10 Helpful Tips For Graduates With 2.2. and Lower Grades
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.
A lot of emphasis have been placed on the need for students to graduate with stellar grades. I will continue to advise same. It’s common knowledge that most big firms in Nigeria don’t recruit graduates with less than a 2.1. Many graduates with 2.2 or lower are not even given the chance to prove themselves, eventhough some of them may be better than some graduates with higher grades. This is exacerbated by the high unemployment rate in Nigeria. It won’t be a shocking news to know that there are still a few organizations that aren’t even accepting corps members (before the recent policy on posting), graduate interns and contract staff with grades lower than 2.1.
But that truth remains that students will continue to graduate with such grades, whether we want it or not. Many finish with such grades for reasons that are entirely avoidable while others are caused by factors seemingly beyond their control. But whatever the reason, they still deserve to live a fulfilled and responsible life. A few have sought my advice as they appear confused after graduating with 2.2. or third class. I have therefore decided to provide some general tips that can help graduates with 2.2 and lower. This is based on personal observation and experiences of others, some of whom I know to have made remarkable successes despite their low grades. Adapt them to your peculiar situation.
1. Work on your mindset – This is the first step towards overcoming the challenge of having a low grade. Accept the reality that it is likely going to be tougher for you out there compared to other graduates and start preparing for it. Know that you will most likely have to prove yourself and work harder than others. Don’t sit and whine peevishly about how life has been unfair to you. Life itself is a challenge. Realize the challenges on time and brace up for it. Don’t waste precious time on regrets and don’t fall into the trap of inferiority complex.
2. Network – Let’s face the facts and not deceive ourselves. Graduating with a 2.2 means that chances of joining the one of the big companies as an entry level staff in Nigeria in an open recruitment process is lower than others with better grades. Very few companies give 2.2 graduates the even the slightest opportunity to prove themselves. It is therefore very essential for you to learn to network. Improve your interpersonal skills and hone your networking skills. From observation, more than 70% of the graduates I know that graduated with 2.2 or less in the last 5 years got their jobs through networking. Strengthen your networking skills. Go to conferences, professional associations, etc. Get reliable contacts and industry informants. Polish your linkedin profile. Don’t ignore religious and ethnic gatherings too. Friends can also be very helpful.
3. Improve your communication skill and confidence – This cannot be overemphasized. Communication skills (speaking and writing) can greatly enhance your chances of getting a job. The difference between 2 equally smart graduates may boil down to the ability of one being to express himself more than the other. Communication and confidence go together. Confidence in speaking can even make falsehood appear true. Have you ever wondered why con artists are able to swindle people? They talk and write displaying great poise and confidence. This is not to say that you need to lie arrogantly to get a job. I’m simply reiterating the need for you to sell yourself suitably because no one else will. You stand a better chance if you can.
4. Go for a masters or professional certification as soon as possible- While a masters or certification will not entirely take away the drawback caused by having a 2.2, it might ameliorate the effect. Believe me, there is a big difference between a BSc (2.2) in Accounting and a BSc (2.2) in Accounting + ICAN certification. Same goes for a BSc (2.2) in electrical engineering and a BSc (2.2) electrical engineering + MSc (distinction) in software engineering. Some companies are willing to consider 2.2 backed with a masters degree. The last NNPC advert for entry level positions considered 2.2 but with Masters degree. Besides, one can pursue an academic career depending on how good your postgraduate results are. It is good to consider a good postgraduate programme
5. Learn new skills – Your skills can enhance your employability. Search for suitable skills that can complement your BSc degree or help you build a career for which you are interested. I have seen graduates learn programming, graphic designs, web design, etc and making a whole lot of money from them. Some learn useful engineering softwares. Some are simply astounding when it comes to database management. Others have great marketing ability. Quite a few are good writers and bloggers. The list goes on and on.
6. Don’t be discouraged to start small – While it is not impossible that you land the big dream job in a top organization on your first trial, the chances may not be very high. Fortunately, the significance of grades diminish gradually as you acquire relevant job experience. Never feel discouraged if you have to start from a humbling work background. You do need that relevant job experience. It may come from an internship or volunteer experience. It may be a frustrating one-man business. The pay may appear too little for your comfort. The employment may be on contract basis. It doesn’t matter. Squeeze out as much experience as you can. All those experiences from the so-called ‘dirty’ jobs can add significant weight to your resume in your next big job hunt.
7. Practice hard copy CV circulation – We all know that there are very few openly advertised vacancies that require 2.2. for entry level positions. You might wait endlessly as a 2.2 graduate if you are seeking only publicly advertised jobs. Common! Quit waiting! Clean up your CV and cover letter, and pursue the unadvertised jobs. Go for unsolicited job applications. You will be positively surprised by how much success you can achieve by that singular but potent act of dropping CV’s.
8. Get mentors – There is nothing more inspiring than seeing others who have passed through the same struggles and have overcome. You should try and get one or two mentors that can share their experiences and guide you appropriately in your career pursuits.
9. Consider other available options – You may need to do some critical thinking about options that are open for you. In some cases, students finish with low grades because they chose the wrong course . And in such situations, it may be very difficult to compete against other motivated graduates of same or similar courses. Like a Nigerian adage says ‘ there is more than one route to the marketplace’. Are there other career options available for you to delve into? Have you considered entrepreneurship, multi-level marketing, sales job, etc? Do you love fashion designing, estate management, information technology, etc? Are there ‘menial’ jobs you have handled in the past that can fetch you big money if you decide to go fully into it – like maintenance jobs, food services, dry cleaning jobs, etc.
10. Exercise patience and pray – Don’t expect a sudden breakthrough immediately. If it happens, rejoice. If it does not, keep developing yourself. Exercise some patience and continue to work hard. I sincerely believe in the powers of miracle. We all need some elements of luck (some call it favour) in the labour market. That’s where the power of prayer comes.
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Thank you for sharing this inspiring piece.I’m a living witness of what it feels like to graduate with a 2.2. There’s so much discrimination evrywhere. But with this information,I now know how to overcome joblessness.
great thanks to JarusHub
Thanks for this write up Mr Jarus. I graduated with a 2,2 (3.3 cgpa) in microbiology from Unizik. My dream had always been to go for a direct entry in medicine or one of the medical courses. Obviously my grades can’t get me a direct entry and i dont want to start all over. My plan now is to go for masters in pharmaceutical microbiology or industrial microbiology but i m worried about my grade. Can 3.3cgpa gain me admission to do masters without first doing PGD? please advice a worried fellow
It depends on school, but I think it should.
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This is a great piece jarus! It’s about moving forward, not brooding over an unaltered past.
I stumbled upon your career hub today while surfing through Accenture Nigeria site. Have been greatly motivated. Guess I LL visit here daily.
I really appreciate your passion here for Nigerian youths and our career dilemma. I’ve learnt much on this hub today.
Hoping to share my success story soon.
Once again, many thanks jarus❕
Thanks for the information. I am graduate of ap
plied chemistry with third class, currently working with a construction firm as reinforcement supervisor, I’m thinking of doing my post graduate in civil or chemical engineering,pls can this really work out for me. Thanks.
Good day Sir, God bless you for all your advises and tips. I graduated with a 2.2 in accounting and i am currently serving in Kaduna state. Just want to know what my job options are.
thanks so much 4 ur good write up.. I graduated with 2.2 political science Esut Enugu. Having known the cursed country called Nigeria and it’s tribal and regional work dt our leaders bequeathed us with, I went back to school and continue my masters in International Relations.. I know that at the end of the tunnel light will shine, weather Nigeria is good or Nigeria is bad.. thanks for your candid advice to young Nigerians
Reading this article,i will say am a little bit relieved. I studied management and graduated with 2.2 grade from ABSU and am so much disappointed cos so many hope are on me to deliver but with my grade I feel I let them down. So please sir,i will like you to suggest for me possible things to do while I wait for my miracle to come…thanks
Good artical !
Thanks for the time you took in coaching me. Please am a mechanical engineering graduate with a very low cgpa and that’s a kind of affecting my chances of getting a job. Currently am thinking of pursuing my masters degree to add value to my degree. I have in mind Environmental magt course and project mgt and ict which one do u advice me to enroll. Betterstill What is your general advice for me as to what course to study to help me in chances of securing a job bcz I don’t like the course I studied.
Kind Regards.
nice and motivating piece from you. thanks,am inspired.
This is very true. I graduated with a 2.2 in Agric Econs and immediately rushed back to school to do a masters in Economics. Though am still yet to finish but i know the dividend that comes with it.
good work Jarushub is doing here I really appreciate ur work. however, I graduated wit second class lower (cgpa=2.58) I really want to move forward in studies so am planning of going for my masters in environmental chemistry and pollution control in UI, so I don’t knw weather my cgpa will affect my admission to do my masters. pls I need ur candid response and advice thanks
Get in touch with any student of UI and ask them to help you confirm.
thanks for this wonderful thoughts, I am really encouraged, am graduate of accounting and presently running professional course, immediately am done, am equally going for master programme.
I must say that’s a great write up. I also graduated with a 2.2 and to make matters worse, I’m in my late 20’s. But I have refused to allow that deter me. I’m presently pursuing an MSc degree, just concluded basic SAP training (will be going for the associate level next), plan on taking professional courses in automation and control as well as process engineering. The point is.this, I might not have 5 years of experience but I have the skills. and just to.add to what the writer said, even if you will walk into any coy or network, make sure you have something they need…Do not show up empty-handed.
You have done more than enough. I believe so much in all the principles your have shared concerning pursuing a career despite having a lower grade. It is good to always maintain a positive mindsets @ all time. Thanks for your contribution towards human capacity development in Nigeria.
Thanks so much for the info. I graduated from uniben with 2.2 (cgpa 2.52) in computer science education(Faculty of Education) I want to do my masters abroad but I don’t know if it’s going to be possible?
Thanks so much for the info. I graduated from uniben with 2.2 (cgpa 2.52) in computer science education(Faculty of Education) I want to do my masters abroad but I don’t know if it’s going to be possible? Let me know how possible it maybe.
This is a lovely write-up has it helped calm my nerves. I graduated with a 2.2 (cgpa=2.86) in chemical Engineering and presently serving in Lagos. I hope to further my studies by Doing my Masters. What’s your advice on what course i should do?
It depends on your interest.
interesting site i have learnt a lot i ll be visiting here more often
Good day sir, I am a graduate, 3rd class degree in accounting from Unimaid, have qualified as ACA. Can I get admission for a masters degree?
Talk to the admission office of the school you intend to apply to
Can a student with 2.2(2.43) graduate with 2.1
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Thanks a million. If there’s anything I keep reminding myself, it’s the fact that I could have done better. I’m. Nothing near dull but who cares? I could have sacrificed my hustles and challenges for a 2.1 at least but now all I have to do is regret. I’m going for my masters soon and yes; I hope I don’t get to use my degree…
I made a 3rd class in economic and currently working in a school as an admin/account person. I want to take a pdg program in financial management in national open university, please your advice. Thanks
Am very scared at what’s really happening to my CGPA currently.
Am a final year student and my current CGPA is 3.47 which I haven’t added this present year to it.
I just need a mentor who would help me to achieve this 2.1.
I am a petroleum and gas engineering graduate, with a very low grade, though working with an oil and gas servicing firm now, but still not contented kos I wish to go for my masters, PhD and on the long run become a lecturer and help students not go through what i went throug. So, I have been thinking and planning on going for a second degree still in engineering, mechanical engineerjng to be precise. And I learnt I can go for a 3yrs top up program, dont really know how.
Dont know if this is a good idea or if h have anything better than this, kindly help.
Thanks so much for the info. I graduated from pakistan with (cgpa 3.6) in computer science education(Faculty of Education) I want to do my masters abroad but I don’t know if it’s going to be possible?
Possible. Check the foreign schools you have in mind
wow thanks. learning new skill that solve problems is the key