₦airaland Forum

electronic:

Congratulations. Welcome to Amelika

Icon4s:
My brother, it was really tough getting a job as a Geologist.

Often times we were put in the same pool with Engineers and sat for same tests. I got that info early which was why I used my NYSC to study physics and further maths. I saw a couple of such engineering questions from the GMAT I bought in NYSC camp. I knew they were questions knowledge of physics and Engineering maths could solve.

Talking about IOCs' preference for foreign degrees. Yes, that has always been the case from time immemorial especially considering our fallen educational standards. But a good number (most) of current industry workers, at least those I know, that got employed from the early 2000s to 2010 got in with a Nigerian B.Sc.
We did not even have masters.

The only company I knew that required M.Sc was ExxonMobil.

I wrote She'll twice, I wrote Elf also.

For She'll from the 10,000 of us that wrote nation wide only 100 of us were called for Shell recruitment day . That is what they call their interview.

I didn't get to the interview stage of Elf. We learnt only 3 people were taken nation wide.

In the NNPC recruitment of 2007 , 1000 graduates were employed. Over 500 engineering graduates/technicians/operators and just 12 Geoscientists(Geologists and Geophysicists)
NNPC put geoscientists and Engineers in the same pool and conducted same test questions. They called it science and Engineering test of which over 80% were Mechanical and Electrical questions.

Companies like Schlumberger, Halliburton, PDL also put Engineers, Geoscientists and Physicists in the same pool and conduct same test for them. You see, you also competing with Engineers.

To work as a Geologist in the Industry you really need to be at the top of your game.

You are right. I didn't know Nigerian oil and gas industries only want a Bachelors to get in. It is a minimum of a masters in the USA. The two of my friends who got into CVX and Shell have a masters degree. In any case, be your best at what you do to make a difference.

I sent you an email. Check your NL account.

Zeng:
This school was actually suggested to me. I figured I would easily get admission here then get a transfer to a different school, when I won't be choked up with work and trying to keep my application under cover. It took me months to do this application, which was simple compared to others I saw, just because of lack of time. I work from 8am to 6pm on weekdays and still work weekends, so even finding time to even apply and write the TOEFL was a huge stretch.

I think its too late to change schools now cos my interview is in less than 2 weeks.

I hate to say this but you really have to convince the VO for choosing a school such as the National University.

Good luck.

Zeng:
Hi everyone, I was admitted into National University, San Diego, for a Masters degree in Computer science. My first degree is from UNIBEN, Computer Engineering. Please what do you think about my info?
GPA: 4.27/5.0 (Don't know the actual GPA cos I wasn't given by the school, but this is based on my own calculations)
GRE: None (not required by the school)
TOEFL: 107/120

Number of schools applied to: 1 (but I researched and made enquiries in other schools)

Why NU?
What attracted me most to this school is its unique one-course-per-month format used which will allow me to focus better on learning each course without distractions. Also the Computer science department has several professors who have degrees from some of the best universities in the country and would provide me with the knowledge and practical skills needed to succeed in this field

Sponsor: My Aunt (who lives in the US but a different state)

Why I changed course: While studying in my undergrad, I realised that I enjoyed and did better in programming and software architecture courses. So I decided to focus on what I had better potential in.

Plans for after study: I plan to return to my country and develop software for educational use, interactive software that will enhance students learning.

Please rate. Is there anything I'm missing?

Why National University? Your profile is too good for such a school. I would shoot for a very good school if I were you.

segunojo866:
yes bro

Washington State is a very good school. You will enjoy it especially if you're passionate about geology.

Congratulations to everyone who got their visas approved. Reading people's transcript gladdens my heart a lot.

Good luck to those interviewing soon too.

Icon4s:

What an interesting story. I see that you were able to get in because you know your stuffs. Imagine if you couldn't use the microscope or identify forams or fossils when brought in for the last interview. You could have missed a golden opportunity. I like your final year project, I also worked on the Dahomey basin myself studying the limestones for my undergraduate thesis. If you don't mind, I would like to connect with you outside of here, maybe Linkedin and rub minds together. Thanks for your comment. I am very sure the younger and aspiring geoscientists would find it so beneficial.

Reading all the comments has further confirmed my belief that it is tough to get an entry level position in the Nigerian O&G industry. From my findings, it appears those who entered the industry pre year 2000 are the lucky ones. Those who got in in the 80s and 70s are even luckier. It seems as though the oil companies are no longer interested in Nigerian trained geologists. At least going by their recent recruitment exercises.

I am a geologist myself. Many of my classmates couldn't get a job after we graduated. Less than 1% of us who are still in the industry got our jobs only because we schooled abroad. One of my friends who had a first class couldn't get into Chevron until he got a scholarship to study at Herriot Watt for his masters. Same thing with my friend who got into Shell. She got in only because she went for her masters at Manchester. This is so sad but it's what it is.

All these oil companies during the boom (2000-2012) go to top UK universities to recruit from there. In 2012, Exxon Mobil targeted USA graduates and invited me and some of my friends to write their aptitude tests in their North Houston office. Their plan was to conduct interviews a day after and pick successful candidates. Their requirements was that applicants must have a 2.1 or its equivalent in their first degree and must be graduating or just graduated from a USA university in 2012 and must have observed the mandatory 1 year NYSC. I didn't go for the test because I already got a job at that time.

How I got into the industry
I'm not sure if this would be helpful since I didn't get my job in Nigeria but will say it regardless - It may help someone. After I graduated with my BS degree. I couldn't get a job after NYSC. I decided to further my education in one of the top federal universities in the south western part of Nigeria. I didn't like the structure of the program and decided to go to the US to further my program. It turned out that was the best decision I have ever made my whole life. All of my friends who stayed and completed still couldn't get into the industry as I am typing. Anyways, I got admitted, traveled to the US, got my degree and got a job. I applied for so many jobs and attended so many interviews and got plenty rejections too but for some reason I was happy even with the rejections. I was happy that I was still considered given the many applicants that applied for jobs. Meanwhile, in Nigeria, you won't even make it to the testing stage talk less of interviewing.

The industry standard for an entry level geologist position is a masters degree or higher in Geology. So I will advise whoever targeting the industry to get a masters degree and if possible outside of the country and in top UK schools or elsewhere. Just like others have said, this is a very bad time for geologists and the oil industry. Companies are not hiring like they used to. Many that were hired were fired because of the price of oil. Personally, I advise people to consider engineering (not petroleum) instead of geology. I am working on a PhD in Engineering myself while also working full time. This way, if petroleum doesn't pay again, I will have an engineering degree that can open doors in other sectors. It is so difficult to get into other non oil industries if you have built your life around oil. This is why those laid off are unable to find jobs out side of oil because they can't transfer the geology knowledge to other sectors. In contrast, engineers (excluding petroleum) can work in other sectors because of their engineering background. This is just a personal opinion, others may not agree to it. But at the end of the day, whatever that makes you happy and put food on the table is what that matters.

KillerFrost:

Han Han

Walspring:
Its been a long time prof and i was expecting to see your post on this..

I have been coming around whenever I get a chance. We have been operating lean lately, so work load has increased + I have to work on school. Its been crazy. How have you been?

TWoods:
In my experience, it's been the other way round. Yes lots of bachelors degree engineers were laid off with the downturn in oil prices but the rest of us are doing just fine, we get raises, fly business class around the world...

Here is my point - do whatever it takes to put yourself in a position to be the best you can be. If that means getting only a bachelors, that's fine too. All destinies are not the same. When all is said and done and it's time to return to your ancestors, let it not be said that you did not achieve all you were born to achieve.

You are right. I guess it also depends on a company policy and many other factors. In 5 years; I have survived two acquisitions and 3 layoffs. Like you said, it all depends on positioning yourself well.

Are you an Engr. ?

Ph.D. talks:

In the upstream sector of the oil and gas industry; technical professionals do not need a PhD unless you want to work in R&. Most engineers - whether reservoir, drilling, production, facilities etc. only need a bachelors to get a job. At most, they get a masters in petroleum engineering or other related fields. But many of these engineers usually get an MBA if they decide to get a masters. For geologists with a Ph.D., you will be hired and posted to the exploration department if you don't want to do research. In the industry, Ph.D. holders are seen as too analytical and scientific, they turn everything into research which is not good for the oil business which cares about production, maximizing profits, time bound and operating in safe environment. Although Ph.D. holders are paid more than their masters counterpart but they are the first to be laid-off the moment the price of oil and gas drops as we are currently experiencing. In all of these, experience counts a lot.

Brilliant contributions folks.

Chapecoense:
all right.. Thanks, pls is it competitive to get into? Looks like very few uni's offer the course as a major.

"Competitive" is relative. If you meet or exceed their minimum requirements, you stand a good chance of getting in.

Good luck.

Chapecoense:
Please anyone studying Environmental management and disaster prepardness? Is it a good course at undergrad level in the US?

Yes, it is.

In the last two semesters; I have taken Optimization methods, Integer programming, and Probability and statistics with R as part of my classes. I find the statistics and probability with R class more challenging. Personally, I think any one who can do well in an advanced statistics class is smart enough and would do well in any complex mathematics classes. So I think hardeorlah won't find the complex maths classes difficult.

But truth be told, mathematics is so difficult. I didn't get to know until now. I thought I'd seen it all with the math's classes I took in my undergrad and the GRE maths. I think the real maths classes are the graduate level ones.

kinematicguy:
Exactly, you nailed it. Getting into UT Austin and Texas A&M is tougher, a professor has to be willing to take you in.

Infact I have been trying to get a potential advisor at Texas A&M, the only two profs that have replied, said they're not taking new grad students. The rest after multiple mails, nothing yet. I guess I will try CSM now.

What do you think about mechanical engineering? I think petroleum engineering is too specialized. With a degree in mechanical engineering, you can still work in the oil industries. Just make sure you take some petroleum geology or reservoir engineering classes as part of your electives. And with the current crisis in the oil sector, your mechanical engineering degree will be valuable and would open doors for you in other sectors.

Thank me later.

LUCAS99:
@Ojap is it advisable to apply for reinstatement after being out of status since January.

Reinstatement Procedure https://iss.washington.edu/procedures/reinstatement-reentry

When requesting reinstatement, you must establish to the satisfaction of United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) that you:
• Have not been out of status more than 5 months at the time of filing the request for reinstatement (or demonstrate that the failure to file within the 5-month period was the result of exceptional circumstances and that you filed for reinstatement as soon as possible under these circumstances).
• Do not have a record of repeated or willful violations of immigration regulations.
• Are currently pursuing, or intending to pursue, a full course of study in the immediate future at the school which issued the Form I-20.
• Have not engaged in unauthorized employment.
• Are not deportable on any ground other than overstaying or failing to maintain status.

You must also establish that:
• The violation of status resulted from circumstances beyond your control. Such circumstances might include serious injury or illness, a natural disaster, or inadvertence, oversight, or neglect on the part of your ISS adviser, but do not include instances where a pattern of repeated violations or a willful failure on your part resulted in the need for reinstatement.

or
• The violation relates to a reduction in your course load that would have been within the international student adviser's authority to authorize, and that failure to approve reinstatement would result in extreme hardship to you.

If USCIS approves the reinstatement request, the adjudicating officer will endorse your I-20 to indicate that you have been reinstated and will return the I-20 to you. If USCIS does not approve the reinstatement request, you may not appeal the decision and need to prepare to leave the U.S. immediately.

**************************https://iss.washington.edu/procedures/reinstatement-reentry**************************************



In your case, you may be able to demonstrate that the failure to file within the 5-month period was the result of exceptional circumstances (e.g your mental issues if documented, USCIS will even be happy you didn't go to their schools and start shooting people) and that you filed for reinstatement as soon as possible under these circumstances (e.g when you are now stable and can think straight). It's all about packaging, you just have to make sure you have verifiable documents or doctor's report stating this.

Lucas

First, let me tell you that you are one of the very few and lucky F-1 students in America. In case you don't know, there are thousands of people who have fallen out of status right from the first day they came in to America. You have a cashier's job that is putting food on the table and you are complaining? You are able to save $8k within 6 months from your job and you don't count yourself lucky? See, I am not one to sugar coat things for you. I don't know who your friends are but if you have one, they should tell you that you are balling? How many people in America can save up to $2000 in a year? If you have anyone telling you that you are useless in America, please delete that person's contact from your phone and block him or her for life.

That being said, you are not the first and you won't be the last to drop from school - that is not the end of life. You asked for help in writing a reinstatement letter from NL and didn't find help and you decided not to pursue it because of indecision and wrong advices? Who are those advisers? Mind sharing what they advised you to do? It appears to me that you caused this yourself.

For you to be able to compose on Nairaland, I put it to you that you can still think and know what is going on with your life. The issue with you is anxiety and fear of the unknown. Learn to control yourself and take your mind off it. I also see that you have refused to tell us your relationship with your 4 siblings in America, what have they done to help? Are they all tired of you? They all told you to go back to Nigeria? Anyway, here are the options you have presently;

- Do everything within your power to keep your present job

- Go and marry a U.S citizen who you truly love and start a family

- Wait for your pending immigration filings to be approved

Good luck

Lucas99:

Someone drew my attention to your post. I remember you from the previous parts of this thread. Why are you homeless and tired of life? I think you need to tell us your exact situation in order to be able to advise. From the last time, I remember that;

- You have up to four siblings in America who are U.S citizens

- You have a work authorization card which can let you work

- Have a pending immigrant petition filed on your behalf

So what exactly could be making you think of committing suicide? Why should you be homeless when your siblings are here? Do they all hate you? Why are they all tired of you? What have you done to them? Have you stopped working at your job as a cashier? What has changed in your life to have caused this?

I really don't know your new situation but one thing I will let you know is that you even have it so good and better than many people in America. Many people wish they have siblings who are citizens here, have a pending immigration petition, and have a work permit. Everyone of us is fighting one kind of battle or the other, yet we will never give up.

My simple advise: Tell us what has changed since the last time when things were good and we can work with you or advise based on your peculiar situation.

-OjaP

electronic--

Can you provide a list of the schools that you have applied to? I suspect you applied to the wrong schools.

Congratulations to everyone that got their visas approved and to those that just entered Amelika. All the best.

NairaSea23:
Pls to those in US already... As an F1 student visa holder with family in the US on F2, is my wife entitled to Medicare should she get pregnant and want to deliver in the US? We will both be on health insurance and I will probably be paying tax with a SSN. Pls those that have experience either first hand or second hand should pls advice to enable me plan ahead of time . Thank you.

Anybody in America can get Medicare whether as a citizen or a foreigner. As a foreigner, who is pregnant, the hospital can not reject you when in labor. You will be taken care of and because your child is a citizen and you, the parent, can't afford the bill; Medicare would pay. However, as someone who is on a VISA, you may be denied a VISA to the USA if you decide to renew your VISA just for receiving Medicare. But just like aadeyi rightly said, I would use my insurance instead of Medicare. Medicare should be your last option.

Abimmbolar--

I would suggest that you stick to Industrial Engineering and other concentrations therein with the exception of Engineering Management if looking for funds. In the USA, Engineering Management is usually designed for working professionals and not many schools offer it. So, engineering management students are the cash cows because they are usually designed for the working classes. Engineering Management is a form of MBA for technical people so only few schools fund graduate students.

Some good Engineering Management schools are:

George Washington - no funding
UT Knoxville - no funding at all.
Texas Tech - may fund if your research interest is in systems engineering
Stanford: they offer it as management sciences - funding is most likely

There are other schools but I will leave these four here and let you do some more research.

Good luck !

Six days after, this hasn't gotten to the front page. Yet, the moderators are quick to post news about snakes, Dino, Tonto, Jumoke, Dino and Remi, etc.

Seun, do the needful.

anikemoses:
yea a lot of Indian students were deported that I'm aware of when we resumed last spring because most of them gets here with good and reputable institutions but decides to transfer to schools in remote areas that aren't accredited especially a particular school in Cali,I have a couple of my classmates that did such after they couldn't afford their second semester tuition but their greatest undoing was traveling back to India for the Christmas holiday,they were refused entry at the POE..about 180 of them,the ones in my school that succeeded to return back to the states had to make an sos call to the school,as such they were issued a kind of cover letter by the school authority,even at that,the POE officials still asked to see their tuition availability for the new semester before they gained entrance..This was narrated by a classmate of mine when he was asked by an Indian prof during one of our class session..

Wow, this is so interesting. What school in California do they all transfer to. I am eager to know.

Walspring:
Lol...
Pagan bawo? You are too much for that

But why is dickman half-cele? Just curious.

Walspring:
100% Yes for texrem

Partially yes for Dick

They are both your brothers in the Lord

Thanks. How do you know I'm not a pagan?

Dick and Texrem,

Do you guys attend Celestial Church?

Fizzile--

I would suggest you make use of igbiboi's advise - the guy apparently knows what he is saying.

See, Technology Management is more like an MBA for technical people. It has several branches such as project management, statistics, supply change etc. Simply, it's a form of interdisciplinary program and I strongly suggest that you consider it. It is possible to be working on a masters degree in Technology Management with a research interest in environmental science. It is doable.

Congrats OtunbaCoded. I knew you would get it, your mock transcript was brilliantly written. Congrats and make sure to start connecting/follow all the US mining companies on LinkedIn.

imperiouxx:
I'm just seeing all this. You took the words out of my mouth sir.

You see that the thread is heading another direction now?

https://www.mysmiley.net/imgs/smile/sign/sign0132.gif beloved thread.

The thread is heading towards Syria . I miss the veterans.