Earning a bachelors degree is a huge achievement in Nigeria and most times it's enough to build a successful career. However, for some other people acquiring a postgraduate degree can be beneficial for different reasons including:
- To increase probability of employment in a given field of engineering
- Reduce gap years in a resume
- To gain new skills necessary for career progression
- Acquire research skills
The above list is not exhaustive as the reasons for further studies are numerous. Whatever the reason, choosing the right University and the right degree is a tasking experience.
Firstly, I am of the opinion that the decision to acquire a postgraduate should be guided by sound economic principles. So unless you or your parents are very rich, do not waste money acquiring a degree that will not yield economic value in the foreseeable future. In a nutshell, do not base your decision on passion alone, think about return on investment.
Secondly, if your goal is to land your first job after graduation, choose programs with high employment opportunities. For example, if you plan on studying an Msc in Aerospace Vehicle Design , you need to find out if there are opportunities for young engineers in the Aerospace industry. Inexperienced engineers are rarely considered for jobs in highly specialised areas. Therefore, it may be more beneficial to choose a program in a broader field in line with your first degree.
Thirdly, another important factor to ponder , is whether to acquire the degree locally in Nigeria or Internationally. It is not in my character to paint my country in a bad light, but the truth is that the quality of education in Nigeria is very poor. If finance is not a challenge, I personally recommend studying abroad. Whether you decide to study at home or not, choosing a highly ranked University is the right way to go. Do not waste a year or two of your life studying in a low-rank school.
Lastly, I will personally advice against studying in the United Kingdom. The UK has a lot of world class engineering schools with excellent facilities and professional lecturers. However, in recent years the UK has made it extremely difficult for international students to gain employment after studies. The British government scrapped the post-study work visa - used to be a two year work permit - in 2012 and now students have only four months to find a job or leave.
My top countries to consider for postgraduate studies as you are more likely to get a job after studies are
- Australia
- Canada
- Germany
- New Zealand
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