Choosing a Career
Choosing a career can be extremely harrowing and difficult. For many of you, this will be the first time in your lives that you have to make a choice of such importance and entailing such profound consequences. Besides, you may be tired of studying after all, you have probably been studying for several years. The decision that lies before you now necessitates a certain degree of maturity and soul-searching. It is important to remember, however, that what you studied at school might not be what you wanted to study. Now, perhaps for the first time, you have the opportunity to develop your views, your potential, your intellect and your creativity in a manner that is ideally suited to your unique personal characteristics. It is for this reason that you must ensure that the career that you are about to choose is the right one for you.

Most students fall into three main categories:
1.         Those who have decided what they want to do.
2.         Those who think that they know what they want to do.
3.         Those who do not know what they want to do.
University career service provides information for you, as you fall into any of the above categories. Even if you have decided upon a career, you should take note of the important changes that are presently occurring in the cultural and socio-political spheres, for they may well affect your career choice. Many students, for example, select a career that they believe will result in their earning as much money as possible. Although the desire to maximize your income may well play a role in your choice of career, you should remember that the demand for the services offered by the various professions may vary from time to time, and this will influence the income that members of those professions are able to earn.
            When you decide upon a career, it is vital that you plan your studies in a way that affords you the greatest flexibility, so that you can allow for later career development, for example, postgraduate studies in related fields. Try to keep your options open when choosing your subjects. The fact that you have selected a particular vocational path does not mean that you have to 'lock yourself' into that career, unable to change direction and move into some other walk of life.

Also, do not feel at a loss if you simply do not know what career you wish to pursue, for career decisions may be based on many complex issues. There are, however, certain important questions that you should ask yourself, for example:

1.         Which careers are open to me?
2.         which of these careers will prevent me from maintaining the flexibility that I will need should I decide to change my career direction after I have commenced studying?
3.         Which institution offers tuition in those careers?
4.         Which institution should I select?

Determining the answers to these questions will call for a great deal of soul-searching and introspection. You will have to think very carefully about your personal philosophy towards money, for example, and about what you want out of life. Try to collect as much information as you can from our professional counselors at the UCAS. They are always available to help you out.

Dos and Don'ts of Selecting a Career
Dos
1.         Do obtain as much information as you can about the various career options that are available to you and for which you think you might be suited.
2.         Do analyse yourself carefully and honestly to determine your intellectual and interactive strengths and weaknesses.
3.         Do discuss the matter with your parents and career guidance teacher at school.

Don'ts:
1.         Do not embark on a particular career simply because your parents or friends want you to do so.
2.         Do not choose a career merely because you have a friend who has decided to follow that career. What suits him or her might not be suitable for YOU.
3.         Do not base your decision purely on remunerative grounds. Take into consideration such matters as your likes and dislikes, your personal talents, your intellectual ability and the satisfaction that you think you will derive from doing certain kind of work.
4.         Do not ignore factors beyond your control that may influence your decision, for example, the employment opportunities available in the sector of the economy in which you will be working.

In most careers, three options are available to you:
1.         You may be employed by an organization and paid an agreed salary every month.
2.         You may choose to be appointed as a consultant to an organization, in which event your earnings may be directly related to the amount of work you do.
3.         You may opt for self-employment.

Career/Academic Fields of Study
Accounting: It involves the systematic revising of all financial transactions and the interpreting of these statements and cost accounting. The field of Accounting is very closely linked with Auditing to the point that the theoretical and practical training for an Auditor and a Chartered Accountant (CA) are identical. Focus, however, differs in so far as Accounting concentrates on the financial affairs of an organaisation. Auditing, on the other hand, vouches for the accuracy  and validity of these accounting records.

Additional Information: After the degree, a period of articleship must be served with a firm of accountants and the final examination set by the Board of ICAN or ANAN must be passed.

Communication: As humans are in essence communicative creatures, the study of Communication as an academic pursuit, leads students into all spheres of our existence industry, entertainment, education and information processing.
            Communication is a highly versatile and interrelated study, focusing on the communicator, message, and recipient in different communication settings. Thus, Communication is well suited for careers in Public Relations, Advertising and Human Resources Management.
            Communication for degree purposes (B.Sc.) is easily linked with subjects such as, English, Sociology, Psychology, Industrial Psychology, Economics, Criminology and Politics, Law and International Relations.

Economics: It may be defined as the 'study of mankind in the ordinary business of life'. Economics is concerned with solving the problem of scarcity and the utilization of scarce resources in the most efficient and productive manner, in order to satisfy the wants and needs of mankind. Economics, therefore, deals with problems such as what should be produced, how it should be produced, who should produce it and where it should be produced.

On the so-called macro-economic (large-scale) front, issues such as inflation, economic growth, international trade, taxation, economic development, financial and monetary policies and the overall level of employment in the economy are investigated. Micro-economics, on the other hand, focuses on issues such as the profitability of particular organizations operating under different economic systems.

Subjects that fall within the scope of Economics as a field of study for degree purposes (B.Sc.), include: Economics, Business Economics, Accounting, Tax, Financial Institutions, Administration of Estates, Commercial Law and Introduction to the Economic and Management Environment.

Information Systems: Information is data that has been made useful and 'user-friendly'. A system is a set of components functioning together to achieve a common purpose. From this one can easily recognize the characteristics of Information Systems as the production of information that supports the operation and manages the functions of an organisation.

Information Systems is an inter-disciplinary field of study, in the sense that it is applied to practically all fields of commerce, art and industry.

Subjects that fall within the scope of Information Systems as a field of study for degree purposes, include: Economics, Accounting, Auditing and Communication, Computer, Mathematics.

Computer Science & Information Technology/Computer Technology: IT is the buzz word of the new millennium, the ever-increasing use of computers has generated the need for highly trained workers to design and develop new hardware and software systems, and to incorporate technological advances into new or existing systems.

Graduates in Computer & IT/Computer/Electrical/Electronic Technology can take advantage of the opportunities created by the developing field of IT. These include:
            Tailoring and management of database system
            Ensuring that business solutions are appropriate and well adapted to their purpose
            Taking the best commercial advantage of the systems that are available
            Being able to advise on the best way of developing an existing system.
Programmes leading to B.Sc./B.Tech. In the above will have the following subjects: mathematics, General Physics, Statistics, Applied Mechanics, Computer Programming & Language, Electromechanical Devices & Electrical Machines, Telecommunication, Computer Construction etc.

Law: Our legal systems or 'The Law' is a dynamically development system based on the socio-cultural products of our community. Law regulates and orders a society. It also stabilises and harmonises opposing influences in our community. Therefore, the application field of the law easily slides into the following:

Advocate: An advocate is a specialist who is allowed to appear in the Supreme Court (attorneys may not at this stage). Advocates also write opinions and may be called upon to act as an arbitrator in disputes. Senior advocates may become judges.

Attorney: An attorney attends to various legal matters, such as litigation, draft of documents, arbitration, mediation and divorce. Attorneys may also specialise in, for example, tax law or human rights law. The Bar exams of the Nigerian Council for Legal Education must be passed before a law graduate can be admitted as an attorney.

Psychology: The field of Psychology may be divided into Industrial Psychology, focusing on the psychology within the structure of organisations and how humans relate to their working environment; and Psychology, which studies the functioning, structures, influences and development of the individual.

Advertising: It offers the opportunity to become involved with society's attitudes and opinions determining their wants and needs. It requires total involvement from talented, ambitious people working in a continual flow of activities and being part of a team. Advertising encompasses a vast spectrum of career opportunities, including that of Accounts Executive, Copy Writer, and Marketing Researcher.

Mass Communication & Media Technology: The field of Mass Communication is wide and varied. Students wishing to enter the mass communication industry must be proficient and versatile in one or more languages and be able to relate creatively to the industry. A wide general knowledge and a keen interest in Literature, Social Sciences, Computer Programming and Desktop Publishing is strongly recommended.

Business Administration or Management: Administration and Management are the core of any business. Qualified and efficient staff members are absolutely vital to ensure the day to day running and profitable long-term survival of an organisation.

Economist: An Economist is concerned with solving the problem of how scare resources may be used in the most efficient and productive manner in order to satisfy the wants and needs of mankind. An economist, therefore, deals with such problems as what should be produced, how it should be produced, who should produce it and where it should be produced. An economist investigates issues such as inflation, growth, trade, taxation, economic development, fiscal and monetary policies and the overall level of employment in the economy. The profitability of particular organizations operating under different economic systems also falls within this field of study.

Additional Information: Students wishing to practice as Economists should register for a postgraduate degree.

Human Resource Management: Human Resource Manager deals with issues, such as Labour Legislation, Administration, Training and Development, Organisational Planning, Appraisal and Evaluation, Recruitment and Selection of Personnel. It requires a keen sense of organisational and communicative skills and interpersonal relations. The field of study leads to a degree in (B.Sc.) Honours in Human Resources Management.

Industrial Psychology: A career in Industrial Psychology can be used at all levels and a major in Industrial Psychology may well ensure a job in personnel. With an Honours degree, you can work as an industrial psychometrist.

International Relations: International Relations is designed to provide students with broad understanding of government, the political process, public affairs and global interdependence. It will sufficiently prepare the students for graduate studies and professional positions in International Affairs/diplomatic duties, Public Administration social works etc.

Subjects that fall within the scope of International Relations for degree purposes are: Political Science, Public Administration, International Economic relations, Law, Foreign Policy, and Mass Communication etc.

Journalism: Broadly speaking, journalists search for, and distribution of truth whether it be the truth of a political debacle, sports meeting or even a social or cultural event. A career in journalism is varied and the traditional perception of this career must be reviewed against the backdrop of extraordinary changes in media structures and technological advancement. The journalist's task includes, reporting, editing layout, information processing and distribution.

Additional Information: Apart from Newspaper Journalism, there are two other fields of Journalism to be considered: Magazine Journalism and Special and Technical Journalism. Journalists with a particular interest such as Business, Politics, Entertainment, Computing or Motoring are highly sought after.
Journalists can also seek employment in the field of Public Relations as Media Relations Personnel or Press Officers.

Marketing Management: Marketing is playing an ever-increasing role in the modern business world. It is an exciting field covering diverse aspect such as: Advertising  Product or brand management  Strategic Marketing, Direct Marketing and International Marketing. Degree study in this field is B.Sc. Marketing.

Marketing Researcher: The Marketing Researcher is charged with the task of generating timely and useful marketing information to the Marketing Manager or Director. Marketing Research thus involves the collection of marketing data, the collation and analysis of the collected, data and the dissemination of marketing information generated by the process.

Banking & Finance: Financial services to private, public and corporate clients include short and long-term capital provision, investment advice and portfolio management, as well as planning and raising finance. Mergers, takeovers, stock-exchange listings, loans, international banking services and share issues are handled by bankers.

Additional Information: It is advised that a student wishing to practice as a Banker should register for a postgraduate degree after the B.Sc. degree

Public Relations: The aim of Public Relations is to bring people together in understanding. The PR Officer's main interest lies in the psychology of groups as well as individuals: PR practitioners operate in every sphere of life such as: commerce and industry, government at all levels, educational institutions, universities and colleges, hospitals and health centres, community and social development organisations, diplomatic missions, para-military institutions, religious institutions, consultancies, charities and good causes, armed forces and police.
            They are employed both in public and private sectors as any of the following: Corporate/Public Affairs Managers, PR Consultants, Directors of PR, PR Managers, PR Advisers, Press Officers, Community Relations Managers, Corporate Affairs Managers. Thus, the purpose of PR is to create knowledge and understanding and thereby earn goodwill for individuals and or private/public organisations.

Public Administration: Public Administration involves the management of formal and informal organisations. The field of Public Administration is closely linked with the administration of government institutions at all levels.
Subjects that fall within the scope of Public Administration for degree purpose leading to B.Sc. include: Personnel Administration, Public Financial Administration, and Auditing in the public sector, Public Policy etc.

Educational Management:  Degree leading to B.Sc/B.Ed. Educational Technology & Management equip the graduates with in-depth knowledge in the theory and practice of education. Educational Management graduates provide manpower in the private and public sector of our educational institutions.
Subject that fall within the scope of Educational Management include: Economics, Psychology, Educational Statistics, Management, Research Methods, Computer Programming etc.
For more information about University Career Advisory Services (UCAS), please contact the Students' Welfare and Counselling Services unit of the university.

Note:  Although every care has been taken to ensure the accuracy of the Career Guide, the University authority does accept responsibility for any act, omission, loss, damage or the consequences thereof occasioned by reliance by any person upon the contents thereof.