Hi, I came across this platform through Nairaland and I must admit you’re doing a very good job. I studied Physics in one of the reputable Federal Universities but graduated with a 2:2. In fact, I just completed my NYSC. Due to my inability of making a 2:1, I have been missing out on entry level job aptitude tests for graduate trainees but I have not allowed that deter me from forging on. I have a passion for I.T. particularly Networking. I already have a CCNA certification.
Now I’m considering a Masters degree in Systems Engineering in UNILAG, and while at it, obtain more Networking professional certifications (CCNP, MCSE, N+, CWNA etc.) so as to boost my chances of getting employed as a Network Analyst.
Please, I need you to advise me on the right steps to take after my Masters program.
What are my chances of landing a good job in a Telecoms or I.T. firm?
Will my 2:2 still be a hindrance? Will I still apply after all as an entry level applicant?
Finally, what do you make of my email address (ayomide****@gmail.com)? Does it look officially toned enough or would you suggest I create a new one using my full names?
Thank you.
Ayo
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I passed this to a member of my team that is in the best position to respond:
RUFAI AJIBOLA
Rufai studied Physics at the University of Ilorin, Nigeria and got his second degree from the Sunderland University, UK. He currently works in Qatar.
Dear Ayo,
I can feel your concerns and to a reasonable extent, perceive your worries. I equally studied Physics in UNILORIN , and although I strove to have a ‘weak’ 2.1, it still didn’t afford me the considerations for aptitude tests as much as I had thought. The point there is: there are too many ‘qualified’ applicants chasing just few openings. Yet, there are ways to absolve oneself of the rhetoric. Let me answer your
questions first as I’ve numbered them:
(1). Before you finish your MSc, try to make contacts. I mean, professional ones and in corporate ways. Build a
LinkedIn profile and search for employees in those chosen industries – both local and abroad. Look into their profiles, see what qualifications they have and what professional membership they’ve attained. Add connections,’follow’ the companies, send job requisition emails and so on. These you can do on twitter too. It’s really efficient.
Tip: You may need to decide if you will drop your MSc pursuit in case you get an offer during your MSc. study. If you ask me, I’ll say drop it like it’s hot!
(2). The steps suggested above may have taken you to the doorsteps of Telecom/I.T industries already. Please don’t narrow your interest to these two firms only. Although, they may be the largest employers of ‘Network Analyst’ but surely they are not the highest remunerators. Banks, Varsities, law firms, audit firms, even malls (Shoprite) surely need your service too, and they pay well. Don’t tell me you want to be too selective at this stage! Or is it that you aren’t aware yet of the usefulness of Network Analysis in various industries, plus the tendency of Nigeria to massively embrace network/inter-connectivity regime as the economy jostles for growth?
(3). Your 2.2 may not be a deterrence, only if you have possessed more distinguishing qualifications like CCNA,MSCE,etc. It’s one of the rhetoric I was talking about. When you start your Masters’ class, you may likely come across several other people who are routing for MSc as a way out of their ‘2-2’ palaver, and thus the need to distinguish yourself again.
(4). Sadly, YES! because, practically you would not have had any working experience to elevate you above ‘entry level’. It’s exasperating. In industry psyche, you can’t jump entry-level to say, mid-career level simply because you have MSc. In that case, it may bring you at par with an ordinary BSc holder, but with 1st Class, and hence may give you in for an unfavourable comparison.
(5) Your email is OK as far as I’m concerned. I don’t have objection.
WHAT YOU CAN ALSO DO:
Having answered your concerns already, I may now advise that:
>>>>> Should you have economic hardship in doing all at once (MSc plus the other professional certs,) you should consider dropping MSc for the latter. What you need more is professional qualification(s). It’s what will distinguish you from the ‘teeming population of MSc holders/pursuants”. It’s what may offer you a preference even over a 1st class BSc. holder (as far as Science/Engineering field is concerned). It’s in fact what will make potential employers ‘focus-less’ on your ‘almost zero’ years of experience. Note that, MSc provides you with (theoretical)’knowledge’, while professional qualifications offer you the practical, ‘ready-to-use experience’!
Ironically, industries want this experience first, because they claim to have the knowledge already. When a firm employs you to use Ms Word, she wants to engage your experience in typing,saving files, copy/paste etc, NOT the advantages of Msword over Notepad nor history of MsWord, nor impact of MsWord on corporate productivity,etc. The latter ‘jargons’ is what a MSc offers you. You can resort to it after you’ve learnt the proper usage of MsWord and then boost your career with ‘MSc in Microsoft Word’ to climb managerial or scholastic level.
>>>>> As you have delved into IT, good luck! I suggest you don’t ignore the security aspect of CCNA, vis a vis Intelligence tools and Optimization Systems. Companies (including my employer) uses this and other top tier products like Juniper-NetScreen, CheckPoint, etc. CCNA is lovely (& too co) but you should also consider CISA and CISM. They are not too cumbersome to write Don’t master these complex tools while missing out basics like Microsoft ERP. You don’t want your skills to be too alien to your potential employer.
>>>>>Get a laptop if you don’t have one. Building contacts, searching membership, exams, practicing your skills and mastering (for
interview purposes) are not what you can do with Blackberry Z100! Interviews for such position don’t require ‘extensive logical (but ) annoying ‘entry-level’ questions (like ”
why do you think we should hire you”)! You are asked few basic questions only and then straight to the computer to demonstrate what you said you know! In fact,ability to install or navigate with Network-based Firewalls during
interview is itself a criterion that will make any serious employer forget that you had no working experience
>>>>> What about Primavera P6 too? I’m sure you know its use. These things are what big guys in Nigeria/abroad are feeding on. Please follow suit. And yes, I know they are expensive. It could be that tough when struggling to climb the first rung of a ladder, once you find a foot-hold, the rest is fun!
I wish you all the best.
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