University education gave me the necessary exposure, but what is putting food on my table today is my skill.
My skill has little or nothing to do with the University degrees I have yet I was employed with my skill but promoted and graded based on my degrees. You can actually be employed with your skill but to grow in the organization, you will definitely need a University degree.
You can actually make a lot of money through your skill but it will be difficult for you to become a manager without a University degree. Even if you open your own business though depending on size and scope of the business, University education will be an omnipotent ingredients for you later in life.
Skill acquisition can put food on your table but there are heights you cannot get to without a University education. There are people you cannot freely meet and associate with if you don't have a University education.
That's why people who have succeeded in their businesses and skill will always go back to school to get a a degree. That's why wise politicians who got into a Political office will always go back to school.
Something happened in Schlumberger years ago. The Managing Director of the Company visited Nigeria and ordered every technician and contract staff of the company including drivers, cleaners and clerical officers who were graduates to submit their degrees for conversion to permanent staff.
Within one month, those who submitted their degrees got converted. They got the job as skilled technicians but went back to school in anticipation that an opportunity might come. You see people who are thinking.
I heard someone tore his degree certificate after 13 years of looking for a job. People who don't know the value of University education are applauding him.
If I didn't go to school, I wouldn't have been what and where I am today. Its not by magic or miracle. Let nobody deceive you, every progress in life started with a process.
The fact is, there are no white collar jobs. The few ones are highly competitive. That's why people are going extra mile to improve themselves with new skills, expertise and capacities.
Also, there are courses that have little prospects and opportunities. You can't make use of such degrees in a competitive environment unless you have Abraham as a father. It's not peculiar to the Nigeria system alone. It's a global phenomenon.
Listen, the world is evolving and changing every day thereby rendering a lot courses obsolete and antiquated. Thousands of people have the same the degree you have. What will distinguish you amongst others is the extra condiments you add to the degree.
Science and technology has pushed the world into a knowledge-based economy where individuals and organizations are looking for solutions to their current and potential challenges. What you bring to table is more important than anything.
Every day is an opportunity for us to improve ourselves. Dont wait until you are caught off guard and put under the doldrums of life. Think about what you can be doing to sustain yourself while waiting for the bigger opportunity. If you are still waiting for paid jobs as a graduate, you might wait till thy kingdom come. Nigeria is a huge market.
Think! Think! Think!
Marshall Israel from Rivers State.
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