₦airaland Forum

DanXplore:
Thanks to you all, i have seen your mentions but could not reply all. You guys are the best!

I have decided to take the scholarship offer.

I hope that this thread would assist someone in future if faced with such 'good' dilemma.

one love

KappaJ1:
Did you forget that this is a scholarship worth more than 15m and you want to forgo it for a 183k a month job? Is the job guaranteed to be there forever? Can it still meet his needs in the next 5 years? Did you think about his chance of getting a better opportunity after his studies or returning to the job he left? Everybody's case can't be like your friend's.
I left my banking job for the same PTDF scholarship and I was better off afterwards.

DanXplore:
Lol! That was harsh,
But the msg was received nevertheless.

Thanks!

haddernyke:
I left a Naija job of 275k monthly in 2014 for UK, I did a MSc with the same PTDF scholarship, I have no regret today. But my story is different from yours, as a medical doctor it was very easy for me to stay back and work in UK. Remember if you don't let go of what you have you might not get what you want. Go for your MSc, aim for a PhD and the rest would be stories. I wish you all the best.

Mrbigman1:
Ppl who dnt ve passport will tell u to stay back or ppl who ve never seen an airplane.

But one thing for sure is dat ur can never regret leaving nigeria.

U meat ppl over dia, on ur return, u ve applied for work in canny or aussie and I bet u, u'd regret being a Nigerian

DanXplore:
Please, i could use some career advice from great nairalanders. Please tag monikers that you think would be of great help, as i am at a crucial point in my career.

I am a graduate of chemcal engineering but for 2years now, have not gotten any engineering related job. The only job i got was at KPMG (audit), which i resigned after 3 months due to some personal reasons. I am currently an Area Sales Rep with a poultry feed production company that pays 183k per month (net take home after tax and other necessary deductions), though i could use up to 20 to 25k to fuel my car monthly.
Now, i just got a PTDF scholarship offer to study Advanced process integration and design in UK but not really sure if it is worth ditching my current job for it.

I am not very confident about securing a job once i finish msc because only a handful of opportunities come for chemical engineers. more also,UK rarely retains Nigerians.

Please what are your advices, especially from those who have done Msc in Uk.

I need your advices, i dont want to make a costly mistake.

234ng44uk:
Free educational advancement my foot. Go to this same UK, most of your classmates at postgraduate level will be international students. Majority of locals go to college or at 1st degree at best. What are you talking about?

DanXplore:
Please, i could use some career advice from great nairalanders. Please tag monikers that you think would be of great help, as i am at a crucial point in my career.

I am a graduate of chemcal engineering but for 2years now, have not gotten any engineering related job. The only job i got was at KPMG (audit), which i resigned after 3 months due to some personal reasons. I am currently an Area Sales Rep with a poultry feed production company that pays 183k per month (net take home after tax and other necessary deductions), though i could use up to 20 to 25k to fuel my car monthly.
Now, i just got a PTDF scholarship offer to study Advanced process integration and design in UK but not really sure if it is worth ditching my current job for it.

I am not very confident about securing a job once i finish msc because only a handful of opportunities come for chemical engineers. more also,UK rarely retains Nigerians.

Please what are your advices, especially from those who have done Msc in Uk.

I need your advices, i dont want to make a costly mistake.

IamRespected:
Sorry op if I sound rude or harsh but I must state it here, better bomb is in your head, how the hell can you be comparing a scholarship abroad with a work of a net pay of 183? Mr man, it's as if your village people are dancing with your destiny, better dump that silly job and grab that opportunity asap

DanXplore:
Thanks guys, i am gradually zeroing towards a decision. You guys are the best!

heo88:
Guy first and foremost, well done on getting the scholarship offer.

Secondly, you definitely have a dilemma on your hands, but on the balance of things I'd recommend you go to the UK and study the MSc.

From reading your write-up, I'm personally confident you could get similar jobs in Nigeria to what you currently have, upon graduation. Furthermore, you may even secure a better position, courtesy of your additional degree.

On the subject of the UK, I am a janded Nigerian, born and mostly bred there. If you want to be able to stay in the UK through a sponsored-visa after your degree, you will absolutely have to use style:

If I was you, I'd search on different companies that work in chemical engineering. I would then contact them and offer to work for them for free. You use the opportunity to increase your exposure to the work, even if you have to do some errands that you'd rather not do, like making tea, grabbing lunch for Oga etc. If your attitude is good, they may offer part-time paid employment after a short while during your course, and at which point they are pretty likely to sponsor you. Furthermore, once you find a gig initially, whether paid or unpaid, you can simultaneously seek paid work with other firms, as you're not just bringing them experience, but you're also demonstrating commitment and integrity by working for the first employer for free.

My advice will be to really analyse their operations in depth, understand the processes, and if possible, identify some shortcomings. This will likely result in them seeing you as a valuable member of their team. When you gist with them on lunch/recreational breaks, ensure you build a rapport; ask questions about 'UK' culture, find common ground subjects to discuss. Initially you may want to eavesdrop on casual conversations and this will help you in building healthy relationships with your colleagues. The reason I say this is because 'Brexit' is an ongoing issue, and the main reason for it is white poor and average people are angry with the UK powers, they feel marginalised, and so their vote last June was like a collective tantrum; just one done by adults. They are irrational scared of black people 'stealing' non-existent jobs (to believe this is true requires real imagination) and by you expressing an interest in their 'culture', they'll begin to see you as one of them. When it comes to seeking visa sponsorship after graduation, it becomes easier when you have a number of colleagues, particularly oyibo ones, rooting for you.

If you gain the exposure from working paid or unpaid, depending on how hard you work, you may be able to build a consultancy service for potential clients, producing reports/research and being paid fees in a self-employed capacity. This is another potential way of securing an entrepreneur visa.


I hope you can see the potential from what I've shared. Trust me either approach you take may be valuable, but it's the manner in which you approach either opportunity which is what counts most.

I wish you well with your eventual decision and if you want to ask any further questions, feel free to PM me etc.

DanXplore:
Please, i could use some career advice from great nairalanders. Please tag monikers that you think would be of great help, as i am at a crucial point in my career.

I am a graduate of chemcal engineering but for 2years now, have not gotten any engineering related job. The only job i got was at KPMG (audit), which i resigned after 3 months due to some personal reasons. I am currently an Area Sales Rep with a poultry feed production company that pays 183k per month (net take home after tax and other necessary deductions), though i could use up to 20 to 25k to fuel my car monthly.
Now, i just got a PTDF scholarship offer to study Advanced process integration and design in UK but not really sure if it is worth ditching my current job for it.

I am not very confident about securing a job once i finish msc because only a handful of opportunities come for chemical engineers. more also,UK rarely retains Nigerians.

Please what are your advices, especially from those who have done Msc in Uk.

I need your advices, i dont want to make a costly mistake.

DanXplore:
Please, i could use some career advice from great nairalanders. Please tag monikers that you think would be of great help, as i am at a crucial point in my career.

I am a graduate of chemcal engineering but for 2years now, have not gotten any engineering related job. The only job i got was at KPMG (audit), which i resigned after 3 months due to some personal reasons. I am currently an Area Sales Rep with a poultry feed production company that pays 183k per month (net take home after tax and other necessary deductions), though i could use up to 20 to 25k to fuel my car monthly.
Now, i just got a PTDF scholarship offer to study Advanced process integration and design in UK but not really sure if it is worth ditching my current job for it.

I am not very confident about securing a job once i finish msc because only a handful of opportunities come for chemical engineers. more also,UK rarely retains Nigerians.

Please what are your advices, especially from those who have done Msc in Uk.

I need your advices, i dont want to make a costly mistake.

saajus:
Too easy. Don't be confused.. Go for your Masters - 2yrs. After your Masters, move to US or Canada for PhD in Petroleum Engineering or similar field of your interest - 3yrs. You will surely get scholarship/assistantship for that too. After your PhD in Canada, permanent resident permit is 100% sure.After your PhD in USA, permanent resident is not 100% sure but smart guys know how to use their PhD research papers get permanent resident..

Assuming you get $80k/annum job after your PhD which I believe with your qualifications, that shouldn't be difficult. If you are not extravagant, let's say you have $50k left after paying bills.You will have 36million Naira in savings after 2 yrs of work. 7 Yrs working in Poultry feed mill, you will make 15m Naira if you don't spend a dime from your salary.

Boy, take this 7 yrs journey to change your life. If you are so patriotic and you decide to return to Nigeria after 7 yrs, you will have PhD, international exposure, Canada/USA resident permit and 36million in your bank.

Prec1ous:
You applied for the scholarship with the sole aim of winning and getting the grant to study abroad, so why are you now confused?

The situation of the country is dire but you alone know yourself and as an engineer working as a sales representative, then there is space for everyone but not everywhere.

It is better you go since your tuition is covered it you have to start thinking ahead from hence because if you come back to this country with nothing, you may be DOOMED!

Use the opportunity abroad to expand and grow, come back with a new orientation and create jobs or leave there after your study to another country.

I wish you success and shall be well with you.

PS: It is not a prayer, it is what I know, GO WELL!

For those looking for same opportunity as the OP.

Scholarships to study abroad for Nigerians and Africans

Profandie:
I am not looking for scholarship opportunities yet. Am interested in a good paying job, I am a masters of education student ,having a first degree in Education/Accounting.
Pls anyone with info or wanting to help, it would be really appreciated.
Thabks .
Otike Andrew

Prec1ous:
Okay, I guess I will create a job update thread then.

I will search for current listings and update you

heo88:
Guy first and foremost, well done on getting the scholarship offer.

Secondly, you definitely have a dilemma on your hands, but on the balance of things I'd recommend you go to the UK and study the MSc.

From reading your write-up, I'm personally confident you could get similar jobs in Nigeria to what you currently have, upon graduation. Furthermore, you may even secure a better position, courtesy of your additional degree.

On the subject of the UK, I am a janded Nigerian, born and mostly bred there. If you want to be able to stay in the UK through a sponsored-visa after your degree, you will absolutely have to use style:

If I was you, I'd search on different companies that work in chemical engineering. I would then contact them and offer to work for them for free. You use the opportunity to increase your exposure to the work, even if you have to do some errands that you'd rather not do, like making tea, grabbing lunch for Oga etc. If your attitude is good, they may offer part-time paid employment after a short while during your course, and at which point they are pretty likely to sponsor you. Furthermore, once you find a gig initially, whether paid or unpaid, you can simultaneously seek paid work with other firms, as you're not just bringing them experience, but you're also demonstrating commitment and integrity by working for the first employer for free.

My advice will be to really analyse their operations in depth, understand the processes, and if possible, identify some shortcomings. This will likely result in them seeing you as a valuable member of their team. When you gist with them on lunch/recreational breaks, ensure you build a rapport; ask questions about 'UK' culture, find common ground subjects to discuss. Initially you may want to eavesdrop on casual conversations and this will help you in building healthy relationships with your colleagues. The reason I say this is because 'Brexit' is an ongoing issue, and the main reason for it is white poor and average people are angry with the UK powers, they feel marginalised, and so their vote last June was like a collective tantrum; just one done by adults. They are irrational scared of black people 'stealing' non-existent jobs (to believe this is true requires real imagination) and by you expressing an interest in their 'culture', they'll begin to see you as one of them. When it comes to seeking visa sponsorship after graduation, it becomes easier when you have a number of colleagues, particularly oyibo ones, rooting for you.

If you gain the exposure from working paid or unpaid, depending on how hard you work, you may be able to build a consultancy service for potential clients, producing reports/research and being paid fees in a self-employed capacity. This is another potential way of securing an entrepreneur visa.


I hope you can see the potential from what I've shared. Trust me either approach you take may be valuable, but it's the manner in which you approach either opportunity which is what counts most.

I wish you well with your eventual decision and if you want to ask any further questions, feel free to PM me etc.

DanXplore:
Thanks to you all, i have seen your mentions but could not reply all. You guys are the best!

I have decided to take the scholarship offer.

I hope that this thread would assist someone in future if faced with such 'good' dilemma.

one love

Acidosis:
I'm not a "career" kind of person, but I think you should consider what you're passionate about -- (M.Sc.) oversea. I'm also not experienced or old enough to advise you but trust me 183k is not really much (no amount of money is ever enough anyway).

Even after you must have obtained your M.Sc, and hopefully get an increased pay at work or on a new job, your new salary would still not be enough.
It is not a curse or something, but a reality that has played out in the lives of many out there.

So, money should not be a driving force in the pursuit of fulfilment cos no amount of it will ever be ENOUGH.

Whether UK or Nigeria, don't let money be the driving force. I'd rather you move to the UK because your passion tilts towards a postgraduate study/process engineering. This will help curb any feeling of frustration, just in the event that you come back without any meaningful or immediate job offer.

rinzaugustine:
I learnt something new today.You are a genuis bro.I am now following you ,so that i can read your posts

mrbyron:
My friend. People are telling you that you can from the UK, apply to Canada to live and study. That is not true. You have to first return to your home country before you can travel to Canada. Please take note of that

DanXplore:
look at them viewing without commenting

Viewing this topic: sizzlingcold (m), CaraJewel(f),
nellybadas, AutumnSpring (f), madjnr,
Futureleader201 (m ), ogunsinamayowa (m), Flobakd(m),
navymii (m), Immarnuel (m), bravolyk(m ), fleexee (m),
TINALETC3(f), Kingolu, bentlywills (m), naijainstinct,
Ewoma45 (f), AreaFada2 , 4godsake, Laxy009 (m),
teeymix16 , Osaos(m), burkutu, DarryOsh (m), lereinter
(m), KappaJ1 , fabiomatic (m), leumas91 , anibi9674 ,
egopersonified(f), papascode , oluezekiel (m),
ikejames29(m ), Coach1 , rednerd , iphie29 (m),
NICOGRAVITY , aziak2012 , Bec(f), Artistree (f),
surrogatesng , dsupremeoley(m), Barristergreen(m ),
pasydron , DanXplore (m), dhesthiny1 (m)