Evening guys
This is my fourth month in the uk and its has really been challenging. I just had a baby and my school as well so all the cost has been on me and I have to work at least 10hrs daily so I can meet up with payment of school fees and house rent and the rest. I discovered care and support living is the order of the day here in uk which that what I am into already and we mostly do it mostly for the sponsorship aspect too.please are there not other jobs ( just askin) that offers sponsorship which will pay better. I nearly slip into depression because of all this especially when I got here and the job that seems available was just care . But I have no choice and I have to fend for my family. Please I need some clarification and enlightenment . Thanks

Which area of cybersecurity are you considering: technical, coding/analytics, support, non-technical, consulting, management.
Are you starting as a rookie in IT generally. Any vertical industry experience outside of IT
What catches your passion. Directing, investigating, developing, building, documenting
These might shape what direction you might drift towards.
Inbtw, some PM are hands-on, essentially performing as technical manager.

Panasonic101:
Pls which is better… Project Management or Cyber security?

Sorry to hear about your ordeal. Please try to take things easy.

Regarding sponsorship, there are loads of other jobs that offer sponsorship. In fact, it is recently that you get to see most students doing care jobs. What course are you studying? You can start by searching for graduate jobs within your field. A lot of companies sponsor people on their grad scheme. Getting a sponsorship job now is not a do or die affair as there is the option of graduate visa.

Please, I will repeat again, take things easy. Everything will work out well.

pheranmie:
Evening guys
This is my fourth month in the uk and its has really been challenging. I just had a baby and my school as well so all the cost has been on me and I have to work at least 10hrs daily so I can meet up with payment of school fees and house rent and the rest. I discovered care and support living is the order of the day here in uk which that what I am into already and we mostly do it mostly for the sponsorship aspect too.please are there not other jobs ( just askin) that offers sponsorship which will pay better. I nearly slip into depression because of all this especially when I got here and the job that seems available was just care . But I have no choice and I have to fend for my family. Please I need some clarification and enlightenment . Thanks

Panasonic101:
Pls which is better… Project Management or Cyber security?

Better in what context?

If your goal is sponsorship, then cyber security

In my view, anything "management" is trickier for an immigrant to secure sponsorship

Yes I did, stock fish, dried fish, crayfish, spices, egusi, uziza (blended) etc

iyatrustee:


Did you ship food items like dried fish with them?

I can't agree more. Keep integrity high, keep excellent amazing work, amaze tons of experience (over and above IT support), codely #exit

Amarathripple0:
... ... Hopefully, he has a really good line manager who can fight for more pay for him but If they say no, he should keep on doing amazing work and start working on his exit strategy! Companies always do this nonsense so know your value and add tax.

AgentXxx:
It’s an IT Support Role so he had to support other offices with different time zones e.g US and Australia so sometimes has to work out of normal office hours.
... ...
Which of the February? Probation review is February 2023 while salary amendment is February 2024

koonbey:
... ...
Three, please perish the thought of claiming you misunderstood your contract. Just bring it up normally - they’ll even be asking you to 'be open and frank’ in the probation review so there’s no need to overthink it. Worst case scenario is they say they won’t increase and you plan your exit to a better paying role. Leaving because you can’t agree terms is not ideal but still normal - Don’t add integrity issues into the mix, please. You never know when you might need a reference or something else.

Zahra29:


Better in what context?

If your goal is sponsorship, then cyber security

In my view, anything "management" is trickier for an immigrant to secure sponsorship

I’d have to disagree though. Anyone can get sponsored regardless of their role/title. To be honest, It’s really not tricky, just be good at your job. Heck even Heavenly Desserts give their Assistant Managers visa sponsorship if required. I think this narrative is the reason why people are running to only one industry. Times have changed hun

Edited to include an old email I received from a recruiter from one of the banks here, for a Project Management role.

dupyshoo:
Sorry to hear about your ordeal. Please try to take things easy.

Regarding sponsorship, there are loads of other jobs that offer sponsorship. In fact, it is recently that you get to see most students doing care jobs. What course are you studying? You can start by searching for graduate jobs within your field. A lot of companies sponsor people on their grad scheme. Getting a sponsorship job now is not a do or die affair as there is the option of graduate visa.

Please, I will repeat again, take things easy. Everything will work out well.

My wife is the one schooling and what is this graduate visa you are talking about ?are you talking about post study? What other sector offer sponsorship I will like to know the details as I only of care and support living for now. Thanks for the concern. To hear this self I feel better and loved .God bless you

Yes, graduate visa used to be known as post study visa.

All other sectors offer sponsorship. There are about 68,000 companies that have the licence to sponsor.

What is your area of specialisation? That will help to determine the area you should focus on.

pheranmie:


My wife is the one schooling and what is this graduate visa you are talking about ?are you talking about post study? What other sector offer sponsorship I will like to know the details as I only of care and support living for now. Thanks for the concern. To hear this self I feel better and loved .God bless you

Thanks bro,I really do appreciate your time and I hope they bring it up in the probation review because the fear of having to move to a new job scares him as He has been blessed with a nice manager who is always on a lookout for him and kinda push him to be a better of myself plus friendly colleagues/environment only the pay kinda saddens him and that happens when He went for lunch with an intern and he highlighted his pay even though He still blame himself for not negotiating better earlier.God bless you …

koonbey:


Wait for your probation review and raise it. That’s the perfect time for it. All probation reviews will have a section where you’ll be asked to air your views and talk about what the company can do to support you better blah blah blah

I say wait because they may already have a salary increase in mind. Companies often don’t wait till the contractual dates, especially if it’s a hot industry/role. That’s what happened in my case.

When raising it, focus on the workload and the internal salaries. If possible keep the external ones out of it. You don’t want to highlight that you have been looking out YET. It’ll be implicit anyway.

Two, talk to your manager, not HR. It’s your manager that’ll advocate for any increase, not HR. You don’t want to go over your manager's head because it’s still them HR will ask about your performance etc before taking any decision.

Three, please perish the thought of claiming you misunderstood your contract. Just bring it up normally - they’ll even be asking you to 'be open and frank’ in the probation review so there’s no need to overthink it. Worst case scenario is they say they won’t increase and you plan your exit to a better paying role. Leaving because you can’t agree terms is not ideal but still normal - Don’t add integrity issues into the mix, please. You never know when you might need a reference or something else.

This make sense and Lessons have been learnt, Your advise succinct and also what I will be doing and advise people to do.

Don’t be so desperate to accept offers, Know your worth push your luck so well. This people get money, na we Dey pity them with our naija mentality of Can they pay? Or hope they won’t disqualify you when you mention big amount.

Na armed robber I wan be like this going forward

Amarathripple0:

Yea based on this, he definitely needs to re-negotiate and Koonbey ‘s suggestion is good enough to resolve his situation.

My advice to anyone looking for a full-time job, I understand that it’s not easy, but always negotiate and never accept their first offer, even if they advertised the figures.

As a matter of fact, during the recruitment stage, if they ask you what your expectations are for pay, ask them what their budget is. If they say they can’t reveal their budget, mention a salary range. Do your research on the company’s average salary for that role on Glassdoor, add extra digits to it (depending on your risk appetite, me na armed robber figures I dey add just to force them to reveal the real salary and it has never failed me, I will now use style to add, [/i] "I’m open to negotiate depending on the benefits" [i] ;this usually makes them hint at their own budget range for the role), and be very confident when you mention your expected salary range as confidence is really key!

Finally, never tell them your current salary. It’s not their business. Epistle over!

They did oo but I believe the whole fault lied in the guy’s inability to negotiate as they did give room for it but naija mentality no gree am

Amarathripple0:

Also I think they really did your guy dirty! Paying him what they pay interns is a big slap, new hires usually get paid more than current employees in the same role because of market value and then new hires are expected to negotiate. Hopefully, he has a really good line manager who can fight for more pay for him but If they say no, he should keep on doing amazing work and start working on his exit strategy! Companies always do this nonsense so know your value and add tax.

pheranmie:


My wife is the one schooling and what is this graduate visa you are talking about ?are you talking about post study? What other sector offer sponsorship I will like to know the details as I only of care and support living for now. Thanks for the concern. To hear this self I feel better and loved .God bless you

My personal advice, take things one step at a time. You can look at the shortage skills list and see what occupations are relevant in the UK now. The truth is the IT sector and the medical sector ranks highest. The job you're even doing now except you don't want to grow in the medical sector is an opportunity to learn new skills even if it's physiotherapy which is on the shortage occupation list in the medical sector. There are entry levels especially in the NHS even if it's band 2, grow and develop. Your visa now including post-study if you do it gives you at least 3 years to still be in the UK, If you use just 1.5 years to develop yourself in a skill that's in the shortage list, don't you think you will be in a better position for sponsorship? Most people are just in a hurry after few months to get sponsorship and they end up doing jobs they regret. Please don't put much pressure on yourself. Develop yourself first and strategise. The good thing about the UK is that whatever skill and credentials you develop will also be relevant in other developed countries. You just need to be open-minded

AgentXxx:
They did oo but I believe the whole fault lied in the guy’s inability to negotiate as they did give room for it but naija mentality no gree am

I understand jare, it’s both the excitement of getting the job as well as the fear of the company pulling the offer. It happens, so he shouldn’t beat himself up. Plus he’s building his CV so it’s still a win at the end of the day.

Amarathripple0:

I’d have to disagree though. Anyone can get sponsored regardless of their role/title. To be honest, It’s really not tricky, just be good at your job. Heck even Heavenly Desserts give their Assistant Managers visa sponsorship if required. I think this narrative is the reason why people are running to only one industry. Times have changed hun

Edited to include an old email I received from a recruiter from one of the banks here, for a Project Management role.

In *theory* yes, any role can be sponsored. But in practice, some roles are much easier to sponsor than others. A *good* cyber security practitioner would gain sponsorship easier/faster than a *good* IT project manager.

Zahra29:


Better in what context?

If your goal is sponsorship, then cyber security

In my view, anything "management" is trickier for an immigrant to secure sponsorship

Yes, that’s the goal oo

This look like a great plan . Thanks Sir

semmyk:
I can't agree more. Keep integrity high, keep excellent amazing work, amaze tons of experience (over and above IT support), codely #exit

semmyk:
Which area of cybersecurity are you considering: technical, coding/analytics, support, non-technical, consulting, management.
Are you starting as a rookie in IT generally. Any vertical industry experience outside of IT
What catches your passion. Directing, investigating, developing, building, documenting
These might shape what direction you might drift towards.
Inbtw, some PM are hands-on, essentially performing as technical manager.

Yes starting as a rookie in IT. Which would you advise for a start?

Zahra29:


In *theory* yes, any role can be sponsored. But in practice, some roles are much easier to sponsor than others. A *good* cyber security practitioner would gain sponsorship easier/faster than a *good* IT project manager.

Very true, I agree 100%. Specialisation is key, in the IT space, technical roles like cyber security, cloud engineers, data scientists, get sponsorship easier than non technical roles like project manager.

dupyshoo:
Yes, graduate visa used to be known as post study visa.

All other sectors offer sponsorship. There are about 68,000 companies that have the licence to sponsor.

What is your area of specialisation? That will help to determine the area you should focus on.

I studied Chemical engineering while in Nigeria

Amarathripple0:

I’d have to disagree though. Anyone can get sponsored regardless of their role/title. To be honest, It’s really not tricky, just be good at your job. Heck even Heavenly Desserts give their Assistant Managers visa sponsorship if required. I think this narrative is the reason why people are running to only one industry. Times have changed hun

Edited to include an old email I received from a recruiter from one of the banks here, for a Project Management role.

Looking at the mail you put up here, it's a trick some companies use to hoodwink you when they see you still have some good time left on your current visa cos they won't even bother if they see your remaining time on your visa is too low. By the time you start working with them and you open that discussion they will come up with some company policy excuse. My personal advice if anyone get employed on this basis, use one eye to still be looking elsewhere to avoid stories that touch cos any serious company will sponsor you right away along with the offer

Zahra29:


I know, that's why I specified IT project manager. A project manager in construction might probably have a different experience simply because there is a general shortage in that industry. However there is no real shortage of IT project managers in the UK

Your initial post was not specific to IT though hence my response but yea, you are right! IT PMs are everywhere. I dey go sleep, goodnight Lol

Please remember that Project Management cuts across industries not just the tech space. But let’s agree to disagree

Zahra29:

In *theory* yes, any role can be sponsored. But in practice, some roles are much easier to sponsor than others. A *good* cyber security practitioner would gain sponsorship easier/faster than a *good* IT project manager.

Goke7:

Very true, I agree 100%. Specialisation is key, in the IT space, technical roles like cyber security, cloud engineers, data scientists, get sponsorship easier than non technical roles like project manager.

Goke7:


My personal advice, take things one step at a time. You can look at the shortage skills list and see what occupations are relevant in the UK now. The truth is the IT sector and the medical sector ranks highest. The job you're even doing now except you don't want to grow in the medical sector is an opportunity to learn new skills even if it's physiotherapy which is on the shortage occupation list in the medical sector. There are entry levels especially in the NHS even if it's band 2, grow and develop. Your visa now including post-study if you do it gives you at least 3 years to still be in the UK, If you use just 1.5 years to develop yourself in a skill that's in the shortage list, don't you think you will be in a better position for sponsorship? Most people are just in a hurry after few months to get sponsorship and they end up doing jobs they regret. Please don't put much pressure on yourself. Develop yourself first and strategise. The good thing about the UK is that whatever skill and credentials you develop will also be relevant in other developed countries. You just need to be open-minded

Looking at the skills I have and what I have taken time to develop is business. I studied chemical engineering while I was in Nigeria but I didn’t practice so I gathered up and opened a gadget store. Though the Health line is also what I love back in those jamb days. Infact I choose a science course but you know naija na they went ahead and give me chemical engineering.so advice me as a pro boss which of the areas do you tink it’s best for me even if it’s will make me do some online courses I wouldn’t mind.

Goke7:


Very true, I agree 100%. Specialisation is key, in the IT space, technical roles like cyber security, cloud engineers, data scientists, get sponsorship easier than non technical roles like project manager.

I agree, specialists like the above are far fewer in the UK. My last project was for a large UK insurance company and most of the hard core techie roles were outsourced to Indians. But management type and non/soft tech positions - they had no problems filling those in house.

Goke7:


Looking at the mail you put up here, it's a trick some companies use to hoodwink you when they see you still have some good time left on your current visa cos they won't even bother if they see your remaining time on your visa is too low. By the time you start working with them and you open that discussion they will come up with some company policy excuse. My personal advice if anyone get employed on this basis, use one eye to still be looking elsewhere to avoid stories that touch cos any serious company will sponsor you right away along with the offer

Hmmm this company at the time did not know anything about my visa status though as I did not disclose. I only asked if they offered sponsorship for the role I applied for and that was their response. But yea I get what you are saying. Better safe than sorry!

Amarathripple0:
Please remember that Project Management cuts across industries not just the tech space. But let’s agree to disagree

I know, that's why I specified IT project manager. A project manager in construction might probably have a different experience simply because there is a general shortage in that industry. However there is no real shortage of IT project managers in the UK

pheranmie:


Looking at the skills I have and what I have taken time to develop is business. I studied chemical engineering while I was in Nigeria but I didn’t practice so I gathered up and opened a gadget store. Though the Health line is also what I love back in those jamb days. Infact I choose a science course but you know naija na they went ahead and give me chemical engineering.so advice me as a pro boss which of the areas do you tink it’s best for me even if it’s will make me do some online courses I wouldn’t mind.

You're already working in the health sector, try and develop there. You didn't practice as a chemical engineer so you have no experience along that line which is what is needed in the UK and not degrees. With some experience in care that you have, try looking for health care support roles in the NHS, the idea is to get in so you have opportunity to be trained and get qualifications that you won't need to pay for. There are different specialisations within the NHS as a support worker like mental health, physiotherapy and so many. Imagine just spending just a year there. Any qualifications you get are world class recognised in many parts of the world. For me this may be cheapest route. If you want to go the IT way then you may need to spend some money to get trained in some specialised courses like cyber security or cloud engineering. For me except you don't need visa sponsorship doing courses on project Mgmt or business analysis may not be ideal and cost effective. Other people here may have better advice but this is just my little contribution

Check the link below for grad chemical/process jobs. You can also check the likes of BP, Centrica, Eon, Ineos, Siemens, Emerson among others. I am sure these companies sponsor cos my friends got sponsorship from the companies.

https://www.gradcracker.com/search/chemical-process/engineering-jobs

pheranmie:


I studied Chemical engineering while in Nigeria

Amarathripple0:

I’d have to disagree though. Anyone can get sponsored regardless of their role/title. To be honest, It’s really not tricky, just be good at your job. Heck even Heavenly Desserts give their Assistant Managers visa sponsorship if required. I think this narrative is the reason why people are running to only one industry. Times have changed hun

Edited to include an old email I received from a recruiter from one of the banks here, for a Project Management role.

Can't emphasise this enough.

I'm all for people taking any job in the short-term to meet pressing needs but people really need to leave some time in their schedules to optimise their CVs and experience and apply to the jobs they really want/jobs in their field. With enough time and consistency, sponsorship is available everywhere.

Zahra29:


I know, that's why I specified IT project manager. A project manager in construction might probably have a different experience simply because there is a general shortage in that industry. However there is no real shortage of IT project managers in the UK

I don't know about construction, but in the IT PM industry I know sponsorship is as easy as ABC, VERY easy.

hustla:



That's what I do
It's basically chilling 85% of the time

The wahala is paper work

Its what i do too. I dont even do any paperwork at all. Sometimes i go dey ask myself. Do these people like throwing money away or what. Cus the people i support dont even need supporting and i do basically nothing.