Who are we to say only the first class students gets the better jobs out there...
You can guess from this particular topic what this article will be about, what this means is that for who is not familiar with the way Nigeria Honours degree classification system thing works, it basically your average score as a percentage collated over a fixed period and this might be over four or five years of study.
For example an average was calculated between the first year of study to the final year, the cumulative of all the varying year is enormously combined which you can have the bulk weight on any year.
The way it is handled is for a first class honour which is the highest kind of formally recognized category is from a CGPA of 4.50 to 5.00, and for a 2.1 or an upper second-class honours is from a CGPA of 3.50 to 4.49 and then for 2.2 or lower second-class honours is from a CGPA of 2.40 to 3.49 and it goes right below for a third class.
Do I think personally that having a first class degree will have any substantial impact on my life?
From what I've heard and what my honest opinion is, is that it's much better to hold a 2.1 or a mid strong 2.1 and have a decent work experience than a first and no experience well in this country that's how we see it most times.
Its much more valuable to get a decent experience, although having a first class degree gives one a better edge but it's not that easy even with the high degree standard. I do realise it's an area of contention as well because a lot of people will say having a first over any class makes no difference, a lot of people will equally say having a first class does make a lot of difference but I'm not convinced, particularly for me as far as am concerned having a 2.1 instead of maybe a 2.2 probably makes a little difference just in terms of hiring statistics but the difference between a first class and a 2.1 particularly when competitors have a range of life skills the difference could be negligible.
If you'd made a choice really between studying all the time, and not going out to get any skills be it work experiences or a lab experience or even a voluntary work at that point its probably not worth it.
I am still interested in meeting a few graduates and maybe graduate employers to find out what they have to say about that, and an investigation which i will carry out at some point.
First class or nothing else matters "should it be so?"
You've got to realize that whatever you have can pave ways for you, and that success is very open to whomever is willing to pay the price and take advantage of opportunities when they present themselves.
However if we are also being realistic the job market in Nigeria is very competitive today and very skill intensive.
A lot of companies have changed the concept that even been a graduate is no longer a pre-requisite to getting employed as long as you've got skills and got something to bring to the table you get the job, they are willing to offer you employment.
But in some other way a lot of others still care so much about the paper or what qualifications you have or dont have rather than what skills you have.
You find yourself in such an environment, and my advice is: even right before you are about to graduate check your potfolio's and pick fast from every opportunity out there.
Build yourself in a way that even a lower class dont even care anymore to you. People would just know you went to school and you became good and became the best in that area coz when you become too good at what you do nobody actually takes your degree to heart.
Extraordinary Benefits of having a First class
Having a degree is a great achievement yet alone having a first class and there are no superiors to first class, you have the highest grade ever. It cant be gotten by accident, it takes a lot of hard work and dedication. Some Benefits while on campus is that you get endowments and merits,
right here in the University of Lagos a sum of money is usually given for every session to a first class student, if you can maintain that all through two semesters.
Then on the outside world there are jobs out there waiting for you, places that would want to use your influence and creativity, and you see yourself tapping into those places, that dosent mean there wont be trying times.
For me i have no winner but please in all;
Be bold, be courageous, and be your best.“If a door of opportunity is weak build a solid door. Know this Failure is the seasoning or magic that gives success its savour. In order words We know what we are now but know not what we may be or achieve.
I will like to hear from my viewers your opinion am still in 300level incase you're thinking am already a first class candidate, please think again, I hope this would also encourage somebody.
Happy convocation ceremony to everyone graduating from Unilag this week and stay blessed.
Thank you for reading.
For every upvotes, support and comments I really do appreaciate thanks a lot.
Congratulations on the article