Would you like to know how to identify your unique skills and experiences, and to leverage same to secure your desired job opportunities?
The Office of Career Development Services (OCDS), University of Lagos (UNILAG), invites you to its 5th Career Conversation Session on Job Interview Success Tips.
The event will hold on Thursday, February 15, 2024 at the Makerspace, UNILAG Main Library at 2:00pm prompt.
Attendance is FREE, but prior REGISTRATION is required via: https://forms.gle/bqYZU9LZQud7NdcG8
Curious about what happened at Career Conversation 4.0 with a Canada-based finance expert, Mrs Oludolapo Adu, which held on Thursday, February 8, 2023? Please scroll down…
CAREER CONVERSATION 4.0: Canada-Based Finance Expert Recommends Networking and Commitment to Excellence as Pathway to Career Success
Students of the University of Lagos and young Nigerians who aspire to make good success of their post-education career have been advised to develop a positive attitude to work, and embrace continuous self-development.
The charge was given by the Head of Upstream Trades at Tulcan Energy Resources, Canada, Mrs Oludolapo Adu, at the fourth edition of Career Conversations, an event organised by the Office of Career Development Services (OCDS), UNILAG on Thursday, February 8, 2023.
Speaking on the topic, Reinventing Yourself for Employability & Career Success, Mrs Adu who made a virtual appearance as Guest Speaker, impressed upon her young audience the need to recognise the changing landscape of the employment market and to embrace its demands.
“The world is fast-changing, and technology is the driver of it. With technology comes ample opportunity for you to develop employability skills and make yourself valuable to the market space. Basic computer skills like Power Point presentation and other proficiencies that show digital literacy are imperatives for anyone who would be relevant to the modern labour market. To thrive out there, you must commit to learning as a continuum; because once you stop learning, you start to die”.
She advocated an introspective assessment of individual potentials, adding that “a personal assessment of one’s ability, with a focus on what is what is likely to add value for the attainment of personal and career goals, is essential for career development”.
The Canada-based Chartered Accountant advocated confidence, ability to write well, commitment to increasing in knowledge by attending seminars, and paying attention to details as imperatives for reinventing oneself for increased employability.
She doubled down on networking as a tool that must be ever present in the arsenal of a person who wants to tap into the world of global opportunities.
“Your network is your net worth! While you work on your personal development, it is important that you associate with others and make the value you offer visible to them. The quality of people that you surround yourself with will define the kind of opportunities that come your way. Personally, the job opportunities that I have gotten came to me by referrals. Quality people will attract quality opportunities and attainment.”
Mrs Adu urged her audience to commit to life-long learning, saying that: “people are mirrored by the books they have read. There are brilliant people everywhere, but to stand out requires a lot of tenacity and dogged pursuit of human capital development. When you constantly research and seek out knowledge, it powers your wheels of originality and distinguishes you among the lot”.
A robust Question-and-Answer session followed Mrs Adu’s presentation. Team Lead of the Office Career Development Services, Dr. Ayodele Shitta, asked the Guest Speaker how she has been able to navigate the multi-disciplinary nature of her career path.
In response, Mrs. Adu credited her ability to successfully navigate the multi-disciplinary career path to her resilience and determination to turn an unhappy situation into a success story. “I wanted to be a Medical Doctor, but after repeatedly missing the target due to lower cut-off marks, I eventually studied Agricultural Science at Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile- Ife, Osun State. Though unhappy, I resolved to make best of the situation, and I graduated with excellent grades. Meanwhile, I had identified my analytical nature and that led me into the field of Accounting, where I have continued to excel. So, it takes an open-minded attitude and a commitment to learning new things”.
To Christopher Amodu, a 400 Level Student who wanted to know how to achieve a fulfilling career, the Guest Speaker advocated a good attitude to work and networking as essential tools. “You can achieve that if you are diligent and thorough in your engagement, beginning from your time now as a student. Commit to excellence in your outputs and network with people in your field. You could never tell who is watching.”
To Taiwo Olayiwola, another student who wanted to know how to identify a successful career path, Mrs Adu advised “focus on your areas of strength and be a master in what you do effortlessly”.
She urged members of the audience to take excellent communication seriously, noting that in the world of work today, an individual is assessed by the quality of his written and spoken English.
“You must triple-check your messages before you send them out, because poorly written messages can have negative impact and create a low-standard impression for the writer. Speak fluently, speak with confidence, and establish eye contact. A positive attitude to work, commitment to excellence, and networking will attract referrals for job opportunities and career building”, she said.
Mrs Adu concurrently serves as Finance Controller for Multi Million Dollar Real Estate Company in British Columbia, Canada with a career spending approximately 12 Years. She is a fellow of the Association of Chattered Certified Accountants (FCCA) and a Member of the Certified Professional Accountant of British Columbia Canada (CPA).
REPORT: Akinola Afolabi
PHOTOGRAPHY: Islamiat Akanni
