How To Start An International Career In Academia Or Related Fields

This MUST READ post is strictly about charting a career in academia/research that is not bound by geographical limitations. For those in other disciplines, you might have or two things to take away from this, so please don't stop reading.









I am passionate about Nigerian youths, and I think Stella's blog get dem plenty. My ultimate goal is to make a difference to an audience, even if it's just an audience of just one.
To get started, I have to dispel certain myths:


1) FINAL GRADES AT UNDERGRAD DO NOT MATTER

I can't overemphasise this: your performance in your undergrad can be a deal breaker for you in achieving you dream academic career. I know some people say it's not important etc etc.

In Nigeria, where anything goes, this might work but, we are trying to achieve something internationally isn't it? So this is very important.
Disclaimer: if you know that you want to end up in entrepreneurship, entertainment, sports etc this might not be relevant. As I said earlier, my post is for those interested in academics and related fields like consultancy etc. Also it might not matter if you're part of the 1% academic elites with resounding start up ideas and concepts e.g the Gates and the Zuckerbergs. But, sometimes even if you're that , to break out first , you need a leveller (something to be considered with at entry level, thus your undergrad degree might come to play).

Now, performing average e.g 2:1 like I did, might not impact your chances a lot, especially if you make up for it in other areas. Performing below e.g an equivalent of a 3.5/5 might hurt your chances, except of course, if you can make up for it with an exceptional Msc/MPhil/ PGD program as the case may require. You can also make up for it with a lot of research experience(s) and or excellent work experience(s) as your case may require.

Now that being said: Undergrad degree is just a plus. Many people are just book smart. The way courses are structured in Nigerian schools encourage that as well the "cram and regurgitate" lifestyle. The reality is you need to work smart in real life, you need to be bold in getting what you want, and resilient. You also need to "up" your reading and writing skills. That's why many first class students don't go far, they are not smart really in the sense of it. Life is not "cram and pour" like in college. Grad school, PhD, succeeding in academia, consulting for organisations does not use "cram and pour" skills in any way, shape or form. Any bright student who wants to go far must know what he/she is doing, and not just relax thinking he/she has arrived with the so called first class or 2:1 degree. Undergraduate degree is not a sole predictor of success, and evaluating committees know this, that's why they always consider applications holistically.




IVY LEAGUE STUDENTS ARE BETTER THAT YOU

If you can go through Nigeria's educational institution: with its rigours, stress, and hardship, believe me you can succeed anywhere, if you know what you're doing.

Students from Harvard, UToronto , Yale etc are not different from you! Believe me, I have interacted with them and hold my own fine. You are not inferior because of your skin colour. I have consistently been in the top 3% with all courses I've taken so far, which includes oral presentations and labs.
My point is -Your dreams are valid, you can be anything regardless of your background. Don't give up!






THE SCHOOL YOU FINISH FROM MATTERS A LOT

I'm sorry to burst your bubble - especially for the typical first generation Nigerian university students with chips on the shoulders. Let me tell you the truth: In the international context, this doesn't really matter. I finished from Obafemi Awolowo University, so it's not because of where I finished from. All the "great Ife" hails and all that.... actually ends at the gate when you collect that certificate. After that , you will be welcomed to the real world where reality starts. 

On the international scale, most times the adcoms (admission-committees) or grant boards might never have heard of your university before. Remember that the best university in Nigeria might be on a 500ish position on the world ranking scale, so go figure....

That's why I emphasise so much on doing well in undergrad regardless of where you finish from. Great scores will count well for you. Other levellers are GREs and GMAT exams as well as the English proficiency exam.
I will write more about that in the next post. Nothing goes for nothing, the more funding you want, the more you should be ready to work hard to make a stellar application.

In my case, I prepared hard for the GRE (with an infant), so you have no excuse. I was actually unemployed when preparing, and sacrificed my hair money for the exams. I took my time, took it once and maxed out in both the GRE and TOEFL (in the 80th percentile).
It's better to prepare hard and take it once than take multiple times.





YOUR RELATIONSHIP WITH YOUR SUPERVISOR OR PROFESSORS DOES NOT MATTER

I will just touch a little on this, your relationship/character matter because your references will matter when trying to get into grad school, getting a fully funded PhD or MSC spot or research grant e.t.c

Try to have a good relationship with your supervisors, lecturers and Profs. One of the ways this can be done is working hard at whatever your hand finds to do. Don't try to cut corners, do your best. Also always be polite. Don't ever let your relationships with your supervisors go sour. He/she is an extremely important part of your career. In case of conflict, be tactful. Wisdom is profitable to apply says the Bible. Academia can sometimes be like a cult, referral and strong recommendations can often times be everything. This is the hard reality. It's like that almost everywhere. Remember whatever you're going through either in grad school or college is for a while, hold on and hold out.

 I know some Professors can be crazy, but you have everything to lose if you lash back at a crazy boss.
Be tactful, and smart cos it is what is is!

THOUGHTS ARE VERY POWERFUL

You have to start thinking the right thoughts. Get your thoughts together and get it right! I see so many comments on SDKs blog and I shake my head because many people complain and say the opposite of what they want in their lives.

The Bible says "as a man thinketh so is he". My God!! people are so oblivious to how much the thoughts can chart their destinies. Even science proves it that once you think something over and again it moves from your consciousness to your semi consciousness, once it enters your inner consciousness, you are done for. You will begin to act out your thoughts: In short your thoughts will be your reality. Everything that I have thought, wanted, and written down in specific details- down to the country where I want to do my PhD, is coming to pass exactly as I wanted it! Start thinking the right thoughts. I can write a whole book on this





LIFE IS A NEGOTIATION

You get what you negotiate for in life. If you think you're not even qualified - then you fail before even starting (it's called failure by default).
So I got my certificates and all together and walked into the office of the HOD of department of my preferred discipline (I won't mention the name to keep my anonymity). Fortunately, he was on seat. I walked in, and told him my name, and that I wanted to know if there was a recruitment coming up (This is because it's a federal university, and any recruitment has to be endorsed from Abuja).

He looked at me, and asked "who are you?" It actually sounded as "who the hell are you?" That was an opportunity to sell myself and boy, did I!
I told him all about myself, my internships home and abroad, showed him my transcripts, I particularly emphasised on the skills I gained abroad , and my deep knowledge of spectroscopic equipment and analyses.

Needless to say , 9 months later when the recruitment came up, he wrote a strong letter of recommendation for me, and I was the only one - a Yoruba Lady, picked as an Assistant Lecturer among so many of the candidates that came for the interview. So you see ethnicity doesn't matter (mind you my husband is Yoruba too). It's just about what you bring to the table!

I worked for a very short while, but had to quit to go to Canada for my PhD in one of the top 10 uni, with my family.
The scholarship was very competitive and fully funded by the school (with no strings attached e.g return home etc)

Only two International students were chosen: which was your babe here, and someone from Europe.
In my next post, I will be elaborating about how I gave myself an edge in Nigeria as a student wanting to go into academia e.g. joining international societies, and developing critical reading and writing skills (this is non-negotiable in academia) .

Also I will speak on how to apply for visas (I have travelled to several countries by God's grace and never been denied visas for my family as well) . I think visa issues are critical, the goal here is to be a researcher not limited by geography, this you will definitely be needing visas till maybe you acquire an overriding immigrant status somewhere else. 

The first visa application is crucial, as previous success/failure often impact on subsequent ones, so get it right from the start. We will talk about visas in the next post.

Please note: I will only be speaking about visiting researcher visas, study visas,and student dependant visas, I do not really know much about other visa categories- apologies in advance for that.

ABOUT ME

So briefly about me- I finished from the hard sciences from OAU with a 2:1 (almost made a first class, but I didn't- This fact is very important, as it shows that If I can make it in spite of this, you can too)
I did my Master's in environmental Chemistry from the same (finished this time with a distinction). I landed a fellowship in Europe for some months, after that I came back and moved to the east because of marriage. I was not afraid of starting from the scratch because I believed in what God had put in me.
Before going further, I want to say that my faith is a very important part of who I am. I am a Christian and I believe in the unlimited power of God to do exceedingly above what I ask for. I also believe he has put all I need in me. I believe that no matter where my feet steps, he has given me as an inheritance regardless of my ethnicity and skin colour.
When I got to the east (where my husband works). I took some months out to have my baby and heal. Then I looked around for their federal university.

Thank you so much for your audience,


Regards,
SDK's love child

*WOW This is such an Interesting read!!!