for my height) so I am hoping to do better in August.then I want to body sculpt and maintain after that.

Food has to be super clean so help me God( all this holidays,owambes,bbqs,birthday etc are not helping sha) but I am trying to be super disciplined this month. I am in this group where people are using calculator, measuring cups,calculating the calories in even veg portions( although I agree that fruits are a tricky one due to the amount if sugar trying to limit to or 2 a day ) I nefa discipline reash that level o . haa make person no come dey worship this body and vbecome OCD. I am getting scared because I tend to become OCD about certain stuff. My daughter has started telling everyone ' that's unhealthy and will make you fat ' and I know say na me.


Naijababe oya come should we should mix up the 30 abi is it 90 day shred with some Azonto?

You are so disciplined oh!

I now feel even more motivated than before sef. But you know what, once you've come a very long way, you'll never ever want to go back to where you were when you first started on your healthy living / weight loss journey. For me to have come down from 92kg to 69 kg nor be beans. I'll never forget how I used to huff-and-puff just to bend down to buckle or unbuckle my shoes while sitting.

I was even beginning to have joint aches. Imagine getting completely out of breath from climbing a few flight of stairs with just a handful of shopping? And to think I used to be a lepacious 55kg at the time I got married? Men, I soooooooooo totally let myself go. I cringe now when I think about all the 'poisonous' stuff I used to eat. Hmmmm....still surprised I never came down with type 2 diabetics / high cholesterol / high BP.

God is good sha.

queen47:
Hahaha....i still be learner ooo.

Wetin we go call the likes efemenaxy and that other lady....e be like her monika na babe2( some thing like that).

A girl's gotta do what a girl's gotta do.

Queen oh! I stepped on the scale 3 days ago and guess what? My reading was 69.99kg!!!

And a day later, it came further down to 69.0kg!! ***Dancing Azonto here***

But I know what's caused it sha ....STRESS!

So much stress from work to meet deadlines and hand in deliverables. Been doing very early morning starts, finishing late nights and not getting more than a couple of hours sleep. But you know what, the more stress I got, the more I exercised like crazy. I mean I had to. The environment I work in, it's not uncommon for people to turn to cocaine or commit suicides. So my own stress relief na to hit the streets and work it all out.

I never for once missed my 30 mins lower-abs workout / sit-ups and 30 mins run every morning. Still do my 30-45 min swim class and 1 hr run on Saturdays too.

Breakfast has been nothing other than a squeezed lime and lemon in a very large glass of warm (almost hot water), 4 or 5 cherry tomatoes, and sometimes, a couple of cucumber slices. Lunch at work has religiously been cold salads. All greens available - lettuce, cucumbers, broccoli, shredded carrots, sweet corn, grilled chicken pieces, mackerel, chick peas, green peas, and half a spoon of pasta - if space still remain to add am. Oh, and a teaspoon of olive oil. Then two bananas for tea and a litre of water for the whole afternoon. We've even got a scheme going: buy 4 get the 5th one free. Got my fifth free 1ltr bottle of Evian water today.

More fruits in the evenings and anything else - but definitely no rice / yams / poundo, etc anymore.

69.0 kg...Yayyy!!

CC: Chillis / Chilisauce, I don enter the 60's group oh!

moca:
Nne,i don pass six weeks na.
I'm afraid I accumulate a lot after delivery.
Baby is not helping matters too.
Too much vomitivomiti so I'm always with him.

My area is very good for running but who will stay with baby na?

And my treadmill is not here.

I dey envy u guys o.
All d processed sugar I ate towards d end of preggy is now reporting.
I'm so olobolicious.
Did some aerobics for like 20minutes now.
Will continue nwayooly until my body become flexible again.

Women dey suffer o.

This is just too funny!

OlafenwaMoses:
Most Nigerians always love odd news ..... so you don't feel satisfied with the story just because those absurd scenarios doesn't take place.

Most Nigerians love doing absurd things. That's why other Nigerians love reading about their absurdities.

ifyalways:
Back to thread, Ladies its summer oo.

Whos planning on going lingerie shopping? I definitely am. Any ideas,pictures anyone for 'orobo" ladies ?
EfemenaXY,Edwife,Moca,Chillis, oya fall in.

You aren't fat Ify.

bukatyne:
Hi ladies,

I know it's been a super long while.

Just think it is better we build our thread than keep gate crashing the guys' and getting thrown out

We can discuss topics and Stuff

Cococandy
Edwife
Chillisauce
Beevan
Naijababe
Babygirlfl
EfemenaXY
Moca
Kimoni
Greatgod2012
Tearoses
Ewuro
Toonoisy
MarvellousGod
Phema
Freecocoa
Sambarry

Sorry If I missed out on your Username

Imagine this!

So Bukky, they drove / sent you lot packing on the grounds that you lot aren't intellectually capable to hold down an intelligent conversation with them - and instead of holding your ground and proving them wrong, you hightail, with your tails firmly tucked between your legs, and meekly (submissively) oblige...only to come here to talk knitting / boy-friend saga / idle, non-substantive, female chit-chat??

I feel sooooooooo insulted. Infact, c'man take ma name off that your list jare.

At times like this, I seriously miss

~ Debrief
~ Aisha2
~ Ileobatojo
~ Jennykadry
~ Carefreewannabe
~ BabyOsisi a.k.a BabyMama.

Chillis:
Any one that has received the following double double blessing should contact me for tithing and thanksgiving.

If not, I go take am back dash someone else.


Kimoni
Cococandy
EfemenaXY

[size=28pt]Damiso[/size]
Naijababe

[size=28pt]Tearoses
Edwife[/size]
Bukatyne
All ye fitness people trying to look more seeexy. .. be ready to take whatever the outcome

I dey wait for testimon'y of 3 set of twins .

Make una begin mark ovulation period.

The male amongst us are not left out.
Watch out for wife or girlfriends.

Even the peepers. Miracle is on the way.

Chillisauce is never wrong

Now I know say you nor dey wish me well.

I don't want that kinda blessing. Infact, I jump am pass, dash you in quadruplicates.

Edwife, Damiso, and even Tearoses desperately need am. Infact, they're well over due sef, starting with Damiso (twins), Edwife (triplets), and Tearoses (quadruplets - all boys)

Chillis:
You no serious .

Oya let's swap.

Where is efemenaxy !
What's she up to?
I hope she is not hiding behind the closet eating Agege bread

My dear, abeg nor vex. I've been crazy like Kilodey. Work's hectic so tey I nor know whether I'm coming or going sef.

Agege bread ke? Far from it.

Anyway, howdy? I hear say you dey dash out blessings in duplicate, triplicate, and quadruplicates

naijababe:
House, I am looking for a live-in au-pair o, I don tire to dey search for internet.

Going rate in Aberdeen is £80-£90 per week but negotiable small sha.
Full board will be provided with the job. Abeg una UK people help spread the word, one yeye agency wa collect £360 as finder's fee

cc: edwife, idowuogbo, damiso, tearoses, efemenaxy, r231 & jaybee.........Ayam desperate o and my ijebu brain nor gree pay that finder's fee nonsense

My dear, I don't do childminders or au-pairs. Never have and never will. I'm just to skeptical to trust them.

I've only ever done (top-performing, Ofsted rated, grade 1) nurseries and my little girl's in full-time nursery (yes, even during the hols) and it costs us...me actually - £200 per week (7:30 a.m - 6:30 p.m) Mondays - Fridays.

But that your £80 - £90 per week is nothing na. A whole gbo-gbo Scottish big gal like you? Abeg make we hear word jare. Just dip your hands deep into your pocket and pay the £360 jare.

tearoses:
Ha!
nursery round here is 1k full time o!
Waiting list gan is another story
I dont know of anyone whose kids got a full time place
some even put their kids names down when they were pregnant
I dont know what is happening o!

Guilty on all counts!

Yes ma'am, I did that too - several times over. No time for 'swegbe' (slowness)

^^ Nice!

Chillis:
I see one guest peeping ....

Maybe next time.

I kept it for long though .

Yimu.

You be real Waffi babe.

Abeg, see you all during the weekend jor. Night-night.

moca:
Fine ma


Efe darling, sorry o,tag me weekend,i will show u.


Abeg, my tummmy just dey increase.
Fat everywhere. Too much sitting down.
I tried tummy exercise but where I had cut was paining me. Is it too early to exercise d tummy?

I seriously need to burn down.shuu!

Babe3,oya,come and couch me.
I no fit do ms Micheal or insanity exercise now abeg o.

How can I get rid of 13kg?
Is this possible?
I wan be lepacious.

You had a C-Section?

Men forget exercise oh. Nothing for you before 6 weeks.

It took me months to recover. Months!

All you can do now is to talk walks. And keep brreastfeeding too. It helps to contract the uterus.

firestar:
Yes na. I still dey.
No Tsunami will douse my flames.

How are you and fam ma chère?

I'm good dear.

You still into churning out poems?

edwife:
Lol don't worry they gonna leave.i wasn't pleased myself yesterday.

I like the way we are ,I don't feel comfortable with some peeps so I had to go too.

Hopefully they won't come back.

Change your lotion.

Na you dey attract them hia.

Your fault.

Chillis:
Efe still dey somewhere dey analyse and dissect naiaraland thread.

Nne, I be wan log out jare.

Make I wash all the pancake commot for face.

Need my evening bafffffffff....

Moca baby, I see you oh!

edwife:
Yah,how is it my fault?

I didn't call them na,they happen to follow me as we also had a crowd yesterday.

I know.

That's why I'm gonna move on jare. Don't like crowds.

I prefer a nice, peaceful life. Just like the lonely roads Chilli rides her bike on.