Purpose Driven Achiever: December 2012

Career in Linguistics

Can human society ever be sustained and developed in the absence of language? The answer is an obvious NO. Show me a person that does not use language orally, graphically, or symbolically and I will show you a dead person. But even the dead communicate.
This means language is an inevitable tool in the sustenance of human society in all its ramifications. If language is this important, then the study of it cannot be less in importance and so must be taken seriously.

Linguistics is the scientific study of language. Graduates of linguistics are called linguists. Linguists are familiar with language in their widest sense, because they study the principles common to them all. Their knowledge of language can be summarized under three perspectives: historical, formal and functional.

Historically, linguists know the history, development, changes and factors influencing changes in a language or related languages. Formally, they are armed with linguistics skills of analyzing and defining structural properties (grammars) of human languages. With their knowledge of the grammar of a particular or set of languages, they are in the position to say what is grammatically correct or incorrect in those languages.

Academic Requirements for Studying Linguistics

To study linguistics in any Nigerian university, candidates must possess five credits to include English Language. With a good score in UTME and Post-UTME, candidates will be offered provisional admission. To gain admission through the direct entry, candidates are required to have Two ‘A’ level passes or NCE to include any Language, preferably an African Language. Duration of study in the university is four academic years.

Institutions offering Linguistics Nigeria

Nigerian universities offering this course are: IBADAN, UNN, JOS, MAIDUGURI (with options in Kanuri, French, Fulfulde English, Arabic), ABSU (as linguistics and communication studies), BENIN (as linguistics and African language), ILORIN, UNAD, IBADAN (with Yoruba), CALABAR (as linguistics and communication studies), UYO, LAGOS (with Igbo and Yoruba), EVAN (with Igbo), DELSU, KWASU, ABUAD, BSU, SOKOTO, AAUA, IGBINEDION, ABUJA, UNIOSUN.

Prospects in Linguistics

Linguistics is relevant to the economy of the country, meaning linguists are needed for employment in driving the economy. They work as lecturers in colleges, polytechnics, and universities. They are needed in embassy and they can work as language translators. Besides, linguists work in the media (radio, television and newspaper). In fact the list is inexhaustible.

You too can book a place for yourself in the university to study linguistics and join the league of those who are making their living through the application of the knowledge of the phenomenon called language.

Careers/Courses of Study

Career In History

Career In History (Contribution: Shina Terseer)

Building a career in history is a disturbing thought that most students, parents and guardians very often refuse to allow their minds dwell long on. To many, the mention of history as a course of study induces frown and/or other forms of annoying body expressions. The reason is not far-fetched, to some of them; history is not a visibly lucrative course. The truth however is that very many people know little or nothing about the course. For instance,
history is often declared by laymen and most surprisingly by some in the academics as mere stories that have no bearing on the existing realities in the society. This is not the actual situation if one would choose to be freed from the myopia of historical poverty and be exposed to appreciate the importance and benefits of building a career in history.

History, according to E.H. Carr.” is…..a continuous process of interaction between the historian and his fact, an unending dialogue between the present and the past”.

Embedded in this widely accepted definition are the two aspects of history. The first is history as a study which invariably involves all the writings, recordings or the critical and objective assessment of historical sources, evidences or facts for a scientific and logical reconstruction of man’s activity in nature over time. These activities could be political, economic, social or religious. On the other hand the second part is history as a process which involves all the past activities of man, or the various changes that man has undergone in so many a times in the society.

It is important to understand that these two aspects of history cannot exist in isolation, or do without the other. There is a dialectical relationship between them. Therefore, to narrow it down, history simply means the critical study of the past activities in the various aspects of the societal arrangements be it political, economic, social, or religious in nature over time to understand the present and follow the possible trends for the future. This is only made possible by the availability of evidences, or sources without which any account established will be a mere fabrication.

It can be deduced then that there is much to history than the sound of the world or what most laymen and those outside the discipline float at. The discipline is holistic and arouses a high sense of criticism in individuals as well as equips them with a very wide knowledge on the affairs of the world to enable them cope and work anywhere. History goes beyond the structural aspects of societal organization to ascertain the causal factors of a decline, stagnation, growth, conflicts amongst others that affect human lives.

Prospects and Job Opportunities

Good graduates of history are readily absorbed by a lot of establishments, government ministries, law firms, police force, banks, public relations, social works, media houses and many others. A good number of them are doing absolutely well in the media houses especially in journalism which is a professional course that makes good use of sources to establish events. It is a well-known fact that sources are the backbone of history and the evaluation of these sources should best be left to the historians.

A degree in history furnishes with the ability to think independently, write clearly and analyze critically, making history graduates highly valued by their employers. Their skills in interpretation and communication are priceless and in very high demand everywhere. In addition, historians can go into the academics as lecturers and researchers, while some venture into archive work and museum management.

Qualifying for Admission

To secure admission to study history, prospective students must possess five credits to include History and English Language. The entrance examination is UTME where one is expected to have a good score and pass the Post-UTME screening. To secure direct entry admission, candidates must possess two ‘A’ level passes in History and any other related subjects. It takes a minimum of four academic years to obtain a Bachelors degree in History for UTME entrant and three academic years for direct entrant.

Universities in Nigeria offering History as a course of study

The following Nigerian universities offer history as a course of study: ABU, ABUJA, ANSU, BAI, BAYERO, BENIN, BINGHAM, BSU, GSU, IBADAN, JABU, KASU, LAPI, MAIDUGURI, NASARAWA, OAU, UDU, UMYUK, UNN, WUKARI (as history and development studies), AAUA.

HISTORY AND INTERNATIONAL STUDIES is offered as a course of study is offered in a number of Nigerian universities. To gain admission through UTME, candidates must obtain five credits to include English Language, Geography, and Government/History. For direct entry admission, candidates must possess two ‘A’ level passes or NCE (upper credit) in history, government and any other related subject. Those with diploma in International Affairs/ Strategic Studies or related discipline stand to be considered for direct entry admission as well.

Universities offering HISTORY AND INTERNATIONAL STUDIES include: AAU, AAUA, ABSU, AJAYI, AL-HIKMAH, BABCOCK, CALABAR, DELSU, IMSU, JOS, KSU, LASU, UNAD, UNIOSUN, ABUAD, KWASU, EBSU, UNIZIK, UYO, VERITAS, REDEEMERS, AAU.

PHC and OOU offer HISTORY AND DIPLOMATIC STUDIES, while IBADAN offers HISTORY AND POLITICAL SCIENCE. LAGOS offers HISTORY AND STRATEGIC STUDIES just as NDU offers HISTORY AND DIPLOMACY while ABU and TSUJ offer HISTORY AND ARCHEOLOGY.

In conclusion, students aspiring to study history must above all things be interested in the past. This will enable them to bring a broad range of sympathies and sensitivity to the study of the course, which of course makes it one of the most enjoyable and rewarding course of study.

Career in English Language

Career in English Language (Contribution: Dare Adeyemo)

The prestige and influence of English language in Nigeria and the world at large cannot be over-emphasized. Facts and figures bear eloquent testimonies to this. Besides the fact that English is the official language in Nigeria, it is the richest in vocabulary compared to French and German. Three quarters of the world’s main telex are in English, half of the world’s scientific and technical periodicals are in the language. In addition, eighty percent of the information stored in the computer is in English, and nearly all business details

done in Europe are also in the language. It is the official language of Christianity adopted by the world council of churches. With its many varieties across the world, coupled with the fact that about ten percent of the world’s population uses it, it can be said to be the truly global language.

Going by the above facts, English Language as a course of study in the university is prestigious opening up unlimited opportunities for those who study it.

A graduate of English does not only know the origin, forms and expressions of human speech, but he is familiar with the manner in which thoughts and feelings are expressed either verbally, or by use of signs and symbols. Besides, he knows the rules governing intelligent communication. Courses like grammar of English, phonetics and phonology of English, sociolinguistics, psycholinguistics, stylistics, advanced writing, semantics among others make it possible for him to effectively do these things.

Requirements for Studying English Language

Most Nigerian universities offer English Language as a course of study. To gain admission, candidates must possess five credits to include English Language and Literature in English. Also, candidate must sit for and pass both the UTME and Post-UTME. Admission through the direct entry requires two ‘A’ level passes to include Literature in English and any other art subjects.

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Duration of study is four academic sessions after which one will be awarded Bachelor of Art (B.A) degree or B.A (Ed) if the course was studied asEnglish Education.

Universities offering the course include: AAU, ABU, AJAYI, AL-HIKMAH, ANSU, BAI, BAYERO, BINGHAM, BIU, BSU, CARITAS, GSU, ILORIN, JABU, ABUAD, BABCOCK, KWASU, JOS, KATSINA, LAGOS, LAPAI, MADONNA, MAIDUGURI, NASARAWA, OAU, OOU, REDEEMERS, UDU, UMYUK, UNIOSUN, UNIZIK, UNN, UYO, and NOUN.

Job Opportunities for Graduates of English Language

Graduates of English cannot be jobless. They can work in secondary schools, colleges, polytechnics, universities as teachers and lecturers (as the case may be). They also work in mass media agencies like the radio, television and newspaper. Book publishing firms and telecommunication outfits like MTN, Glo etc. Arts and cultural agencies, ministries of interior and foreign affairs, local government information departments, public relations and advertising firms; employ good graduates of English Language. In fact, anywhere human beings work and communicate, by any means is a potential place of work for graduates of English. Hence it is not uncommon to find graduates of English in banks, insurance companies and oil industries.

Bachelors degree in English is not a professional qualification as it is not an end in itself but a means to many ends. Therefore, it is important for graduates of English to take relevant professional examinations like those organized by Nigerian Institute of Public Relation (NIPR), AdvertisingPractitioners Council of Nigeria (APCON) and other relevant ones to properly fit into some of the job specifications.

Preparation for studying English Language

You too can launch yourself into the world of unlimited opportunities by taking English Language as a course of study in the university. Begin to update yourself with necessary skills required to study the course. Develop good writing skills. Also, you must be ready to read far and wide because a graduate of English should know at least something about almost everything and almost everything about something. See you up there prospering as a graduate of English.

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Career in Chemistry

Career in Chemistry (Contribution: Comfort Effiong) Careers

What do you find around that is not chemistry? Obviously nothing! Hence, chemistry has come to be acclaimed the mother of all the sciences.

The knowledge of chemistry is applied in making virtually everything around us. These include

common things like rubber carpets, inks (for biro, printing), dyes, paints, candles, books, nylon/cellophane bags, clothing materials, drugs, fuels (like petrol, kerosene, diesel), some components of computer, fertilizers, building materials like glass wares, plastic tables and chairs, rulers, tissue papers, chalk, to mention a few. This gives chemistry as a discipline and the chemist himself a very unique position in the economy of any country.

Branches of Chemistry

Chemistry is a very vast discipline and so it has been divided into areas of specializations. While some areas (branches) are academic, others are professional.

The academic branches include physical chemistry, organic chemistry, and inorganic chemistry. While the professional branches include: industrial chemistry, environmental chemistry, and analytical chemistry.

- Physical Chemistry: Has to do with chemical reactions and processes. It studies what happens during chemical reactions, how they happen and why. It is also related to industrial chemistry as it deals with industrial chemical processes.

- Organic Chemistry: This is the chemistry of carbon compounds, most of which are of plant and animal origin. Organic chemistry studies the properties of such compounds, their reactions as well as their synthesis.

- Inorganic Chemistry: This is the branch of chemistry that has to do with the study of other elements in the periodic table aside carbon. It studies their occurrence, characteristics, reactions as well as their synthesis.

- Industrial Chemistry: This is the branch of chemistry which deals with the production of useful items from basic raw materials, mostly chemical raw materials. Industrial chemistry covers the operations of different chemical industries such as the cosmetics industries, soap and detergent industries, paper industries, textile industries, petrochemical industries, polymer industries, etc.

- Environmental Chemistry: This is the branch of chemistry that studies the environment, specially the biological environment with the aim of helping to provide and maintain a safe environment. Its major areas of concern are waste management and pollution control.

- Analytical Chemistry: As the name implies, this is the branch of chemistry that has to do with chemical analysis of substances to determine their chemical constituents. The skills acquired in analytical chemistry are applicable in virtually every other aspects of chemistry.

Who qualifies to study chemistry?

The basic requirement to studying chemistry is having a strong personality which must be characterized by hardwork, resilience, and meticulousness. To meet the admission requirement, a candidate must possess at least five credits to include English Language, Mathematics, Chemistry, Physics, and Biology and must score very good points at the UTME, and the university’s aptitude test conducted by particular university of choice.

Institutions that offer Chemistry as a course of study in Nigeria

Most universities in Nigeria offer chemistry at first degree. They are: AAU, AAUA, ABU, ABUAD, ABUJA, ACHIEVERS, ADSU, AJAYI, AKSU, AL-HIKMAH, BAI, BAYERO, BELLS, BENIN, BINGHAM, BOWEN, BSU, CALABAR, CALEB, CRAWFORD, CRESCENT, DELSU, FOUNTAIN, FUPRE, FUTA, FUTO (with options in industrial chemistry, pure chemistry, mineral processing), GSU, IBADAN, IGBINEDION, ILORIN, JABU (with options in industrial and pure chemistry), JOS, KASU, KSU, KSUST, KUST, LAGOS, LAPAI, LASU, MAIDUGURI, MARKUDI, MKAR, NOVENA, NTNU (with options in petroleum and petrochemical concentration), OAU, OBONG, ODUDUWA, PHC, RSUST, SALEM, TASUED, TSUJ, UMUDIKE, UMYUK, UNAAB, UYO, VERITAS, WESTERN-DEL, WELLSPRING, WUKARI, WUSTO, YOLA, UNAD (as pure chemistry), NDU (as chemistry and applied chemistry), NASARAWA (with options in pure chemistry and industrial chemistry), RHEMA, BIA, USTI, KWASU. ABSU, BENIN, IGBINEDION AND IMSU offer chemistry and industrial chemistry.

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Career Prospects/Job Opportunities in Chemistry

The services of a chemist are needed in almost every facet of the economy, especially in a growing economy like ours. The career prospects available include:

- Teaching: A chemist can teach in secondary schools and also as lecturer in colleges of education, polytechnics and universities.

- Researches: A chemist can serve as researcher in food industries, manufacturing industries, agricultural industries, pharmaceutical industries, etc.

- Laboratory Assistants: Chemists can work as laboratory assistants in schools and universities, in most manufacturing companies and in all chemical industries.

- Consultancy Services: Chemists can be consultants to oil companies, government ministries, chemical industries, etc.

On a general note, job opportunities available to the chemist are not limited to the ones listed above. Chemists can work in the health sector, agricultural sector, extractive industries and any other science related establishment. Apart from all these, depending on his/her personality, a chemist can function in areas outside his/her discipline if given the appropriate training as is the practice of most employers.

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Financial Consideration Versus Making The Right Career Choice

Financial consideration in making a career choice

6 Points to consider before making a career choice

Should money be your motivating factor in choosing a career? Well, different people will answer this question in different ways. You may choose to confirm this by carrying out opinion pool. You will be amazed at the varying types of responses you will get both for and against.

But, I dare say money and job satisfaction are not synonymous.

It is true that money is very important, but it is not and should not be the only factor to consider when choosing a career. There are many lucrative and well-paying jobs out there, but they are not necessarily satisfying or fulfilling.

I am not unaware of the desire for job security, pressures from the society and the need to survive the harsh economic condition, which often make us spend our time pursuing a career we do not truly love; but, I strongly believe being happy doing what we are passionate about is far more important than anything else. Of a truth therein lies the secret of personal fulfillment.

In making a fulfilling career choice, it is good to make as much inquiry as possible about the career and the prospects it has, but much more important to match the prospect with our interest, talent and special ability.

If you choose careers that best suit your talents and ability, you will find your job fast becoming a fun, while money naturally comes as a reward for your expertise. The reverse most times will be the case for those who pick their careers sorely for financial gain. They sure will find no job satisfaction, and it may be difficult if not impossible to acquire expertise in a career you do not truly love.

Having said this however, earnings may among other things be considered before picking up a job. The idea does not in any way suggest and should not be misunderstood to mean that money should not be considered at all. There is a balance between the two extreme.

Image Credit: Daily Finance
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Becoming the purpose driven achiever

Purpose Driven Achiever

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Career in Linguistics

Career in Linguistics

Careers/Courses of Study

Career In History

Career In History (Contribution: Shina Terseer)

Career in English Language

Preparation for studying English Language

Career in Chemistry

Financial Consideration Versus Making The Right Career Choice

Financial consideration in making a career choice

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