DILEMMA OF A STUDENT-POLITICIAN: CGPA OR LEADERSHIP SKILLS BUILDING:?

Good Morning Sir,

I am a chemical engineering student (200L) in one of the federal universities in Nigeria. I never had any reason to worry about my academics till now. I entered 200L with a CGPA of 4.78, but while trying to add to my leadership experience which I have built from secondary school, I joined student politics (and I am presently an exco in my department) which is kind of distracting me right now. We just finished our 1st semester exams and I am not impressed with the way I performed.

Everyone is looking forward to me becoming the president in the next session (of which I would really love to)
From my research although I’m not really sure but I think you and Sir Michael (PhD) were president of your departmental association at OAU and I too would love to achieve same feat.

So, Sir, from your experience so far do you think these things are of any significance when I get into the labour
market? Even if they are sir, considering how it has distracted me this semester, do you advise me to give up the politics in order to face my education squarely? Thanks and God bless you for your good work.

P.E

****

Dear Brother,

I don’t have any problem with a student participating in departmental politics, I also did. I played godfather role for some years and contested for the position of Secretary of my departmental association in final year, but lost. The two weeks of hectic campaigns were one hell of a period for me: serial strategy meetings, sometimes late into the night;  writing materials to circulate; campaign visits to classes and hostels; preparing for manifesto night; etc. I did crash programmes for the tests I had in that period. I was also the president or active member of a couple of other associations on campus, although those ones were given to me voluntarily.

I must confess they come at big cost, especially the departmental ones.

However, it still boils down to the individual. Yes, you’re correct that Dr. Michael also contested for and won presidency of his departmental association; yet still graduated with good grade.

Leadership positions in school are actually good: they are avenue to network,  just as they present a chance to gain experience in teamwork. In fact, the CEO of one of the multinational consulting firms in Nigeria used to say that one of the things he looks for on a CV is leadership activities in school, that, having one shows you have been able to influence your peers in school and you should be a good fit for his company. I also had an interview with a company in 2006 where my interviewer, the Deputy MD of that company, looked at my CV and said it was too serious – first class, awards etc – no social activities, I quickly pointed to where I was President of one Association on campus, on the CV. Some company interview processes, like Shell, will also ask you to narrate times in the past where you led a team or influenced a team and things like that. Your experience in things like that come handy in such situations.

HOWEVER, NEVER AT THE EXPENSE OF YOUR ACADEMICS PLEASE. No job vacancy will say “you must be president of your departmental association”, but “you must have First Class or Second Class Upper”. Class of degree trumps any other thing; it is the first and most basic criterion in shortlisting. It is when you’re shortlisted that other things, like leadership roles, come to play.  Without those things, you can still get decent jobs; but without good degree, it’s going to be tough, even if you have tested leadership skills.

Some people combine them effortlessly, but in your case where the current position is already affecting your studies, my frank advice if that you should not contest for presidency, a bigger role. 4.78 is a good CGPA that you should not let slip. Your studies first please.

All the best.

Jarus

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