temi4fash:


Sir, have not gotten an acknowledgement that you have received my mail and have nit gotten a reply too

Sorry...I have been a little bit engaged. I have a look at it this week unfailingly, possibly tomorrow.

beau49:


Some men can't ask a lady out,so I will copy this ones.


Err...I don't even want to try,I will pass thank you lol.

Lol. You don't necessarily need to ask the guy out. All you have to do is to give the guy some greenlight. A sharp guy will understand

temi4fash:

Xfire,
Have dropped a messages a couple of times but you have not been able to reply them. Would like if you could help with my C.V review. So can I send it to you.

xfire2014@gmail.com
Please quote your username.

AlphaMaximus:
It is no longer news that the oil and gas industry is in trying times ; with the discouraging daily news of staff retrenchment and what not. Going by these events, oil coys will be somewhat picky in graduate recruitment. That said, I wish to ask the ask what viable skills(programming,management,certifications,etc) a graduate can attain that would give him an edge in the job market ; a first class degree doesn't seem to suffice these days.

You aee right. These are not great times for the oil and gas industry. There is massive streamlining of activities going on. Some of the major oil firms have placed embargo on recruitment while a few have gone further to relieve staffs.

In this modern day economy, one should focus more on skill security rather than job security. If you have marketable skill set, you will always bring in the money. The era of job security is gradually fading away.

To answer your question, computer programming (like you mentioned) seems to be in great demand. One of my relative finished with a 2.2 and immediately delve into computer programming. Today, he is a manager in one of the 3 major online shopping mall. He is currently scouting for good programmers, and his firm had to go all the way to South Africa to recruit some seasoned programmers. He told me that programmers are in high demand.

favour220:
From all indication Mr. Xfire, you are very intelligent, disciplined, focused,smart,compassionate,and humane, the kind of man I would like to spend the rest of my life with, Please will you marry me? I'm single and 34yrs but very smart, intelligent and caring, and that is, If you are still single...

Thanks Favour for the compliment So sweet
However, I think I am just a normal everyday guy with all the weaknesses and idiosyncrasies associated with men. I may not be as perfect as you think.
The anonymous nature of this forum sometimes creates an image of which we may not represent


cheers.....

neahyo:
Haa bro xfire u don forget me oo...this was my post

Good day sirs, please i need some advice on my career choice, I am a 400l student on the verge of graduating with a first class degree in Statistics by the grace of God. Having read all your valuable advice given to various people across all fields, I must say you are doing a very great job may God continue to bless the fruit of your hands.
Back to my case, as a Statistics student aptitude tests has never been my fear, but my greatest fear is job prospects for a Statistics graduate. I would also love to know if there are any certifications that will boost my skills as i have valuable experience as a research assistant and student tutor in my department. I would be anticipating your prompt and favorable responses. Thanks!

As a first class graduate in statistics, I see no reason why you won't get job offers if you are good. There are many job opportunities that only require good grades in any course of study. Statistics is analytical by nature, so smart guys like you will find it easy to ace through aptitude tests once you prepare.

Having said that, I think your best bet as a statistician is to improve your computer skills. Statistics goes with computer science. As a matter of fact, some schools offer computer science with statistics. I will advise that you learn some valuable computer application packages like Excel, Matlab and SPSS. You can also learn a few programming languages and probably be certified in a few of them.

To me, improving your computer skills seems to be the most important step for you right now. When you start working and you discover your areas of interest, you can now start thinking of specializing or pursuing certifications in that career line.


cheers.....

I guess I have answered all the questions thrown at me. Sorry for the late response. No excuses.

I have been so inactive on this forum. Maybe I consider expanding my base from career to family section...lol. So much to share but I have not been active lately.

Later in the week, I will share one of the most defining moments of career, and the lessons I learnt from it.


Cheers....

Seunvense:
Greetings sir...I will appreciate it if u can send copies of your writeups(including this) to this email VINCENTOLUWASEUN@GMAIL.COM...Thanks sir.

Unfortunately, I don't keep copies of my write-ups. Check jarushub.com and ask McWhillion. He has a neat copy of my write-up here. Such a great guy.


cheers....

Lordbinsmar:
thanks for
creating this wonderful thread and sharing your useful
experience with other people.i am a 18years old newly
admitted mechanical engineering student in a OAU.am very
passionate about this course that i had to drop my previous
course (Architecture) in other to follow my heart...but due to
the high level of unemployment in Nigeria.I decided to learn
a Trade that will improve my enterpenuer skills and that will
also increase my possibility of employment in the labour
market...soo i decided to start learning
WELDIND&FABRICATION at a very big metal work
fabrication factory in the town where i live....but the nature
of the trade is very hard and physical demanding but am
ready to endure since i wud only be learing during holidays
or strike and it wont be affecting my academic work.but my
question is that,how relevant is welding and fabrication to
engineering.?can it improve my skill as an engineer.?...No
reply yet pls i need your advice.

I will advise that you continue learning. If your purpose of learning welding is to enhance your mechanical engineering skill (and not necessarily to get a job), then you are on the right path. I am of the view that people should be passionate about their area of discipline.Welding and fabrication is an integral part of mechanical engineering.

Learning welding from a roadside will not necessarily boost your chances of getting a job, but it will help boost your interest in mechanical engineering. I know a mechanical engineer working in oil firm as a manager who has a machine shop in his house. He developed interest in practical work right from his undergraduate days. Even though he doesn't require the skill in his current job, the skill has helped me in some instances in his career.

However, your physical wellbeing comes first. If learning welding is physically stressful and it's taking a toll on your health, please stop it. There are many other aspects of mechanical engineering that does not require welding and fabrication. As a matter of fact, you may never weld or fabricate as an engineer. Typically, technicians do the welding. However, you will need to have an indepth understanding of the concept.

Ehimenboy:
Hello everyone.
I'm a second year undergrad student in the Sciences in one of Nigeria's "top" schools. I have an inkling of what 'doing' (by 'doing', I mean 'research in') science is like in some of Nigeria's best institutions: I don't want to do (even) my masters in the country. (I'm looking at anglophone European countries and North America.) I'm from a typical average Nigerian family and to think that my financiers 'd foot schooling overseas is itself a miracle. By the way, I see myself getting through a 1. upon graduation: degree class is not an 'issue.' What seems to be the only hope is getting a scholarship (shortly before/after school by plan/hope). No visa, passport and the likes at the moment.

How do I go about it?


P. S.: I'll need answers as explicit as possible please. (xfire, darellrivers, taiwolusol et al, I've long been waiting for this time.) Thanks in advance.

Hi..

Like you said, the first step is to be serious with your academics and graduate with a solid CGPA. That way your chances of getting a scholarship will be higher.

Secondly, you need to start saving money since you come from an 'average' home. How do you go about that? I can deduce from your enquiry that you are above avergae academically. Why not apply for the numerous undergraduate scholarship opportunities and win a few? That way, you will be getting extra cash which you can save (in dollars if you ask me. Naira seems to be too unstable). They are not that difficult to win. Most of the scholarships are only open to first and second year students so if you are yet apply, plea start doing so. The saved money will come in handy when you want to write GRE and TOEFL or when application fees for schools.

Thirdly, start gathering information. This is vital. There are a few overseas scholarship opportunities in Nigeria like Exxon, Agip and PTDF (not sure if PTDF still offers overseas scholarship). There is also Commonwealth and a host of others. You need to find and get mentors who have passed through that journey before so that they can give you proper guidance and information. For instance, there are countries where tuition is free. Each country and school also have different requirements. Some schools are more open to foreign students than others. Some countries, like UK have strict policies against giving foreign graduates work permit. You need to know all these information and more. I know many people that can be of help but it's pretty too soon. Even darellrivers and tanimola22 of Nairaland will be very helpful. For now, focus more on your academics, be open to information and wait till your final year before you start a rigorous search.

cheers......

Sashafm:
I must say, I am really lucky to have been opportuned to stumble on this thread. Thank you so much Xfire and darellrivers etc for the wonderful inspiration.
I am 22years old, a graduate of Geography with 2.1,from one of the best federal universities in southwest. I actually had passion for Geography that was why I went to study it in the University. Unfortunately for me, I never for once though about what career opportunities the course would open me up too. I guess it has just began to done on me that Although i went for the course because I love it, there might not be more to it. I saddens me now when people advice me to go into teaching after my service year, when they find out I studied Geography. I would really appreciate it if someone can mentor me in career part to tow as a Geographer asides teaching and lecturing.
cc: xfire, darellrivers, bigdreams.
thank you for your anticipated response.

Unfortunately I am not a geographer so I might not be able to go indepth on the applications of geography in our society.

Nonetheless, a degree in geopgrahy offers you the badic platform to be able to specialize in an array of disciplines such as town planning, GIS, surveying, environmental science, hydrology, climatology, etc. You may even be able to delve into geology. You may however require a 2nd degree if you want to continue in any of these lines.

However at your young age and with a good grade, there will be many opportunities open to you outside Geography as a discipline. Many jobs today only require you to have a good grade in any discipline. At your stage, you could consider a variety of options and then choose whichever you find passion in. I have seen geographers end up in banks, institutions of learning, oil firms, audit firms and breweries all serving in various capacities.

cheers......

simiolu1:
I'm a serving Corper. Studied Physics in the University and did a project on ZnO Thin Films.

I and my partner worked our butt off for the project and spent a considerable amount of money, time and other resources to get it done. One of the motivating factors for me was that I really needed an A in it to make a Second Class Upper.

When the project was almost finished, my Supervisor informed me he would love to Publish a paper on it. I guess he was impressed with the quality of work we did (even though we made some errors along the way).



It's been over a year now since I finished school and this afternoon, I read an e-mail from my Supervisor (which was sent 7 days ago) informing me that he has reviewed the paper (which I wrote by the way), made necessary corrections and chances are it's going to be published soon. I was elated until I read the next paragraph/sentence which requested for 10,000naira as payment for my name to be part of the authors. And that I have 3weeks to make the payment (one week has already elapsed).


I was shocked to say the least and was honestly furious at first. However, I just went online and discovered that people pay to publish their research in journals.


Now this is my dilemma. I'm currently fiddling with the idea of a Master's degree and I know that having my name as an author on that paper if published would go a long way. I also know that it'll look good on my CV and create a good impression to potential employers.


But I'm cash strapped and my meager allawee isn't helping matters.


What do I do?
Cc Jarus, Xfire, Darrelrivers

Sorry...just seeing this. I guess the 3 weeks has elapsed. Have you finally resolved the issue?

simiolu1:

Good day Sir, kudos to you for the work you're doing.
I'm a grad of Physics, currently serving and would be passing out in Oct. I need d following favours An indepth review of my Cv and Cover letter. Thanks

send it to xfire2014@gmail.com. Please quote your nairaland username so that I can identify you.

mickey45:

Is that possible? M.sc + Certifications (especially abroad)?

Of course. It is possible.

neahyo:
Uncle xfire, please i'm patiently waiting for your response..thanks!

I will be back shortly.

Hello Unsad,
You shouldn't reduce your age for whatever reason since it is already documented both in NECO and JAMB. A simple background check will fish you out. Except if you want to start all over again and write NECO and JAMB which is needless to me. Also, are you sure you will be able to live with it all your life knowing that you falsified your age? Think twice.

That being said, most engineering firms are much lenient with their age requirements compared to other firms. That does not mean that employers don't look at age. They are just more lenient.

For some funny reasons, I got admission at about your age and finished service also at about the age you are projecting to finish service. You didn't even factor in strikes and unplanned closures that can affect school calendar. You will be extremely lucky to be through with service by 27 years if you are going to a public university. But that has not stopped me from working with 3 different reputable organizations in Nigeria within 2 years of my graduation. The major reason I was able to do that was that I had engineering degree and I finished with a good grade. It would have been much tougher if I had studied a social science course or had less than a 2.1.

Besides, you can always escape the age trap if you decide to pursue further degrees overseas, particularly in the US , Canada or Middle East. It is easier to get a good job over there with an engineering degree. But you need to graduate well and have a good CGPA.

So my advice for you is: enroll for your engineering degree. Focus on your academics and aim to graduate with a first class. It is a very realistic goal. You may slip and finish with 2.1 but with a very good CGPA. That puts you in a good stead after graduation. Your opportunities will be boundless.


Cheers.......

Kossyne:


Mr Xfire,

1. When applying for graduate trainee or entry level positions, a I expected to include work experience?
If you have internship, volunteer or previous work experience, you can include it on your CV of course. It doesn't matter if it is for a trainee position or not. You should include it. However, it is not necessarily an expectation for entry level roles.

2. Is it ideal to just list skills or to give a brief description of the display/use of the skill under each mentioned skill?
It is better to stick with a few numbers of skills, and provide scenarios on how you have displayed, or are displaying the skills outlined.

3. How do I improve my communication skill?
Read how I improve my communication skill below:
https://www.nairaland.com/1576265/achieving-dream-career-story-lessons/3#25336469

4. What is the difference between a resume and CV?
Both terms are usually used interchangeably in Nigeria though they have slight differences. If you will be applying in Nigeria and in extension Africa, you shouldn't bother much about difference. More so if you are a fresh graduate with relatively lean career and academic profile.
A CV is more detailed and lengthier than a resume. It is expected to include details of your background and your life accomplishments. It should normally include your educational and work background, publications, awards, accomplishments, presentations, professional memberships, research works, etc. It typically shouldn't have a page limit depending on your years of experience and accomplishment. A resume is a shorter version which is a synopsis of your skills, experience and education. Not more than one or 2 pages maximum irrespective of your years of experience.
If you ask me, a fresh grad shouldn't bother much about such lexicology, especially for a grad with less than 2 years experience. This is because the CV/resume is not expected to go beyond 2 pages (or a maximum of 3 depending on peculiarity and depth of experience).

5. Can one use the body of the mail for cover letter or send it as an attachment along with the resume while sending your CV via email?
You mean body of the email? You can do both. However, it is preferable to send it as an attachment alongside your resume on the same document. It makes it look neat and presentable. It is worthy of note that the different companies have different application procedures/processes for standard recruitment programmes. This invariably means you must first and foremost follow instructions/ application portal when responding to an open vacancy online.

6. I want to pursue a career in financial services industry but I have no experience. Should I remove work experience completely from my CV?
No experience in the field or no work experience at all? It all depends. If you have no work experience at all, then there is nothing to add. It's that simple. However, you might have taken some steps (like certifications or professional courses) geared towards financial services. You would do well to include those. If you have some work experience, it all depends on the type of experience you have had and how long you have been on the job. Are you referring to a fresh graduate or a career switch? More clarifications will help provide a better answer. But I must say - generally speaking, I wouldn't subscribe to removing any non-related work experience except you have a reason for doing so. In most cases, it all depends on how you package your work experience.

7. What's the ideal format for a CV/resume? I have seen a million and one formats.
Read this:
https://www.nairaland.com/1576265/achieving-dream-career-story-lessons/14#27789330
https://www.nairaland.com/1576265/achieving-dream-career-story-lessons/14#27789483
https://www.nairaland.com/1576265/achieving-dream-career-story-lessons/14#27789575
https://www.nairaland.com/1576265/achieving-dream-career-story-lessons/14#27789691
https://www.nairaland.com/1576265/achieving-dream-career-story-lessons/3#25328293
https://www.nairaland.com/1576265/achieving-dream-career-story-lessons/3#25331622

8. As a fresh graduate with any experience, should I use career objective or career profile?
Answered above. Read this:
https://www.nairaland.com/1576265/achieving-dream-career-story-lessons/3#25328293

This is oddly funny but somewhat true in some corporations, especially in Nigeria. I have seen it happen several times - people who become high flyers because they have learnt the art of putting up an appearance of busyness and seriousness. All it takes is 'packaging' and good impression. People can sometimes be easily swayed by eye service and lip service. Also, the ability to be the 'yes sir' person can get you in good books with your superiors, especially if you are skillfully apt in massaging their egos.
However, pretence is not usually sustainable. Productivity should also follow as it counts too.

Kossyne:


Mr Xfire,
Greetings....I sent you a personal mail. There are issues I would like to discuss with you in private. I know you are a very busy personal but I implore you to find time to attend to my problems which requires expert help such as yours. Expecting your reply soonest.

Sorry, just seeing this. Alright. I will respond to you

bigtalla:


Am sorry about your friend's husband situation. The truth is that there is no one overall rule governing how long one stays offshore. There are several scenarios that may determine his stay offshore:

1. Does he work with an International Oil Company (IOC)[b]

Generally, people that work with the IOCs (SNEPCO, Chevron, Agip, Mobil, Total) often do a 2-week rotation if their back-to-back (relief person) is Nigerian. But if your back-to-back is an expatriate its usually a 28 days rotation basis. You generally earn equal number of days you stay offshore as recuperation.. This varies from company to company. Most of their cash comes from their monthly salary and allowances, while they get extra from field/offshore allowances. So, staying offshore too long may not be very beneficial considering their family waiting back at home.

[b]2. Or an Oil Servicing Company?:
Generally, guys that work with Oil servicing companies are called out for specific tasks. The duration of the task may be shorter than 14 days or longer than 28 days. I have seen guys that stay offshore for 3 months on a particular job. It is also, important to note that the huge chunk of their pay comes from field/offshore allowances; and this makes them want to work extra days, even if it means sacrificing their recuperation days. But this is not something one does every shift, especially if he has a family back at home. Also, some companies have manpower issues.

3. If he has a 'unwelcoming' wife back at home:
This may sound strange, but some guys are willing to stay more days offshore rather than going back home to face their unwelcoming wife. Some complain of increased BP whenever they go home. They rather work extra days, send money home to their wives and have peace of mind. They are willing to stay a few extra days offshore without any benefit

4. If he has another wife/gf/family somewhere else:
It is not uncommon for an offshore worker to live a double life.. This is the worst nightmare wives of offshore workers face.. Am sure your friend might be in this this situation. Your friend's husband case is not strange but also not a normal one....

hmmm.....perfect response. I will add just one more point.
5. If the working condition is bad: Some companies, specifically local (indigenous) oil servicing firms are notorious for taking advantage of their staffs by using and exploiting them while paying them almost next to nothing. But in most cases, such jobs are project dependent, and the rotation ends when the project is completed.
Unfortunately, I am not aware of any laws guiding offshore work rotation. There may be in the international labour laws. But even if there is, it will be hard to implement or enforce in a developing country like Nigeria where we have a poor justice system. Cases of violation of labour laws are rampant in Nigeria, with little or no penalty.
If his current rotation pattern is not willful (as described in points 3 and 4), his best bet is to either appeal to the organisation to reevaluate his working condition or resign. If he is a member of any union (which I doubt), he can relay his complaints via the union. Unfortunately, the IOCs hardly get involved in contractor's internal affairs except in extremely few cases.

cc: nannymcphee

I remember meeting a guy when I used to work out in the gym. The guy used to live in London. He is 41 years old and he's yet to marry. He attributed his singleness to the materialistic nature of many Nigerian girls. He was always quick to say that Nigerian women are only after money, and very few of them are intelligent. He also talked about "the sense of entitlement" that sagamite mentioned. He said if he is ever going to get married, he would wed a white ladies. He feels that their attitude towards relationship is much better that what is obtainable here. The guy told me he has a sex mate and he's fine remaining a single guy, for life. By the way, he is very comfortable and comes from a well-to-do family.
I tried to disabuse his mind but to no avail. I hope he gets married in the future.

I know people in the oil sector who are also finding it challenging getting a life partner, most especially the ladies. These are ladies who got the job when they were not into any serious relationship. 3 to 4 years down the line, they are still single, and possibly searching. Though I must say most of them are below 30 but tending towards the mark.

There are various factors that could cause a delay in settling down. I think it may be rather unwise to be extremely opinionated on issues like this.

Sometimes, culture play a strong role. We must remember that African culture and value system on marital issues are remarkably different from that of the Western countries. The dependent nature of many African may be traced to cultural roots.

I am not arguing for or against African ladies as most have already done. I just feel the issue needs to be analysed holistically, rather than trading blames.

cheers...

This is based solely on my personal opinion and is not binding on anyone or organization. It is however to encourage all graduates that they can succeed in life regardless of their grade. Read on:

SOURCE: http://www.jarushub.com/6-reasons-why-discrimination-against-2-2-and-3rd-class-graduates-should-stop/

This is based on personal opinion only. In the course of my young & growing career, I have interacted with many graduates and employees. I have met extremely good, hardworking and smart persons who graduated with 2.2 or 3rd class. However, many are not even given the chance to showcase their ability as they are often not considered in many recruitment opportunities.
However I must say, I will never discriminate against anyone on the basis of graduating with a 2.2 if or when I own my company. Here are the reasons why 2.2 (and lower grade) grads can perform equally or even better than others with higher grade:

1. Many are actually very smart. Some are even smarter than some 2.1 grads out there. Not all that finished with a 2.2 or 3rd class did so because they weren't academically sound enough. Financial pressures, playfulness, sickness, victimization, missing exam sheets, family issues, disillusion, influence of bad friends, etc can cause students not to reach their full academic potential. A friend of mine finished with a 2.2 largely due to financial stress while in school. Today, he is a successful network engineer in one of the telecom coys. Let me even take it closer. A relative of mine finished with a 3rd class in civil engineering due to victimization. Today, he is a COREN registered engineer with many years of engineering experience to his name. He now has a registered consulting firm. I can go on and on to reel out successful 2.2 and 3rd class graduates but I will stop here. It’s gravely erroneous to assume that all 2.2 or even 3rd class grads aren’t as smart as others.

2. Succeeding in the workplace requires more than academic ability - As a matter of fact, success in the workplace is determined more by one’s soft skills than by academic ability. Soft skills such as presentation skills, persuasion skills, decision making skills, ability to learn fast, attitude, persuasion skills, people skills, etc. are much more important than school grades. These are skills that are not learnt in the classroom.

3. They have more to prove – Of course they do. They know that many look down on them because of their grades. They know that too much emphasis is placed on paper certificate. So they demonstrate more determination to show that they aren’t push-overs. This is a key driving force for successful career-minded 2.2 and 3rd class graduates I have met.

4. Most have acquired additional hard skills / training – I have met several 2.2 graduates that have amazing skill sets that I can only envy. Many 2.2 grads out there are augmenting their grade with other requisite skills, aptitude and certifications. While many (not all) 1st class and 2.1 grads may rely solely on their certificate to do the ‘magic’, many 2.2 and 3rd class graduates are working and learning new skills to enhance their employability and survive the highly competitive labour market. This is applicable to all graduates. However, 2.2 grads tend to be more aggressive in their zeal to survive the competitive environment. All the skills, training, certification and aptitude gained in the course of boosting employability play significant roles in helping them succeed in life, and in the workplace.

5. Most have learnt from their past errors – This applies to those who finished with 2.2 or 3rd class due to avoidable reasons. People who learn from their past mistakes usually develop strong motivations to correct their errors and succeed. Give a man who is motivated a task to complete and he will excel beyond expectation. Another relative of mine graduated with a 2.2 for purely avoidable reasons. After staying at home for almost a year and realizing his past mistakes, he searched deep and discovered his passion. He enrolled for a software training program with APTECH, and began to build his network. Today, he is one of the leading software engineers with one of the 2 major Nigerian online shopping firms in Nigeria.

6. They tend to show great zeal and commitment – The smart ones hardly misuse opportunities. They know how tough it can sometimes get for them and many brace up for the challenge. Over time, experience counts more than grade. Thus, they show incredible commitment in the workplace in order to gain relevant experience and reduce the undue impact of their grade. While most 2.1 or first class graduates have their eyes open to ‘bigger’ opportunities, 2.2 grads tend to be more loyal in a firm so as to establish themselves, gain relevant experience and boost their work/career profile. Little wonder some firms that used to be die-hard fans of 2.1 graduates now consider 2.2 grads (with relevant NYSC experience or Masters degree).
A year after I joined my first place of work (a multinational FMCG coy), two 2.2 grads were considered and hired amongst several 2.1 and 1st class graduates. The two put in extra efforts and commitment at work. They have since become high fliers and have risen ahead of their colleagues with 2.1 and 1st class degree.

Who says 2.2 graduates can compete with others in a corporate organization?

DISCLAIMER: I am not encouraging students to finish with 2.2 or lower grades. As a matter of fact, I graduated with a CGPA extremely close to a first class and will always advise students to finish with at least a 2.1 or Upper Credit. I am only insisting that 2.2 graduates can equally do well in the workplace.

Xfire is a graduate of one of the notable public universities in Nigeria, with working experience in the FMCG and petroleum industry. He currently works as an engineer in a multinational oil company in Nigeria. He is passionate about guiding people to achieve their dream careers, and he is known for his pragmatic approach towards career and life issues

SOURCE: http://www.jarushub.com/6-reasons-why-discrimination-against-2-2-and-3rd-class-graduates-should-stop/

olatricia:
My people, i so appreciate the fact that you guys know and you are willing to share what you know. I hold in no light esteem the good that all the information i read on this tread has done to me, in terms of reawakening my zest and passion for the learning. But my plights are these: I'll be 28 later this year, I ve a B.Sc in Economics from the University of Jos, with a 2.2 grade. Actually, I was the best amongst the worse and the worse of the best. thats becos i had a GPA of 3.49 (you know how marginal that is). Am an AAT holder, I had a brief lecturing experience with an ICAN tutorial centre. a professional student of the ICAN, final stage with just SFM paper to go. I am a pro in SPSS, Excel and Peachtree and I do very well at my Job.I wrote several undergraduate projects for my colleagues while i was in school and many of them landed no grade less than a "B", I understand research and project writing very well, simply put. I work with a financial consulting firm, i earn a gross of 100k monthly. I fend for me (in all its ramifications) and need to drop some for my parents who did a lot to see me through school. I have a passion for research and ultimately lecturing. I'll like to further as early as possible and if possible study outside Nigeria. Passing exams is not my problem, If i read, i'll pass. My girl friend is 26 an accounting graduate with a strong 2.1 from same school. She is currently serving. She is pressing for us to settle down immediately after her service year (probably because we have been dating for about 3 years now and the clock is ticking). My people, with a 2.2, no financial backing whatsoever and responsibilities beckoning daily. Please, how do I go about studying abroad, achieving my dream of being who i really want to be. What can I do to be better with the little resource and opportunity before me. Please i really need as much advise as i can get because am begining to loose it in bits.

Thanks.

First of all, you need to calm down. Please don’t lose yourself. You are putting yourself under undue pressure.

1. Reading through your write-up, I think you are doing fine. You seem to be a very smart and talented person. From your knowledge and current experience, I think you will do perfectly well. Your self- confidence is also amazing.

2. There is nothing stopping you from studying abroad. By now, you should have started processing your admission. For what I can deduce, you are still “planning to” or “will like to” further abroad. Furthering abroad takes a lot of time, effort and resources. It is not a process that is best started at least one year ahead. However, it is not too late. I will advise that you kick-off right now – start reseaching on schools abroad, their admission criteria, application process, ranking, location, availability of scholarships, availability of work permit, etc. By now, I expect that you should have done your basic research on schools you will consider based on cost, quality, location, etc. The best bet for you to start your MSc / PhD program as soon as you can.

3. The decision to marry lies entirely with you. No one can make that decision for you. I know a guy that got married to a student when he was earning less than 50k in Lagos! I wouldn’t normally advise anyone to do that. However, he isn’t doing badly now. Today, he’s about to buy his own car. I also know people earning hundreds of thousands of Naira, and are yet to marry. Since you are both in a related field (accounting/finance), you can convince her to enroll for further education abroad in the same schools you are considering. There are many Nigerian couples studying abroad in the same university. I know PhD students in US who are married with kids. They earn a stipend yearly, and with that they are able to cater for their family. Since she graduated with a strong 2.1, I assume she is intelligent. She may even secure grants/scholarships.

Others can contribute

lieutAliyu:
You have done a great job @xfire and other great minds here,what certification(s) is relevant for a career in safety or quality control in a MNCs for graduate of pure and industrial chemistry.Am stuck with two options here going for Msc or Certification,after my service year i have been in the area of sales hence not finding career growth and satisfaction.i need you all this to get over this stage.

There are several certifications on safety. In your case, you many consider HSE training (level 2 & 3) or the more advanced NEBOSH. Quality control depends on the industry. Every manufacturing / FMCG industry has a unique QA/QC system or protocol. For instance, the QC system in a brewery will be different from what is obtainable in other food industries (soft drinks, beverages, snacks, etc). QA/QC systems also differ in steel companies, soap, chemical, refineries, etc. Sometimes, you need experience in that particular industry before you can be given a QC role e.g. you will most likely be a production or brewing supervisor before you can be considered a QC analyst in a brewery. This is because some companies require that you have floor (production) experience before you can actually conduct a QA/QC on the process/product. So certification is not highly considered but can still be useful. However, if you insist on certification, you need to be industry specific in your request. Your best bet is to enroll for a HACCP training which is generally applicable in the food industry. With a degree in Chemistry, you can be considered for a QC role in many companies even without a certification.

On your current dilemma (MSc or certification), I would say you should go for a Masters while simultaneously acquiring necessary certifications. However, you may consider acquiring job experience if you get a good job after service.

Why do they recruit contract staffs?

Oil firms used to recruit contract staffs to provide middle to high level manpower for specific assignments within a defined timeframe. Contract staffs were meant provide specific technical and administrative services to engage in short-term activities or tasks that are not mainstream company business. However, it must be admitted that purpose of contract employment has broadened over the years.
Other considerations that now go into recruiting contract staffs are cost optimization, business need, availability, personal influence and demand for certain skills. Depending on the terms of agreement, contract employment is usually not an ideal way of engagement as contract may be terminated at any point. Usually, once the contract term expires and there is no new proposal for extension, the employee is disengaged and paid off. In some cases, contract staffs get converted to permanent staffs.

How much do contract staffs earn?

Contract staffs in the industry generally earn very competitive salaries compared to contract staffs in other industries, most notably banking. Some even earn more than permanent staffs depending on the age, experience, risk involved in job scope, skill level and contract agreement. Generally, contracted expatriates earn much higher than their Nigerian counterparts for obvious reasons. It's funny but some expatriates prefer to remain contract staffs as they sometimes earn much higher than full time expatriates.

Job security for contract employees?

Like I said, the constant worry is that contract can be terminated at the end of the contract. However, there are several instances in which contract staffs remain on the job for extended periods of time with salary enhancement, even though they may never hold management position. (I won't say more than that).

How are contract staffs recruited?

Contract staffs are recruited in various ways. Rarely will there be an open advert for contract staffs. Getting a contract job in oil companies require some level of networking, knowledge of the business and insider information. Below are the channels through which one can get a contract job:

1. Retention of corps members (pre-2013, that is, before the new NYSC policy on posting of corps members became operational)
2. Outsourcing (use of third party recruiting firms) - there are several of such firms in Nigeria
3. Unpublicized adverts
4. Retired staffs absolved back into the organization as contract staffs
5. Linkedin
6. Poaching
7. Pull from company's CV database or CV bank
8. Solicitation from recognized professional bodies

Cheers...

philfrey08:
X-fire we are still waiting for the second part of your lecture. Please post asap.
Thank you

I will post the concluding part which will focus mainly on contract employment and internship. I have been somewhat engaged. I had to go offshore on a non-routine work schedule

Lordbinsmar:
mr xfire thanks 4 creating this wonderful thread.....my question is that,how important is welding skills in the oil and gas industry....and will having a certification in welding increase my possibility of getting into oil and gas industry as a mechanical engineering student..thanks.

welding is a very important skill in the industry, especially in the oil services industry.
A certification in welding is good and it may give you a slight edge in the labour market, especially if you are seeking middle-level technical roles (e.g. mechanical technician). But need I say that welding is mostly important for companies that provides technical services to oil producing companies that require hotwork or fabrication.
What level are you, and have you done your internship?

gudrated:
insightful indeed
In this era of low crude prices and the resultant negative effect in the industry especially as it relates to heightened loss of jobs and income, graduates need to look beyond the industry.
I'm and oil and gas professional, and I must admit that most people, especially contract staffs and employees of oil servicing firms like Schlumberger are scared stiff of losing their jobs.
I just read online that Schlumberger wants to lay off 11,000 employees this quarter, totalling 20,000 personnel rendered jobless so far this year.
Most of the IOCs in Nigeria are downscaling due to poor funding of JV by government, uncertainty in PIB because the govt wants to increase tax on oil, high level of insecurity, massive corruption, multiple taxation, crude oil theft and low crude prices.
Nigeria is producing less than we were producing 16 years ago. That means the industry has not grown over the years. How then do we expect the industry to recruit?
i will advise all graduates to be versatile and look beyond the industry. The days of jumbo pay package may be over soon.
xfire, comment

Unfortunately, you are right.
The oil industry has not grown over the years in Nigeria. The industry would have experienced enormous growth and influx of investment if well nurtured. A combination of bad policies, uncertainty and massive corruption has stifled growth in the sector.
However, the focus here is not on the state of the industry but on career prospects based on numerous enquiries I receive on a regular basis.

FlirtyKaren:




Hello Xfire dear, hope you are doing great. Please I want to ask you for a favour - I want to share your awesome post here on a blog by tomorrow. Can i go ahead? Please do respond.

Thanks for the courtesy.
Yes, you can. Just make reference to me. What is the name of the blog, if I may ask?

Cheers...

I will also write a bit about contract staffing in the industry. I will answer the following later:

1. How do oil firms recruit contract staffs? And why do they recruit contract staffs?

2. What's the remuneration package like for contract staffs?

3. How secure is the job of a contract staff in oil companies?

4. Do contract staffs get converted to permanent staffs? If yes, what's the process?

5. How can I form an indigenous oil servicing company?

Hmmm...interesting. An article I wrote as far back as 2014. I posted the first part on Nairaland then but was unfortunately caught by the anti-spam bot and the post was hidden. How did it suddenly re-appear? Lemme complete it and add more:

9. I studied a course not relevant to the oil and gas industry, any chances for me?
There are very few courses that are totally irrelevant in the industry. Those courses may just be in very low demand. It may also depend on your location. A few graduate opportunities (like NNPC graduate programmes and the current NLNG recruitment drive) throw the door open to a wide variety of graduates including the those that studied 'non-relevant' courses. That provides a plausible chance. Another alternative is to change career entirely e.g. from a 'non-relevant' social science course to accounting (through ICAN or ACCA) or from Agric engineering to Mechanical Engineering through the MSc route. But it must be said that not everyone can work in the oil industry. Career satisfaction can certainly be gotten elsewhere.

10. What of job security in the industry?
Over the decades, the industry worldwide tends to be cyclical. In times of high oil prices like we have now, job stability tends to be high. Companies recruit in this time of prosperity. When oil prices crash for a sustained period of time, it becomes uneconomical to sustain high level of production and there may be massive lay-offs. This can happen for many reasons -gloomy economy, oil glut, newer and cheaper technologies, political instability or uncertainty. However the industry is currently in a sustained period of high prices and job security is pretty high.
Moreover, the industry is skill driven. Some set of professional skills will always sell, and many experts will always find themselves in various aspects of the industry irrespective of the economic situation.
Generally speaking, job security in the industry is fairly high.

11. What do industry employers look for in candidates?
Pretty much the same qualities every employer will want in a graduate - analytical skills, communication skills, result driven, intelligence, sense of accomplishment, drive, enthusiasm, interpersonal skills, problem solving skills, etc.
For experienced hires, employers look for a set of specialized skills, and level of relevant work experience in addition to the required soft skills mentioned above for graduates.
Many companies, particularly in Nigeria require that candidates pass a series of written and /or online tests to be considered for employment. Some even require this for experienced candidates.

12. Will an MSc in a top university brighten my chances?
Yes it can and it does. Many firms consider that at the interview stage. But it is not a guarantee. You still need to do very well at every stage of the recruitment. It can only help if you are being compared with a another equally good candidate who has no MSc.

13. What is the average pay for fresh graduates in the industry?
It is impossible to put a single figure on a fresh graduate's pay in the industry. It varies depending on the aspect of the industry (oil producing or servicing), the size of the firms, policy of the firm, the type of job, contract type (permanent or contract staff) and the type of firm (local or international). Generally speaking, the average pay for fresh graduates in the industry is far higher than what is obtainable in other industries.

14. Do you I have a better chance of getting recruited as an indigene of an oil producing state?
Yes. Most companies provide additional slots for local indigenes, or employ local indigenes for servicing works. But the industry is very much merit driven and being a local indigene is not enough to secure you employment in an oil company. It only gives you a brighter chance than others.

15. Does working in a reputable oil firm equate to career fulfilment?
No. Career fulfilment is a personal and individualistic sense of contentment and accomplishment in one's career. Many in the industry are left unfulfilled because the promotions they desired never came. Some never achieve the heights they set for themselves. Some remain on the same level for years without promotion, maybe because their performance is low or no one is 'pushing' them upwards. Some simply have to deal with 'bad' bosses. Others achieve rapid progression through the ranks. Some are willing to sacrifice work-life balance for career progression, others aren't. Career fulfilment is not all about money. Many earn well but are still unhappy. Some don't love their jobs or the location of their workplace (especially field workers) despite the high pay. I have seen quite a number of people who hate their employer with a passion but love the huge pay. I have also seen the opposite - those who love the job and the pay. Thus, career fulfilment is personal.

16. If I get a postgraduate scholarship from an IOC (International Oil Company), does it mean I get automatically employed by the IOC after recruitment?
No. It does not. In years past, it was almost automatic but not anymore. The competition is harder now. You will have to apply like all other graduates and pass through the rigorous recruitment process.

17. What advice will you give me if I want to pursue a career in the industry?
I receive this question a lot. It all depends on the individual I am dealing with. There is no specific answer that fits every aspirants.
However, I will offer a general advice. All aspirants should endeavour to enhance their employability constantly. Information is key. Be well informed about the industry and get relevant information concerning career fields you can or want to delve into. Keep your eyes wild open for available vacancies and be active on LinkedIn. Network, not only for the sake of knowing people, but for getting valuable information. Pay attention to job vacancy requirements. Never overlook seemingly little opportunities, even in small firms. I give an example. While I was working in the FMCG industry, I was looking forward to moving to the oil industry. I knew the oil industry places a lot of priority on safety. That partly made me develop keen interest in safety at my workplace. I joined the safety team and I became the safety coordinator for my plant. I embarked on some notable projects to improve our safety performance. I included the information on my CV and it went a long way in helping me in my interviews and securing jobs in the oil industry.

http://www.jarushub.com/common-questions-and-answers-on-oil-and-gas-careers-iii/
http://www.jarushub.com/common-questions-answers-on-oil-gas-careers-iv/

abimcdssi:
What's the best way to go about the interview question : what is your biggest weakness? without giving the cliche "I'm a perfectionist" and "I have problem delegating". Thanks

That awkward moment when you type a comprehensive response to an enquiry and it gets mistakenly wiped off on your laptop when you are set to send I will type an abridged version later.


Cheers....