CAREER DILEMMA: BETWEEN MSC AND INTERNATIONAL NGO JOB
Dear Jarus,
I have been following your write ups for some time now and I am really impressed with the way you are helping our generation make an informed career decisions. May almighty Allah reward you abundantly.
I am in dilemma, I am a graduate of Accounting with second class lower (narrowly missed 2.1 because I am married with kids to take care of). After my service year I decided to go back to school for my post graduate studies and I secured admission to study Msc Accounting. I registered and about to start lectures then an offer of appointment come as finance assistant with International NGO.
Now here are the issues:
1, The two cannot go together
2, The offer is for initial period of 6 months with possibility of renewal based on performance as with all NGOs
3, It will take me 3 years to complete my MSc (due to Nigerian factor) and start a career in academic
The Questions:
1, Which career path do you suggest?
2, Is waiting for 3 years to complete Msc before starting my career worthwhile considering the uncertainty of the Nigerian labour market?
3, What are the prospects, challenges and opportunities of career in International NGOs in Nigeria?
4, What do you think is the average salary of finance assistant in USAID funded Projects in Nigeria? Just guess or contact your network for information please?
5, Which one is the best option in the long run?
6, Seems there are more employment opportunities in the NGOs than in the academics considering the number of adverts in the newspapers these days especially in the north. What is your take on this?
Thank you.
Fati
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Dear Fati,
1 Which career path do you suggest?
Targeting accounting or similar role in the public sector (government agencies) looks fitting to you. It gives time for family and other personal commitments. Private sector isn’t bad either. I will advise your pursue a career in accounting.
2 Is waiting for 3 years to complete Msc before starting my career worthwhile considering the uncertainty of the Nigerian labour market?
Take the NGO job. Experience trumps Msc. You can defer the admission. Or if you lose it, you can always apply again. Getting Msc admission in Nigeria isn’t that difficult.
3 What are the prospects, challenges and opportunities of career in International NGOs in Nigeria?
There are various levels of International MGOs, but most are decent. International NGOs give you international exposure. You also enjoy the job as the Nigerian factor is very minimal there, and they are hardly bothered about petty things. If you do your job well, I’m sure you will enjoy it. The downside is it is usually termed contract. They may keep renewing though. They may decide not to renew the contract, or even quit Nigeria after completion of their project. But no matter how short, I think you will enjoy your experience there. It may also be a good stepping stone.
4 What do you think is the average salary of finance assistant in USAID funded Projects in Nigeria? Just guess or contact your network for information please.
I was once offered about N800k per month by one, I didn’t take it. But I’m an experienced hire, with about 8 years experience then. My friend, a medical doctor with over 10 years experience, was recently offered about N1.8m by another international agency operating in Nigeria. I used to have a accountant friend that worked in another, with about N400k per month. For an entry level finance assistant like you, I guess something in the range of N200k-N300k should be expected.
5, Which one is the best option in the long run
Take the job now. Msc can always wait.
6, Seems there are more employment opportunities in the NGOs than in the academics considering the number of adverts in the newspapers these days especially in the north. What is your take on this?
This is true.
I wish you all the best.
Jarus
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