Depressed by his 3rd class degree…….but it’s actually not the end of the world, we tell him
For someone who had left school about 6 years ago, the career and corporate level at which I am operating now is quite low. I left Nnamdi Azikiwe University Awka in 2006/2007 with a 3rd Class Degree in Statistics. I must admit that psychologically, I had suffered a deficit because I felt 3rd Class was a true representation of my level of competence and ability.
I relocated to Lagos in 2012 in order to seek for ‘greener pastures’, a byword that has become an oft bandied-about word amongst Nigerian Graduates. In February 2013, I enrolled for a 6 Months program, Integrated Brand Experience at Orange Academy in Ikeja, touted to be the only school of Brand Advertising in Nigeria. I interned with BrandPower Magazine for 4 months but was laid off in January 2014. Though I was doing something I was good at there, yet the pay was quite paltry(N20, 000). Currently, I don’t have a job and I must admit, I feel as though I am the most incompetent graduate around. I have submitted resume after resume to companies, both offline and online. I am puzzled that an infinitesimally negligible number of those companies have invited me for an interview or even acknowledged receipt of both my cover letter and CV. Perhaps it may be necessary to attach my CV so you go through it and pinpoint what may be wrong with it.
I write well, at least that much, most people who have read my articles can attest to and possess a cache of knowledge about the socio-political history of Nigeria and the West. I can engage in an intelligible conversation and I am quite capable of initiating creative thought processes. I have a strong interest in making entrepreneural ideas coming to life, Graduate Capacity Development, Creative Thinking and Innovation. Right now, I am at crossroads as I do not know if I should go ahead and get more training in order to be a facilitator(which has been a dream I have secretly nursed) or to keep searching for jobs. For the former, I do not have the money to pay for the often expensive fees that these trainings require, while for the latter, I have a problem of a short attention span as I easily get bored at a job if it is no longer challenging enough.
However, as much as I have shown so much potentials, inexplicably, I still fall short of the requisite professional level that my abilities deserve. I would really value your advice and I would not mind if I get an appointment with you. I would still appreciate a reply to this email. Attached to this mail are copies of a number of articles which I have written in the past which have been published on online media platforms like omojuwa.com, brandpowerng.com and givemefootball.com.
Thank You for taking the time and effort to read this mail. I would really appreciate it if you reply with your characteristic incision and insight.
Have a beautiful day.
Alphonsus E.W
*****
First, my guess is: you had 3rd class because you did a wrong course – statitistics. Your communication and articulation skills do not suggest you are a dull guy. But let me pass this to my investment columnist who also had a 3rd class some 16 years ago and doing well today. He will definitely know better.
The guy who made a third class should not be discouraged. The purpose of our education is to help us to solve problems and equip us with the skills and tools that will make us productive members of the society.In my opinion I think Alphonsus wasted 6 good years after graduating with a 3rd class in 2007. I know what I achieved within 4 years after graduating with a third class from UNILAG in 1998.
I will advice him to go for further qualifications if he has the finances, he can learn a trade that is relevant to the real-estate sector or pick up a teaching job. Good teaching jobs are available to people who have good communication skills and can impart knowledge and additional qualifications may enhance his ability to get a job provided he has the money to further his education. Since the guy read statistics he can improve on his communication skill and pick up a teaching job, a teaching job in Mathematics or Sciences will definitely pay him far more than the N20,000 which he currently earns, the money he earns as a teacher can now be used to pay for further studies.
A guy who read statistics in UNILAG around 2008 and also graduated with a 3rd class, taught for four years during his teaching career he qualified as a chartered stockbrokers and now works for one of the top stockbroking firms in Nigeria.
Another guy who made 3rd class in quantity surveying learnt Aluminum fabrication within 4 months, and has handled multimillion Naira jobs working for banks and other commercial enterprises. High school dropouts are making good money in the construction industry, the guy that plastered my house charged almost 300k for a job that was concluded within 10 days.
Three of us graduated with third class in 1998, Wole is now a big time real estate investor in UK and Nigeria, Gbenga is a top IT guy with the biggest GSM company in Nigeria and Yours truly Emmanuel Ewumi is not doing badly by all standards.
I will advice Alphonsus to develop himself intellectually and entrepreneurially, if people with little or no education are struggling to make it and they are making it, I think any graduate no matter the class of his degree should be able to make it. We only need to think out of the box.
Wishing you all the best.
A 3rd Class Degree in Statistics with unquestionable integrity and good human relationship can use you to the top in life. More importantly, I would advice you go to God to find out His direction and purpose for your life.
This may sound foolish to the wisdom of the world but I tell you that is the best way to start.
SA
Nice write-up…
Thank you
Hi,
Came across this article today and found it interesting. I went to Orange academy also and would like to know how things turned out for you 5 years ltr (it’s 2018). Did you get a teaching job? did you go back into marketing communications? Would love to hear from you. Really hope you get this. Ciao!