₦airaland Forum

richmond500:
Baba u too much, I went through this ur posts.

I want to ask, what's the average cost of living over there? I am not coming as a student though

Living where?
Port Harcourt, Kingsville, Bay Area or Austin metro?

Dremca:
What happensif you don't pay it, will it affect your FICO score. How efficient is using electric car (not necessarily hybrid or plug-in hybrid) in terms of durability and cost of charging the battery because you did complained of high cost of fuel in california.

I believe they'll send it to 'collections' and it will appear on your credit report even if you still pay it.
Another option is to sue you or do small claims court.

I don't do electric cars simply because I am too busy to go sit somewhere to charge it.
It is a beautiful technology and T3sla has successfully forced other car manufacturers to get into EV production.

The first question is, how good and promising is a career in Industrial Engineering?

zealousayo, nothing is sure in this life but industrial engrg in the US gives a promising and rewarding career.

The second question is, can someone with a bachelor's degree in Mechanical Engineering do a Masters degree in Industrial Engineering?

Yes, and it was a direct admission in my case. There was no need for pre-requisites.
I had a Nigerian Bsc in Mechanical and got admitted to 5 schools for Industrial.

chloride6 and LegendHero made very good points which I would like to elaborate on; more details but also a summary.
In no particular order, the field can fetch you careers as:

1. an Industrial Engr with a focus in a) Process Improvement b) Quality Engrg c) Ergonomics and Safety systems

2. a Manufacturing and Process Engineer in multiple industries

3. a Project Engineer with a focus in a) Risk Assessment b) Scheduling c) Engrg Economic Analysis

4. a Supply Chain (SC) professional with a focus in a) SC Program Management b) Logistics c) Procurement d) Operations Management

5. an Analytics Expert, Operations Researcher or 'Statistician'

One can do a combination of these roles at the same time.
This list is inexhaustive and I lumped together closely related career paths. This will give you more areas to do your homework on.

Finally, I know two Industrial Engrs that currently work as Software Engineers.


If you can set your focus on studying in the US, you'll be amazed at how far you can go and what you can achieve. Follow the link to the USA student visa thread and go learn a lot about how the process works.

I am working on escaping the $5,200 charge for ending our lease in California.

There must be several options I have thought to myself...
So I set out to discover new things.

Will send an update on lessons learned whether or not it works.



I don officially escape California finally.

please I have some questions. I notice you said you had to give up trading stocks and your beloved crypto. (1) Just wondering why you gave up trading?

2. While studying were you still able to trade?

3. If yes to question 2, how were you able to combine trading and studies.

4. Do you know people in Engineering career path that also trade part time and how are they coping with both.

5. How possible is it for an international student to sustain his/herself with profit gotten via trading the financial markets.


I'm really anticipating your reply Sir.

As a student, you are forbidden to work or engage in any business not sanctioned by the Office of International Student and Scholar Services (oisss).
Every school has this department and they have direct authority to declare you out of status.

Those trading were done post graduation as a permanent resident.
I stopped the "gambling" so I could concentrate on building my career which was a "sure" path. As we can see, it has paid off very well.

I still buy crypto monthly, it easily allows me send money to Nigeria.

Floda, your questions plenty like jamb

I go come read am later when I don chop belleful.
Still unpacking from the move to TX.

Yhasf:
Good day guys ,

Kindly recommend a good school with Master's in Industrial Engineering program for fall 2022,below is my profile ;

Bsc: Chemical engineering (2014)
WES:3.39/4
GRE:319
TOEFL:To be written next month
Experience:+6 years experience
Intended schools:South Dakota school of Mines and Engineering,Texas A&M-Kingsville &South Illinois University.

Thank you .

Each individual is in the best position to decide on what schools work best for them.
Consider : tuition/scholarships, school prestige, location, prospects post graduation etc etc.

By the way, your GRE score is tantalizing.

KingBade:
Congrats MackyNaija, been a silent follower of this thread. Please I would like to seek your opinion on this, I have a degree in Mechanical engineering and an MSc in Industrial Engineering here in naija, I'm looking to apply for a PhD in renewable or sustainable energy in the US. Do you think this study area is good considering the US market and opportunities. Thank you

Hi KingBade, this is not a direct answer to your question as I have limited knowledge about Phd programmes and/or sustainable energy.

* Go search for ch33ky scientists, he addresses everything about PhDs.

* There are numerous under the radar fields people don't talk about:
Renewables/Sustainable engineer - majorly batteries.
Thermal engineer - as it affects power consumption + cooling
Hardware engineer.

My advice would be to go on a US jobsite, find some job title you feel are applicable and reverse engineer them.
See what they want and see how you can achieve those skills.

Congratulations Boss on your new role and everything you've achieved, you're indeed a motivation.

Any advice for some of us in the Social sciences, e just come be like say we wey no study science go waste our time for school.

Thank you all.

All hope is not lost, your major plan will be how to get a visa; getting admission is quite straightforward.

After getting a visa, you can switch courses within your school or transfer to a new school or get admitted into a new school/new program...

Look for courses in Analytics, Logistics, Supply Chain management... You might be admitted directly for these and they are closer to the sciences.
Na there my knowledge reach, you might discover something new.

My wife says "you can be whatever you wanna be"; my guy with UK masters in Engineering don start Medicine (now a citizen though).

There are courses we have never heard of that will easily admit you as a social scientists either from Nigeria or once you arrive - become a Mungo Park, go and discover them.

shagamite:
eeeeeww OMG, i love this. To achieve this in 4 years in 9ja is like a pipe dream haaa again Dollar don pass 500 like dz. Naija which way

Na Yankee we deh..
The Land of Opportunities!

This is so beautiful to read...SO HAPPY FOR YOU...All your hardwork is paying off and God is doing it.

Followed your advice and got an admission and scholarship to study Masters in Information system ( Data Analytics concentration) at East Tennessee state university come spring 2022.

Your story is so inspiring...God bless you and your family more.

Yankee here I come in January!

You are on the right path to success!

That's a very good course! Try all humanly possible not to fall out of status and you'll be fine.

Richdee1:
How you take apply for this scholarship of a thing sef?
Is it fully Funded scholarship?
Looking for how to apply for Masters or PGD in Social work

MackyNaija any link to check out for ma field or Study?

Where I have some knowledge is in the Engineering field, there's a USA student visa thread on NL.

Go there and see how people go about searching for admission, scholarships and visa.

See as I Dey smile like babe wey Ph boy dey razzle...you be my biggest motivation since 2017... Congrats on all your achievements and growth.. God go help me too japa for this country
Listening to Victor AD - Motivation

Thanks Sir.

The greatest battle is psychological. If you win it, every other battle is won.

Keep dreaming..
Keep believing..
Choose a reason not to give up and "Surprise Yourself".

See as you give am randy Orton RKO bad guy.

No be say I no get difficulties or problems no deh Yankee o but as it's widely known, problem/issues different from inconvenience.

Inconvenience na when means deh to solve any problem wey person get.

The only color I see is GREEN.

Weldone bruh, you are really motivating us here, May God bless you more and we looking forward to a journey like yours, God will answer our silent and loud prayers.

Congratulations! Yankee is not about who you know in top positions but what you know. Truly is a land of opportunities. How about the T€sla position you applied.

The thread is serving it's purpose...
To keep us all motivated and to push us to "Surprise Ourselves".

To do what has never been done before and shoot us beyond limits we thought were possible.

Thanks Sir. . Abeg, try leave naija if you still deh there. The polithiefcians have killed the country.


For Tesla, yet to get the invite for the next stage. Still waiting but e no fit hard pass any interview wey I don do so far.

Now playing: R1ck R0ss - Push It.

tell us about racism.

The country and it's people are soooo racist...

- they offered me admission to 5 top schools in 2016, 2 or 3 were with scholarships
- they granted me a visa and entry in 2017
- they offered me loans to chase my dream in 2018
- they awarded me a graduate degree in 2019
- they offered me conditional residency in 2019
- they offered me a Senior Engineer role in 2020
- they offered me jobs and progressively gave me career growth till date in 2021

The ones wey I never mention: my mama see visa come my graduation, Rx350 big man motor for Nigeria, a beautiful daughter, a sweet wife, 2018 Camry, permanent residency...
Next year, planning to buy a house for about $400k ...


I no achieve 1/1000th of wetin this racist country give me under 4 years when I deh the country of my birth.

I'd rather take this racism than the tribalism, favouritism and nepotism in Nigeria. Thank you.

Ah.. people dey reduce their salary to comot California una dey increase una own ... Macky, God dey answer your mother prayers well ooo

You are very right! The plan was to chase the same salary I was earning in California or slightly less but it happened way better than anticipated.
Truthfully, I got "lucky"!
***WHERE luck = "opportunity" + "preparedness"

Gist deh:
First stage: HR Questionnaire with over 10 questions on why I am looking for a new job and how my experience fits into each of the job requirements. (very easy, no pressure)

Second stage: Hiring Manager
Asked behavioural and general questions + one rugged brain teaser about light bulb and switches (my head wan catch fire) She gave me a hint and I answered the question. (relaxed $ easy)

Third and Fourth stage - Technical, Wednesday and Thursday: Senior QE (about 8 yrs experience) and Principal QE (about 25 yrs experience).
The 4th stage was more relaxed! Person wey go give you job no go stress you! (normal difficulty for both). I knew that if I passed this stage, I'd get the job.

Up till this point, I was interviewing for the Senior QE role.
The decision to assign you to the Senior or Principal role would depend on your ability - Na then I sense say hot pepper deh wait for me for front.

Fifth/Final stage: Senior Quality Manager and Director of Quality...
I was called on Friday morning around 10 am by the manager to see if I could fix the last video interview for the same day...

***I had previously learned on Nairaland that when an Amer1can asks you "Can you get this report ready before close of work?" (No be question them deh ask you), it actually means "I need this report ready BY the close of work".***

...the Director wanted to go on leave and he'd like to conclude the interview if I was available and the Hiring manager said "you cannot prepare for an interview like this so moving it to prep will not help you, its either you know it or you don't".... Na so our two burst laugh!

The interview: Case Study (very high pressure)
The package holding the question and spreadsheet was sent 10 minutes before the interview (Nothing like take-home presentation). Here, nobody can save you, if you no know am, you no know am and you die well.

It was an excel sheet of data that had to be analyzed: Chai! My bread and butter! Same shi I have been doing almost every day and at a minimum thrice weekly for the last 24 months!!!!!

**I started.. shared my screen and had to say my thoughts aloud so they could access my problem-solving/data analysis skills... Na this kind thing I deh like, interview to separate wheat from chaff. Test of true ability.

In 30 minutes I was done with the analysis and summarized my findings which I sent as a mock email to a VP.

Kai! I struggled to hold back tears of joy on the video call as I knew I had blasted it!

The Director said Excellent! They had used this same data for multiple people and no one had ever analyzed it like this.
Oboy! Cold catch me... That was when I realised the position of Principal Engineer was looking possible.
Principal level is a role that requires 8 to 12 years of pure QE experience but I had dismantled it at roughly 7 total years of experience, - less than 3 as a QE!!!

When I hear the salary on Monday morning as HR call... my brain jam! Wayyyy over $100k. If you know how much G-wagon be, na around that amount be the salary or solve the math below.
If G-wagon = $x , 'Hammer' Factor, Y = 0.95 to 1.15 and Macky's salary, Z = $x * Y
Find Z [abeg forgive my nonsense equation, na over happiness cause am]
I don hammer for this country! An amount I never thought I could earn as an annual rate in my entire career as an Engineer here.
Words cannot express the joy!


The future is bright. We are overjoyed! Paccus, manage this pishure!
Cali Gas price na $4.69, Texas Gas price na $2.49.... Everything go deh on sale for Texas!!!

Completed a Tesla first stage interview 10 minutes ago for Senior Quality Engr...

Any interview I do at this stage, I MUST get an offer. E too sure for me as I have put in the work to have all my angles covered.

There's nothing they'll ask that I haven't covered by working in 3 companies, 3 ASQ certifications or in my MSc.


My "intensive background" check that lasted almost two weeks for the Principal Engr role just cleared today.
I am good to go!!! I received the email : Your background check has been completed, "Welcome to Fortune <50"

Paccus:
That one na over 10 million for Naija ooo .. Macky you have a daughter now.. Congrats Bro... So your wife will also have to find a new job too which is also less income for the family : This Texas journey expensive really ooo

Yes na, fine girl wey sharp like me

We get plenty sense o..

She already got a new job with a higher title and 23% raise, and mine is a 28% raise with a higher title.

We don blow! My wife say everything for Texas go be like say e deh on sale as per California wan strangle us.

Thayoreey:
Thanks for the reply boss, what do you think about robotics, because i think it has a broader scope

For field of work, yes but...

Msc Electrical, you don't want to be in a tight corner trust me.

I am currently in the process of moving myself, wife, daughter and mother in-law to Texas...

Budget for the move is approximately $20,000. Expensive like crazy!
My guy say na house down payment amount be that.


MAJOR expected Cost Breakdown:
End lease - $5,200
Prorated rent - $1,300
Ship property - $6,000
Ship two cars - $2,500
Rent new place - $2,500
Flight tickets - $1,000

Still have car rentals, hotel stays, feeding and numerous miscellaneous expenses.

That's the price I have to pay for financial freedom.

Thayoreey:
Congratulations to you on all your achievements so far, it's so amusing how you're able to make such a huge progress within a short period of time and i most say you're a big motivation to me.

Since you mentioned electrical engineering as one of the fields easy to get into, can it also be extended to automation?

Thank you.

i. Do not go too streamlined, study general Electronics as the course, you can specialize in whatever you want (as a minor/an option). Resume should show MSc Electronics or Electrical.

ii. Do not do a direct Msc Automation. Your priorities might change later depending on what you meet on ground.
Are there jobs in that axis? Are companies willing to file for you in that line?

Stay flexible, Stay fungible and Stay nimble but do not be a Jack of all.
Is this advice not conflicting?? Me sef follow confuse!

You might even end up as a Software Engineer... Shey na for this Yankee naim the hustle deh?


Wish you Success, never give up! Keep your soul yearning for greatness!
Now playing : Emin3m - Higher

BelieverDE:
Thank you so much for this fantastic insight; I never knew this was possible.

Do you still think it's possible to make switch departments if I have been accepted as a Graduate Teaching Assistant, or a Graduate Research Assistant?

Yes tou can switch, but you'll lose the TA/RA from the first department.

ProfDave123:
Boss please how do you see the biomedical engineering sector in the US? I had Bsc in Medical Laboratory Science but I'm more inclined to engineering and working towards biomedical engineering.

Hello Dave, I have very little knowledge about this field.

BelieverDE:
Similarly, I have attended a webinar where two persons studied Petroleum Engineering at Bsc and Msc levels but still got jobs as an Operation Manager and Business Analyst respectively.

Na una wer get IT & Engineering background na e cor enjoy am pass.

I went online to see how I could tie my discipline to Industrial Engineering but I couldn't. The closest is Civil Engineering. I guess I'll have to go for any management related course such as Energy Management or Supply Chain Management.

i. You can get admitted in Civil Engineering; a related field easily helps during the visa interview.
ii. When you arrive, you'll do 1 semester (pick courses close to the department you finally intend to end up).
iii. Before the second semester starts, ask to switch departments (schools are very flexible). They might accept 1 or 2 out of the three courses from your first semester.
iv. You get approved and make the switch. Two guys who I schooled with switched from Civil and Chemical to Industrial, a lady did the same from Chemical.

As I have said before...

Try not to be a Jack of all trades...
Choose a career path and stick with it.

You cannot be a serial entrepreneur, data enthusiast, medical doctor, and professor of linguistics at the same time - you'll not be able to focus and go deep.

I got into/picked Quality in Electronics and stayed on it. So far, if resumes that apply for a job posting are ranked, mine will come at the top.


2019 after American graduation: Applied to >250 jobs, 1 interview, 1 offer

2020 after 1 year American experience: 30 applications, 2 interviews to final stage, 1 ghosting, 1 offer

2021 after 2years American experience and multiple certifications and achievements shown on my resume:
11 applications, 4 interviews (2x first stage, 1x final stage, 1x scheduled after I accepted an offer)
I believe I could find and withdraw 3 applications (those at resume screening stage)
Cancelled 3x interviews (those at first stage)
Accepted 1 offer


I applied to multiple Amaz0n supply chain operations roles and prepared for their interviews that never came. I learned a lot from their Leadership Principles and their thought process...
They'll hire you if you are better than 50% of those currently in that role.
So,Choose a path and be better than at least 50% of the people doing the same work.

I have chosen to be better than 75% of people in my field irrespective of their years of experience.

That blood tonic above is too hot
I bought it as a way of trying something new..

Recommendation is to stick with the model below, the port cask... Easier on the brain.

Paccus:
This books are expensive oo.. I remember when I wanted to buy one for certified quality Technician.. I run

$100 on average. As I work full-time and earn in dollars, na simple matter.

Buying it as a Nigerian in Nigeria and earning in naira, then it becomes a big deal.

Wrote and passed my Amer1can Soci3ty for Quality certified Qual1ty Audit0r (CQA) exam today! (will talk about lessons to be learned here)
Done writing ASQ certifications, now I can 'claim' to be a well-rounded quality professional.

I don buy blood tonic for the pains
Blood tonic + chicken laps = replenishment of Red blood and Brain cells

BelieverDE:
Finally finished reading through the thread!

Many thanks, MackyNaija for your thoughts, advices, CV tips and more you shared here. I am amazed at how God Almighty has blessed you and how you also do your best to give back.

#Till_We_All_Win_No_One_Has_Won

I read about you and @salford discussing the future of the Oil industry. You guys opined that the future in that industry is bleak, and you also admonished us about not studying a course where there are few opportunities that will make one compete even with the locals.

I studied Geophysics for my B.Sc, and I would like to consider other non-hydrocarbon related career paths after my M.Sc. I am considering options in Environmental Geoscience/Environmental Engineering. I will appreciate your advice in this path.

Call it bias or whatever you want but I'd say: go for Industrial Engineering.
After Computer Sci and Electrical Engrg, I believe Industrial Engrg is the next best course in Engineering with lots of opportunities.

Luck also follow for the matter, I have been told of a naija Bsc Petroleum and yankee Msc Petroleum guy that got a job here as an Operations Manager in Amaz0n Supply Chain operations.
On a good day, that should not or would not happen.

The softcopy offer came in this morning... Woke up and saw the email.

Yearned to leave to a lower cost of living state...

I applied for a Senior Engineer role, and added a Principal Engineer application as a leap of faith...

Had in mind to haggle a few 'units' into 6-figures as salary...


Now here's where the madness comes in :
1. Got a role in Texas
2. Fortune 100 company
3. Got the Principal Engineer position
4. Haggled a few 'tens' into a 6-figure salary
5. Will be working directly with a C-suite executive (Director)

But..
All I wanted was to go to Texas! How my head no go burst!??

Oluwa too much!!!
God wey do am for me, go do am for you too. Keep pushing, never give up!

MackyNaija:
Back for 5mins from my hiatus..
Too little chance to 'celebrate' it as I am busy cooking something.

This Cali, we MUST comot!

This has been my greatest ache for the past 2 years; getting da forck outta this state.
My wife says I mention it every day.... That's because the financial damage is massive and what I say I need to achieve, I work towards it and achieve it.


As una deh see this my write up ehn.. I don mad for here!!!
Completed a 5 stage interview process on Friday with a Senior Manager and a Director and was called today by HR and the Manager that I got the job in Texas!

omo men... I made it!

Mcslize:
Very interesting. What branch of Engineering is that? I guess it's Engineering Manager or Project Engineer?

Mcslize:
This laptop pressing Engineering, is it a new branch of engineering or something? Just joking .

But what's the job title/role of this lap top pressing Engineering branch per se? Just curious!

When I worked in the oilfield, it was well known that "the closer you are to the well head, the 'poorer' you'll be overtime when compared to your peers doing office roles".

The Sales team in my current company will not allow Manufacturing engineers talk to customers. Them say them no get correct packaging.

So I am closer to top management and do customer interfacing; it's cleaner than assembly floor task and my inputs to the business are more visible to top management.

Na Quality Engineer I be.