WITH MY POOR SALARY HOW DO I FUND MY MBA IN UNILAG?
Good afternoon Mr Jarus. I am one of your followers on twitter and am sure when my question gets to you, I’ll be adequately informed.
I am a graduate of The University of Lagos and I hold a degree in Business Administration (2.1). I recently got a job as a customer service personnel / Call centre agent and my pay is a bit meager compared to the plans I have as regards advancing my career. I earn N40,000 to be precise.
Sir, can you please advise me on how to go about doing my MBA? I made my research and I realize the cost of doing a masters in UNILAG is very high (over N200, 000). Please I need your counsel sir.
Thank you.
Kunle
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Dear Kunle,
I passed your dilemma to our investment columnist, Emmanuel Ewumi, because I felt it’s more of personal finance/financial planning question.
(Over 20 years investing experience in Nigeria’s financial markets)
His response:
What type of career plans do you have for yourself? How do you want to achieve your career plans?
Which sector or sectors of the economy will you like to work? What type of family background do you have?Your answers to these questions may assist one in giving you the necessary guidance.
But I must congratulate you for coming out with a (2.1) from UNILAG and for being humble by accepting the low paying job, you never can tell the exposure, discipline and work ethics that can be gotten from
the job.But I will advice you to have a bigger and ambition and look at the big picture, by going for further academic and professional qualifications.
Money will definitely be an issue if you want to further your studies considering your current pay, but if you have the support from the home front i.e. family background you should be able to weather the
storm.You should also send your CVs to as many organizations as possible. Network with some of your lecturers, because 90% of my colleagues who graduated with first class and 2.1 from Faculties of Science and Engineering at UNILAG were able to get scholarship for further studies in Europe, Canada and United States courtesy of their Alumni and Lecturers network.
If you can not afford the cost of MBA degree at UNILAG, you can opt for professional qualifications. I see relevant professional qualifications as cheaper alternatives. You should plan your finances, live below your means, create other sources of legitimate income for yourself and maybe get a better job. With these you should be able to develop yourself and get more qualifications that will enhance your marketability in the labour market.
I wish you all best.
I wish you all the best too.
Jarus
