CONFUSION OF A THIRD CLASS GRADUATE

Good Day Sir Jarus, I wouldn’t want to write a long epistle, so I will just make my question short and straight to the point.

I am a 3rd class graduate from one of the federal universities with a Bsc in Banking and Finance, due to some reasons I wouldn’t want to talk about here.

But here is my problem, I am presently serving with less than 8 months left, and I am confused on whether to go for my PGD then masters? Or get some certificates like ICAN (accounting) or CIBN (banking)?

I’m also very good with computers, but I don’t know if going for some IT certs is a good move? Bearing in mind that most of them are very expensive. Which do you think will better my chances in the Job market? I will be 26 by August. Thanks. Please I will like my details to remain anonymous.

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Dear Anonymous,

To be brutally frank, 3rd class degree will pose a tough challenge if you want to seek employment in Nigeria, irrespective of other certificates used to garnish it. The reason is simple: almost 100% of decent jobs use first degree to screen first before any other certificate. ICAN, CIBN are in most cases additional qualifications. They hardly supplant grade made in first degree. There are just hundreds of thousands of 2.1 and 2.2 grads out there employers think they need to set a criteria to screen the multiple of folk.

That said, examples abound of third-classers that still went ahead to make it in paid salaried employment. So there is no harm in giving it a shot. ICAN is far more marketable than CIBN, so that will naturally be my choice. IT is driven more by hands-on experience and expertise than certificates, so while I will not be able to tell you which exact  IT certification to pursue, I can at least tell you that building your practical IT skills will be very helpful. In fact, if there is any field that grade is easily disregarded for skills, it is IT. So IT expertise makes some employers ignore poor grade.

I will also advise you look at the option of self employment too. What can you offer with your computer knowledge? There are many aspects of IT that you can easily explore and be own on your own. I hire guys to get many aspects of this portal done and I pay them. I pay graphic designers, website designers, and other guys that sort me out whenever a specialized it skill is required. these are young guys making cool bucks from their skills.

As for Masters or PGD, you may explore that option too (preferably combined with these other options). If you don’t need it now, you will need it in the nearest future. It also makes it easy for employers to overlook your first degree deficit.

All the best.

Jarus

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