5 signs your university really cares about your future career

Dear undergraduates, if someone asks you why you are chasing a degree certificate in your higher institution, your response will most likely be tied to getting a good job.

The dream to get a good and satisfying job obviously tops the list for most undergraduates, but sadly, not all universities are helping their students to prepare for the highly competitive job market.

However, if getting a job after your graduation gives you a cause for concern, here are five reasons to show you that your academic institution is established to support and prepare you for the future.

1. Industrial Training Placement

Having your internship gives your work experience and prepares you for your career. (Andela) Pulse Nigeria

Industrial Training Placement commonly referred to IT or internship among students is a great way to gain work experience before you graduate and a lot of Nigerian Universities and Polytechnic have incorporated this into their curriculum.

As a mater of fact, some institutions make it compulsory for their students to undergo internship, make a report about it and then come back to school after three or six months to explain what they learnt in the course of the internship to their lecturers.

2. Exchange programs

Private universities expensive and they have better facilities for their students. (Buzznigeria) Pulse Nigeria

Exchange program is an academic arrangement in which students of a university are sent to another university to study. In most cases, the students are sent abroad to study at one of their university’s partner institutions.

This program is not so common among Nigerian school, but if you want to know about this arrangement, consult the Dean of Students Affairs, he/she will tell you if your school has such programs or not.

3. Link with employers

Industry experts share success tips with UNILAG undergraduates. (Pulse) ece-auto-gen

Universities are not only established to just churn out graduates year in, year out. A tertiary institution that wants the best for its graduates will also foster strong links between industry experts, employers and their students by inviting them to their school events to deliver presentations and connect the students with them. If your school does this regularly, congratulations! you’re studying in an institution that cares about your future.

4. Campus Workshop and Recruitment Fair

Gr8jobsng & BusinessDay Career Fair (Gr8jobsng) Pulse Nigeria

Does your school regularly organize workshop and career fair to prepare and help you understand what it takes to develop marketable skills and understand job interview techniques? Do Job Boards come to your school to conduct mock job interviews? These are indications that your school management is committed to helping you achieve your career goals.

5. A strong alumni network

Some of the alumni of UNILAG are leaders today. ece-auto-gen

First generation universities like the University of Lagos (UNILAG) and Obafemi Awolowo Univeristy (OAU) have very strong alumni association members that have established themselves as experts, employers and decision makers in different industries. Alumni network like this will help you connect with professionals in your field and even secure yourself a job when you network with them.

Check it out here!