Should a First Class graduate consider postgraduate degree or paid employment after graduation? | EduCeleb
Abdussalam Amoo
29th January 2018
First Class graduates are said to have scored the top scores in their university education. They may not necessarily be brilliant than their peers. But they attained such feats by putting more efforts on their studies. They excelled as a result of adequate preparation that met opportunity.
A number of First Class graduates are bothered about whether to go for a postgraduate degree or a paid employment immediately after graduation. In some instances of professions, they may also need to choose between going for a professional course and the two. EduCeleb.com asked experts across various careers about this.
“A First Class candidate is a potential scholar. The best suited step for such an individual is to pursue further academic studies. That is if the First Class is as a result of his/ her academic astuteness and performance.He/she should surf through the internet to get scholarship funding. So many are available.
That is not advisable if (attained) per chance for choice: because human beings have their fundamental right of choice. He could start to look for a job, which may not be the actual demonstration of his intellectual property, if he/she wishes to pursue money.”
Dr Ronke Christiana Ojo
Senior Lecturer
Department of Adult Education
University of Lagos
The person should take the one that comes first from the two.  Moreover, a postgraduate  study does not debar one from working. The two could be combined.
Dr Idayyah Lamidi
HOD English, International School, Ibadan
“One who made a first class degree should better go for post graduate degree to enable him acquire more knowledge, hard and soft skills to come back to the system to help impact knowledge and skills to upcoming generation. That is if and only if he has the passion and calling to be a teacher. However, if his/her flare is in the industry he/she should go in there to make contribution to the development of the society. So, in my view, either choice should be informed by his/her passion and calling, otherwise such person is going to be a failure.”
Professor Adams Onuka
Institute of Education, University of Ibadan, Ibadan
A first class graduate would have access to numerous scholarships after graduation. It would be better he takes up advanced degree to the PhD rather than rushing to accept a paid job.
Someone with a paid job would be more focused on meeting up with targets of his employers than developing himself. If he seeks to obtain any qualification on the job, it is either his output diminishes or he doesn’t face his studies squarely. His employer may end up laying him off due to low productivity.
So, I will advice a person with a First Class to take advantage of funding opportunities and advance his academics to the PhD and run professional courses while doing so. A PhD holder in the management science would be sought after beyond Nigeria and those who initially offered him employment after graduation would willingly make him a consultant.
“There is no better option of the two choices. It  depends on career choice, financial status, personal goals, opportunities available  among several other factors.
If there is openings in viable organizations with opportunity for career development getting job early at the end of secondary school or a degree programme may be a safer and better choice.
However you may find it difficult to fulfil your dreams in some situations if you get job early. Your employer may resist such move especially if your field of study is not relevant to the current job.
There are others who have got higher degrees. Yet, they have to wait for years before getting their dream job. So, wisely choose.”
Dr Abraham Oladokun
National Examinations Council (NECO), Minna
What are your thoughts about the subject? Let’s know in the comment box below.