Undergraduates: Why you should take your IT seriously
Mustafa Yusuf-Adebola
Mustafa, a chartered accountant, works in Lagos
So, the ASUU strike has been called off, the hiatus is now over and the cliché question always is, “what did you do during the strike?” As it is with students, the strike was a waste of time as they had already planned their years in school but for about 3 decades now, the norm in public universities is to spend ‘4a + x years’ where ‘4’ is the minimum number of years to spend in school, ‘a’ is the variable to add if the course you studied requires more years (like law) and ‘x’ is the statistical prediction of the time dedicated to random strikes by labour unions.
Perhaps this article would have come in handy last July (the month ASUU went on strike) as I do not expect any industrial action in the nearest future but all the same, the SIWES (Student Industrial Work Experience Scheme) programme is not one to be overlooked as an undergraduate. Equally called ‘I.T’ (Industrial Training) or Internship, SIWES is a government approved programme that forms part of the university curriculum to enable students bring theories into practise via relevant work experience.
Depending on your institution and course of study, it could take place in your 2nd year, 3rdyear or what-have-you. Bearing in mind that some students are their own employers when they fill the SIWES log book (if you know what I mean) and all the other ‘runs’ students adopt to circumvent the scheme, here are top reasons why you should take your ‘I.T’ seriously even if it is a zero unit course:
- Adds up to your CV: The government’s intention was to expose students to the labour market. Whilst some couldn’t wait for the ASUU strike to be called off, others had a massive 6 months added to their work experience. If you doubt this, just enquire from ex-corps members presently in the labour market. The constant question interviewers ask pertains to where you have worked before, your experience etc.? Frustrated, job seekers wonder, “where do I get this experience from?” With the government pronouncement to post a lot of corps members to schools in recent times, such placements during service do not help matters. So, learn from the mistakes of your elder ones, get a placement for your IT. You may want to reconsider not filling in your log book properly – your daily experiences could serve as items to make use of in drafting your CV.
- Adds to your contacts (Networking): These days, some job seekers have this mind-set that you cannot get a job except you are ‘connected’. Whilst this is true for some organisations (unprofessional), some do not publicly advertise or would rather make use of those who have worked with them or had contact with them. A particular new generation bank has vacancies monthly in one of its departments; rather than bringing in external people, they would rather bring staff from other branches or departments. Well, your SIWES programme serves an opportunity to network with staff and the employer(s). Make sure you perform your duties like (or/and even better than) a normal staff will so they can take note of you– show keen interest in learning processes and the structure of the organisation. After the completion of the programme, keep in touch with the organisation.
- Employment Opportunities: I mentioned keeping in touch in the last point. Well, that is necessary. We do have our plans and dream places where we wish to work however, circumstances change and external factors can alter our plans. Nevertheless, where you had your SIWES sometimes could be a place where you start your first job after service. I have seen people who did this and the companies were willing to take them in based on past experience(s). Even if the company is not willing to pay or pays less than expected salary, it still serves as a template to be busy whilst looking for another job after service year. Based on the relationship you develop with them, assimilation can be easy in the future.
- Brings theory into reality: Well, this is another objective of the government. A major concern for analysts is the rate at which (under)graduates embrace rote-learning – a term a friend calls ‘la cram, la pour, la forget’! We have a lot of students who simply cram study materials and ‘pour it down’ during exams only to forget it shortly afterwards. It is a reason why a physics graduate cannot identify a Bunsen Burner, a computer scientist will think a USB port is an American made cookware or an insurance graduate would fight someone who bashes his car (vehicle insurance!). These work experiences help you in enjoying/understanding your course of study and even helps during professional or/and school examinations – you can easily relate to what is written in textbooks or what your lecturer teaches.
- Adds to your exposure: Similar to previous points above, your IT exposes you to the industry. It all depends on your curiosity or inquisitiveness. There are graduates who still don’t have an idea of where or what industries they can fit in after service. In today’s world, information is precious and not only keeps you ahead in the game; it aids in mapping out your plan accordingly. When I mentioned “PWC” to an economics graduate recently, the fellow thought I was talking about a football club (covers face). A good number of undergraduates are not properly exposed – all they think is that when they graduate, they will get a job. What the job is, they probably have no idea what. The perfect picture to them is sitting in an office or wearing suits. Some companies are popular because they are in the news et al but your IT should help you address previous misconceptions and set the records straight for you so you don’t end up throwing your CV here and there after NYSC. You can also talk to permanent staff as they can share experiences with you too.
Now, the big question is “where do I do my IT” (Nigerian English). Just like NYSC placement, you normally serve the prospective company a letter indicating your interest to work there for a stipulated period. Some may accept, some may not but it is up to you to make arrangements ahead – talk about having eggs in your basket. Talk to family, friends, neighbours and even lecturers you have good rapport with. These days, IT (Information Technology) has helped (lucky you) as some companies now publicly advertise their internship programs.
Finally, I’d advise you not to focus on money for now. Yes, the allure is needed in these ‘hard times’ but inasmuch as they (employers) are using you, see it as you using them for your future benefits! Attitude is everything – if you do not set your goals straight, you may eventually end up being engaged only in peripheral duties at your placement.
Thank you sir for this piece of information I did as you have rightly said during my IT and it has really help me even as am about to rounding up my NYSC come feb.