What certification can I acquire as an engineering student before graduation that would give me an edge in the job market?

Good Day Sir,

My name is Oghene. I am a big fan of your blog and your faithful follower on Nairaland; I am 23 years old in 200 level in a federal university, studying electrical/electronics engineering. I just won a chevron scholarship.

My issue is that:
1. I don’t know what the future holds, I don’t want to be a liability to anyone after graduation as I am been sponsored by my uncle. You know the labour market is driven with certificates, what certification do you think I can acquire as an engineering student before graduation that would give me an edge in the job market.

I have passed this to my friend, Michael Taiwo, an engineer, to help you on it. When he replies I will update this post for his advice. However, most of my high-flying engineering graduate friends actually didn’t have much certificates before graduating, just solid grade (First Class or 2.1, and smartness that goes  beyond academics). Except a few that have some computer skills. But let me not pre-empt Michael’s advice. [See Michael’s view below]

2. I’m currently on a CGPA of 4.31, I have a strong passion for teaching, would love to be a lecturer after my schooling but the problem is that I would love to work in the industry before lecturing, do think is better I immediately follow my lecturing dream?

I personally hold that having industry experience makes lecturing more value-adding. Top university teachers in top American, European and even Nigerian schools have industry experience, and it makes it easy for them to go beyond theories. Last May, I was in Scotland, in my Finance Class (MBA), and I must say the real-life experience of my lecturer made the class highly enjoyable and value-adding. It was a confluence of real life happenings and theory. For every theory we learned, there was always an example from Yahoo, Apple, Google, Microsoft and other corporations to buttress that theory. This will even be moreso for engineers. However, while I prefer real life experience before teaching, I concede that it is not compulsory. You can still be a great teacher without practical experience. Fortunately or unfortunately, it is actually easier to get leacturing job than job in the industry. I leave you with whichever you think is better for you from the options I analyse above.

 

3. My school would be having a long holiday of up to 3 months very soon, I don’t want to waste those 3 months, what do you think I can do that would benefit my career within this period?

If you can get a good place to intern, do. This will give you practical workplace experience, as well as opportunity to network. If you don’t get one, then try to lay your hands on other things – those materials you were not able to read, or only scratched the surface just to pass exams. Try out other skills you think you have but your academics did not allow you to delve into (like some computer or vocational skills).

 

As for your scholarship, I’m happy for you. I was also Chevron scholar in my year 2 (2003 set), but unfortunately frittered the N250,000  the company gave to me then (in two instalments) within one or two semesters and returned to asking for money from home again. Don’t be like me, do well with the cash. Buy quality textbooks you need, you may also want to invest part of it, like N50,000. Beware of friends that will come and borrow N20,000 etc, (I lost a large chunk of my Chevron windfall to that). If you attended a cheap school like me (OAU – where I paid N2590 and school and hostel fees, and when it was hiked in final year, paid N17500), you wont spend much on school fees.

I’m also interested in your CGPA. 4.31 is a good one, but at 200 level, it’s still a long way to go. First class bracket is just 0.19 points away. You may want to take your calculator, run your permutations on how to shoot your CGPA into 4.50 and maintain it, set a target and pursue it with vigour.  But in any case, don’t fall below 4 points.

I wish you all the best.

Jarus

++++++

MICHAEL TAIWO

Congratulations on your Chevron scholarship! I like that you are already thinking about the future, it shows you are far-sighted and focused.

Based on your desire to be a lecturer, I would advise that it is best for you to go abroad immediately after your studies to get your Masters and then PhD.

Don’t get it in Nigeria; go to the UK, USA or Canada to get these advance degrees then you come back home to lecture.

In light of this, I would advise that you start practicing for the GRE (Graduate Records Examination) and TOEFL. If you excel at these exams, you will get a scholarship for your Masters. So during this upcoming three-month break and during any subsequent break, focus on these exams and start looking for schools that can give you a scholarship.

One more thing, bring up your CGPA. 4.31 is good but it is not great; push it up a little bit.

I wish you the best.

Thanks

Don’t forget to: Nominate Jarushub.com for Nigerian Blog Awards 2013

Related cases:

Questions & Answers on Oil & Gas Career (ii)

How Do I Break into the Oil & Gas Industry?

Want to become an Investment Banker: CFA or Msc Finance?

Tips on Lecturing Job Interview?

Deficiency in key WASSCE subjects and my CV

Academics or Corporate World?

After my 2.2, I want to start all over again from O’level!

Dundee+ACCA or Birmingham+CIMA?

Should I write FRM exams?

My HND/Bsc/MBA Dilemma

Accounting @ UNIBEN or Finance @ UNILORIN?

Tired of traditional banking; need to re-ignite my entrepreneurial spirit

How helpful is dropping hard copies of my CV in offices?

With my 2:2, how can I break into investment banking industry?

Employment Gap on my CV?