After Your Msc Abroad: Stay Or Go? - Career (2) - Nairaland
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Msc Abroad, Pls Help / Confused: Any MSc options for 2.2 Grads? / Should I Go For Msc Abroad Or Stay With My Job (2) (3) (4)
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| Re: After Your Msc Abroad: Stay Or Go? by chyk91(m): 9:47pm On Dec 21, 2008 |
nice topic |
| Re: After Your Msc Abroad: Stay Or Go? by kokorunna(m): 4:00pm On Dec 22, 2008 |
@Zion I will say contact some Oil Companies in Nigeria first by visiting their websites or goto some African Job Fairs they do in London for all kinds of in Africa.  |
| Re: After Your Msc Abroad: Stay Or Go? by Isiokpukpo: 10:17pm On Dec 22, 2008 |
what an inspiring tread we've got here  |
| Re: After Your Msc Abroad: Stay Or Go? by ancient1: 12:15am On Dec 23, 2008 |
ow11: Gba!!! |
| Re: After Your Msc Abroad: Stay Or Go? by aieromon(m): 7:10pm On Jan 01, 2009 |
i think everything depends on the career path. Some professional courses sell well outside the country and it will be hard not to explore the option of remaining after completion of the MSc. |
| Re: After Your Msc Abroad: Stay Or Go? by Aderoy(m): 11:21am On Jan 02, 2009 |
This is a post that applies to me but I must say I'm a bit different because I came to this country in 1999.I have had my fair share of the whole stress faced with being a foreigner in the UK but I must confess that it's all paid off after having my degree from Leeds and my masters from the same university both in engineering. Hi Ikeymann0O, Bros I hail oo, Nice yarn. I feel you. Bros please contact me as I need to discuss with you. My contact: (075 309 300 27) aderoy01@yahoo.co.UK In my case I graduated with MSc in Mobile/High Speed Telecommunication Engineering from Oxford Brookes Uni. and actually got job 5 months before I graduated. Although the job I got wasn't of prime choice (ITS Engineering - application of Telecommunication/Signalling in Transportation/Highway/Road Engineering), I had to accept the offer pending the outcome of other interviews with Major Telecoms companies. At the end of the day when those major companies turned me down I had to take the offer with this small company and have been with them since Sept 2007. Infact I emerged as the Employee of the year (2008). I should say I am the first foreign graduate, the first black and the first Nigerian employed by this company. I have been able to bring 2 other Nigerians (1 of them a graduate from my university and another a graduate from Sunderland) into the company within 7 months of joining the company. I was able to put the compnay through on how to get work permit for foreigners and they (my employer) have now registered with the Home Office to bring in foreign workers for future needs. Now we have a total of 5 foreign graduates (3 Nigerians, one Sudanese and a Chinese, who have all gotten the work permit). Going by my experience in Naija after my NYSC without getting a job (except as a stand-in "Secretary" for a lady on sick leave) for about 3months. Imagine someone with BSc in Physics (as the best graduating student doing a job as "typist" - na experience sha). I guess one of my problem was the fact that I didn't lie on my CV then in the fear that they might do background check. I will advise anyone to do whatever they can to gain experience abroad even if it is just for 3 months before going to Naija. |
| Re: After Your Msc Abroad: Stay Or Go? by royalboy(m): 2:13pm On Jan 02, 2009 |
As a matter of fact, in the past the world's greatest employers were biased in recruiting; laying so much emphasis on credentials rather than experience and performance. Acquiring a degree abroad may be the peak of a person's career, the downside is lack of experience in your core career progression. You definitely will be a good hire if you can commensurate your certificates with a minimum of 2 years work experience and proper knowledge of job aptitude tests. Your past and present work experience are significantly responsible in a job recruitment for a singular reason of some companies not having any or enough budgets on staff trainings, learning and development. A company running a tight budget may not even entertain the spectacle of a foreign degree holder with no work experience. Etisalat was fast in making some juicy offers to industry based employees, which attracted some of the best brains in Glo, MTNN and other multinational companies; Staff training budget was diverted to salary budget. This is my breakdown; a logical career progression + work experience abroad=good job in Nigeria.(Higher level staff) a logical career path - work experience abroad=a job in Nigeria. (Entry level staff). Employers should be able to distinguish academic excellence and job skills between a foreign degree holder and a national degree holder. |
| Re: After Your Msc Abroad: Stay Or Go? by saddik(m): 7:08pm On Jan 02, 2009 |
tHIS THREAD IS INTRESTING, TNX TO INPUT FROM PPLs WITH EXPERIENCE. IM IN D SAME SITUATION, ALTHOUGH IM FINISHIN MY MSC BUSINESS IT BY SEP 2009, I HAVE 3YRS WORK XPERIENCE IN NIGERIA B4 I GOT 2 D UK. MY PLANS WERE TO GET D POST STUDY VISA, THEN GO BAK 2 NIJA, BUT I PLANNED TO WORK DURING MY STUDIES, BUT IT SEEMS SO HARD 2 GET A JOB HERE IN LONDON. IM STILL TRYING JUST 2 GET D EXTRA EXPERIENCE TO ADD TO MY PROFILE. NA ONLY GOD SABI HOW NIJA GO B DIS YEAR, |
| Re: After Your Msc Abroad: Stay Or Go? by Ndipe(m): 7:37pm On Jan 02, 2009 |
Interesting topic. A lot of people always think that living abroad is the ultimate in life. That is not true. I think that with the economic meltdown, some folks, I know of at least a few who have moved back home. America is not going to be a dominant economic power forever, and it's best to tap into Nigeria's resources before it's too late. Now, if you get a job working as a customer service agent, after your MSC, and you are still on the job for two, three or four years, you gotta question the point in going to school in the first place. I know it's tough in Nigeria, but if an opportunity opens up, ol'boy, I go take am. |
| Re: After Your Msc Abroad: Stay Or Go? by sleemgal(f): 9:42pm On Jan 02, 2009 |
i must confess, dis issue is based on discretion and most importantly, the holy spirit guidance because wt mite work 4 u mite nt for some1 ellse as we ve all gt diff destiny. however, in d literary sense as pple tend to say, gettin dat graduate job with wud give u relevant experience hwever small pay coupled wif d living expenses, transportation n enticing things to buy is hard, but i dnt believe in all d recession thingy cuz it doesnt apply to, if d job is mine i get it nt cuz of credit crunch or wtever. my advise to all is seek Gods face, my sister graduated from a reputable uni in naij bout 4 years ago n immediately left 4 her masters, after she finished, she spent 2years managin odd jobs n acca, she cudnt concentrate much on her acca cuz she had to mix it wif work n thus didnt do well, 3gud years in dat uk n d only tangible thing was d masters dgree, i learnt frm her as i did my nysc n luckily served in a bank which retained me afterwards but i wanted to leave 4 ma masters immediately after my nysc but God shut me dwn n dey denied me visa, luckily i didnt resign hence had bout 5mths experence n left jan for my masters, m in wales nw still doin it n ve bin applyin 4 graduate scheme n even attended several workshop but omo no avail cuz m like i dnt wana wait after masters n start lukin 4 work, dey either turn me dwn based on in country experence, work permit or silly reasons. it cud b disheartenin u knw, but its a new year n m nw widenin my coast by also applyin in naij as well cuz i totally turned dat option out but nw i guez i ve to reopen it, u never can tell hence, i ve decided nt to limit myself esp lukin at my sist case, in as much as she didnt do her nysc b4 she left she had to do it n pretty got a gud acctin firm on d island n is serving there n she is earnin pretty gud for nysc over thriple wt ethy were payin me sef in my nysc in d bank, afterwards, she has gt couple of offers in int acountn firms in naij and even d one she is servin nw is willin to retian her. thank God for her age, d years she stayed back in d uk doin nufin didnt really count against he so she gets to start her career in naij on a pretty gud way, my advise to all is, in as much as you really desitrre to gain your international experience dnt give up however dont limit ur self, seek God's guidance so u dnt miss ur steps n u r sure to go d right way n most importantly dnt follow pples steps pls, we all ve diff lifes to live n mission to afccomplish hence because it worked for A doesnt mean its right for B. THANKS POSTER, N HAPPY ON YOUR OKAY JOB ATLEAST ITS BETTER DAN NUTIN OR WAITRESS. CHEERS ALL |
| Re: After Your Msc Abroad: Stay Or Go? by BOSS7: 2:02pm On Jan 06, 2009 |
@ Sleemgal You seem to be discouraged about the UK but believe you me I've been here and done that and I'm still here (in the UK). I understand how you feel about your sister's situation on how tough it was for her in securing a job but come to think of it, there were 11 Nigerians in my department last year when I was doing my MSc and is it a more co-incidence that 9 of us secured jobs while we were still in the middle of our programs? Of course not. Fair enough you have your belief but trust me the jobs are there and despite the downturn this year, companies have said they'll not relent in hiring graduates (why?) because they'll see the lack of them in future if they fail to bridge the gap now so keep up the pressure and believe you me you'll get there. However I'm not sure why you went to Wales because there's nothing down there but your willingness to relocate would encourage these companies and whether you have experience or not, these companies are now recruiting students with MSc degrees at an alarming rate because majority of graduates now have the basic undergraduate degrees and so you'll differ with your MSc and you're worth being hired. Good luck. |
| Re: After Your Msc Abroad: Stay Or Go? by Aisabokhai(m): 4:19am On Jan 08, 2009 |
Hi people, I have read what majority of people have said and i seem to think everyone is making sense; i was particularly impressed with the comment about seeking God for direction which i believe is key to making any decision. To add to this, i would say one should love for a job at home and also back in the UK or US simultanuously until something props up. In the event that nothing comes up after 6 months, i would advice whoever the person is to try going back home as the only other thing anyone can do is to probably do some hustling and then go home to start some form of investment while u are in Niger. As i dey follow una talk so, i had like two years experience in Nigeria before i came for my MBA and some months into my stay in the UK i.e from 2006, i got a job in a call centre where i have been doing about 40 hours job a week at the minimum. THis allowed me to pay for my MBA which cost about £9600. While studying, i was able to set up a cyber cafe in Nigeria that sits about 10 customers and i am working on expanding it to 20 to 30 customers in 3-4 months. While doing this also, i have been able to forge a committee of friends in London and in the US for us to start an oil and gas firm by using haulaging of petroleum products as an entry piont with hopes of expanding this to a fleet of 10 tankers from where we can proceed to marketing and other opportunities in the downstream and upstream sectors of our economy back home. So you see, we need to see beyond a pay cheque. for me, i am working to raise more money to achieve other entrepreneurial ideas that comes my way and so getting a job for me in just to keep myself acquainted with the corporate world for contacts sake; although my formal boss wants me to come to lagos to take a minimum of 160k a month but i earn more than that at the moment but might consider it when my haulaging plans go through with the proposed partnership i am forging. So my people, please do not limit your ability to come out with ideas and solutions that can help out fellow Nigerians. We are only milking out of the scarce opportunities while we should be creating more opportunities as a result of our priviledge of going to the diaspora to study. If for nothing, if na security job you dey do sef, save some money and come up with nice business ideas that make sense in Niger, get your post study visa and then travel home once or twice a year to have the busines planted and then go before your pali expire in the absense of you getting the job of your dream. These are my own thoughts o!!! but in all things, lets just see GOD for guidance all the same, Tunde Aisabokhai |
| Re: After Your Msc Abroad: Stay Or Go? by Obalende: 1:22am On Jan 09, 2009 |
posts are making a lot of sense. the key thing is knowing what you really want which is hard to arrive at for many people. my approach is to look for jobs in different places at the same time whilst praying. I am looking for jobs riht now in UK (fixed term contract only due to higher rates), Australia (fixed term contracts), Nigeria (permanent) and Canada (permanent). I don't know which will work, this is where prayer comes in. With "diversification", you beat the crunch! |
| Re: After Your Msc Abroad: Stay Or Go? by SUKKIE(m): 11:14pm On Jan 26, 2009 |
Different blocks of arguments have been raised n kudos to every1. Im equally swimming in this murky waters.I completed my msc last year sept and ve been searching for a graduate job ever since. Though I got a call-centre job, yet men its pointless to pay a fortune for such a programme n all one is able to get is c-centre job.Hence, if things dont change in d next 6 months,men i dey cut -out go nja.Perhaps, I might give Canada a shot. Believe me sincerely,its a make or mar decision to chill here cos nja viable companies are equally willing to pay well for d right personnel. God dey!!!!!!!!!! |
| Re: After Your Msc Abroad: Stay Or Go? by ancient1: 12:18am On Jan 27, 2009 |
e be like say na call centre job boys dey take hold body for here, i do the same. But well said sukkie, its madness to sit on that kind of job after paying so much for a masters, when you can get somthing better in naija, ive got mates who have been on the call centre job up to 2 years after graduating. Lets just keep trying and stick to our timeframe. Ive gone for some interviews with some companies now that that believe me i diddnt quite beleive they would call me. Lets hope for the best, but still credit crunch or no credit crunch, men dey get job ooo. @ the end of the day its not a bad idea to get some experience here, but then no time, |
| Re: After Your Msc Abroad: Stay Or Go? by kellyhand1: 12:40am On Jan 27, 2009 |
Hello guys This is the first time I'm reading thru every post on NL. All of you have really made sense. I am currently in a worse situation than this.I finished my MSc from a very reputable Institution and a very lucrative course in the UK.I belong to the class of people that proceeded for MSc immediately after NYSC without any experience.In the course of my MSc studies, I applied to quite a number of Foreign companies even outside the UK. I got through to the interviews stage and even assessment centre for a few of them. The very first oil company I almost clinched turned me down because they had to consider the scottish guy who was equally as good. The second oil company turned me down because of my lack of experience even though I got to the final stage (I wondered why they got me through in the first place). The first 2 above were during my MSc. After my MSc, I got 2 more interviews with another two top multinational oil company, the first the NOC in Malaysia and the second Danish Oil company. The two also turned me down on the grounds of NO experience. Even though they all agreed that I am academically very sound, the other non-academic factors were still very much force. After my MSc, I applied for the post study visa which they refused to give me based on no grounds as far as I'm concerned. As I write, I'm in naija still searching for job since my visa expired immediately I got their heart-breaking reply about the visa refusal. I had to take off from that country immediately unorganized since I didn't want to bar myself forever from entering the UK again. Things appear really rough for me right about now but I know ALL THINGS WORK TOGETHER FOR GOOD TO THEM THAT LOVE GOD. I know God is not silent to my situation but rather, He is ordering my steps, I have made up my mind to do the best I can do whether it is writing tests with the 40000 graduates or otherwise. ALL I KNOW IS THAT I WILL SHARE MY TESTIMONY SOON. God may rest as He did on the seventh day of creation BUT He never sleeps. Cheers guy. |
| Re: After Your Msc Abroad: Stay Or Go? by kellyhand1: 12:42am On Jan 27, 2009 |
God dey |
| Re: After Your Msc Abroad: Stay Or Go? by ancient1: 8:23pm On Jan 28, 2009 |
kelly_hand: God sees your situation, he is with u |
| Re: After Your Msc Abroad: Stay Or Go? by cvibe: 8:26pm On Jan 28, 2009 |
Kellyhand Don't Give up, keep trying. |
| Re: After Your Msc Abroad: Stay Or Go? by ancient1: 8:36pm On Jan 28, 2009 |
more news of job cuts/ job losses in the uk economy, the recession is hitting badly, egba wa o!!!!! |
| Re: After Your Msc Abroad: Stay Or Go? by Nobody: 11:14am On Feb 07, 2009 |
more news of job cuts/ job losses in the uk economy, the recession is hitting badly, egba wa o!!!!! lol hmmm, Interesting Topic! God dey! |
| Re: After Your Msc Abroad: Stay Or Go? by Nobody: 10:48am On Feb 11, 2009 |
I love this thread as it just clarifys some issues bothering my mind. First and foremost, I must say experience is so important and goes a long way. As for me I have 2 years experience working in the engineering design sector as a Project Management personnel in Nigeria. I have just a naija degree but I have learnt a lot and I am leaving for the Uk in a few weeks, sounds silly rite?? considering the credit crunch stuff and othe r things. Well not to me because from Nigeria I have applied for several jobs ( using Uk address) and I get replies from almost all the recruiters for the same role I work as in Nigeria, asking me for more information and to come for Interview. The only thing that spoils it is whn I say I am not in the UK at the moment. The good thing about mine is that I have a British passport, but I have never lived in the UK, I just visit. I need a change of enviroment, so I am moving to the UK in a few weeks. I intend to start work (live on their allowances and my savings ) first and gain 'UK experience", do a masters degree programme, Project management courses and certifications and then come back to Nigeria as an expatriate,(the engineering design industry uses a lot of expatriates) by God's grace. My mind is made up and I am ready to face anything to achieve this , nothing would stop me, not even credit crunch, skin colour or whatever. With God all things are Possible. |
| Re: After Your Msc Abroad: Stay Or Go? by gongoaso1: 11:41am On Feb 11, 2009 |
hi evry1 nice thread so far, deserving of the home page. but i noticed almost every reply tended to focus on the UK and europe in general. how about the US, studying for masters and job prospects after in the US. ur commments are needed cos ill be completing nysc in july and am about securing scholarship (engr) to an ivy league sch for sept admissions. i need info on job prospects after completion. peace!!! |
| Re: After Your Msc Abroad: Stay Or Go? by soulamanne(m): 2:39pm On Feb 11, 2009 |
this post is very great.am in naija and stii servin.i plan like my most of my friends to go do my masters out and work and come back home.ifo ve got here comes handy. |
| Re: After Your Msc Abroad: Stay Or Go? by Ndipe(m): 10:28pm On Feb 11, 2009 |
It's amazing that in this day and age when the west are reeling from recession and laying off people, there are some folks in Naija, who are willing to gamble "their allowances and my savings" to come abroad. Best wishes folks. |
| Re: After Your Msc Abroad: Stay Or Go? by Nobody: 10:20am On Feb 12, 2009 |
Ndipe: @ Ndipe, First and foremost, be specific. Secondly different strokes for different folks, reccession or not, people are getting jobs and besides I can return when I feel like. I like the way used the word gamble, it's a risk and life is a risk, no one knows the outcome yet, but one can only wish for the best. Thanks for the best wishes though, I need loads of it now. |
| Re: After Your Msc Abroad: Stay Or Go? by ekpakpo: 9:09pm On Feb 15, 2009 |
, |
| Re: After Your Msc Abroad: Stay Or Go? by DisGuy: 12:50am On Feb 16, 2009 |
ekpakpo: you want to quit the program or you will be going for your master when you finish? Whatever you do I think you should finish your programme its good experience How long have you got left? What ever you do plan very well |
| Re: After Your Msc Abroad: Stay Or Go? by debosky(m): 1:20am On Feb 16, 2009 |
Haven't been on this thread recently, the stories here are touching. Many are in the situation of not getting jobs and thinking whether to remain in the foreign country on a low paying/unrelated job or return home to join the masses applying for jobs. Either choice is not easy, especially after spending so much on an MSc. I believe like someone mentioned, that you should seek divine guidance. God does indeed have unique plans for each and every person. It is TOUGH getting jobs in the UK market. You end up doing many interviews and assessments before securing a job (if you do that is). That is simply the reality of the matter - you should prepare your mind for that. @ ayosometin I appreciate your boldness - you need it in this challenging move of leaving to the UK. You do have an advantage in the British Passport you have. It will make things generally easier for you - especially since you will not have visa restraints pushing you to do something drastic. I wish you well in your endeavour. Don't place your hopes too much in recruiters though, things can change rapidly in the interview process. Still, I'm glad you have a clear plan - many people don't. Make sure you have ample savings to tie you over for a reasonable period and please don't come hoping to depend on people, their own situations could be very fluid financially. My personal opinion is that, if you have a good job in naija at the moment, do not leave to come to the UK at the moment to start with a Master's degree and likely join the market at entry level. Some recruiters have cut down positions being accepted for, and many more are expected to reduce. Please judge wisely before moving. This does show one thing - leaving and getting a masters is not the ultimate solution, as many of us are finding out the hard way. @ ekpakpo If I were you, I'd wait for a year at least to see the exact direction of this economic contraction. Graduate trainees are usually 'protected' from job losses while in the training program, so I would remain there and build up experience. Don't be in too much of a hurry - things are highly unstable at the moment and no one really knows how bad things will get or how soon they will start to improve. kelly_hand Don't lose hope. Things work out for those who trust in God. Keep the faith and expand your horizons as much as possible. If it means going to naija, don't make the mistake of waiting behind. You've already learnt from your sister's experience. |
| Re: After Your Msc Abroad: Stay Or Go? by Nobody: 8:52am On Feb 16, 2009 |
@ Debosky, I really appreciate your advice, asides my husband you are the next person that has given me the strenght to go on. It might be difficult initially, but I am ready to face it and with God all things are possible. I found out that in 9ja, if you don't have any certificate from abroad, u are treated like nobody, in my work place, a girl came with Uk certificate and she got promoted in 2 weeks to a manager post, let me get something from there since I have the opportuinity to.lol I have no plans to depend on anyone, I am moving with enough to take care of myself and also apply for the job seekers allowance alongside. God Bless you my brother |
| Re: After Your Msc Abroad: Stay Or Go? by tkb417(m): 9:04am On Feb 16, 2009 |
It's amazing that in this day and age when the west are reeling from recession and laying off people, there are some folks in Naija, who are willing to gamble "their allowances and my savings" to come abroad. dont mind dem. some are sending mails daily asking for money to be sent to dem abroad. i know of someone in accenture technologies who just got fired cos of the issues in the UK, now hes gonna earn 25m in one of the local banks in 9ja people should shine dem eyes. abroad? me i don see every, nobody fit tell me what is not. I really appreciate your advice, asides my husband you are the next person that has given me the strenght to go on.  which kain organisation be dat?abeg change where u work o to where they measure what you can do as opposed to what certificates you have. u berra ask quality questions b4 u go go waste 5 million on nothing. If you need the certificate, fine if its cos u just wanna go obodo oyinbo, u don waste the money o |
| Re: After Your Msc Abroad: Stay Or Go? by Nobody: 10:10am On Feb 16, 2009 |
@tkb417, Sir, You are entitled to your opinions !!! I am not going for cetificate sake only, read all my posts well. It would be an added advantage to get a certificate before i come back to 9ja, I am going to work first and I must get a job, na by force, Forget the certificates for now sef, no be money I go use pay for them. As par my organisation, you are right, its not structured and I have tried to get a new job, but not easy becos of the influx of people with foreign certificates, since I have the right to work and live in the Uk, Y not try?? sometimes u have to leave ur comfort zone to achieve. I wonder why I am explaining sef, my mind is made up. I would come back to this thread to update u as events unfold in my life in the UK. |
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