Do Whatever it Takes Get the Job done

Do-whatever-it-takes, Get the job done 

Fresh graduate, job searching? Are you doing what you can or doing whatever it takes?  There is a big difference.

You are young, new to the scene. But don’t sell yourself short. Your ability to handle the tough or unexpected can set you apart. Your qualification is essential for graduate positions. However, differentiate yourself by stepping above the degree. Your degree is simply a tool and is no guarantee of what you will do in real life, and how you will react to unexpected situations. You have a degree but forget the book qualification.

An issue comes up with the bank’s servers you are supporting can you move fast, think on your feet and resolve the problem? The answer may not be in any book or classroom. Get past your academic and technical abilities. Why keep yourself in the box when your abilities are actually unlimited? If the pressure is high will you be able to take smart decisions about issues that affect the business in a calm and sound manner? There is a sudden and major change while handling a service request, how well can you read situations and make wise recommendations?

• There is no substitute for someone who is quick to grasp the dynamics of the work environment and can react appropriately. Always look for opportunities to share experiences with interviewers and employers on how you have resolved tough or unexpected encounters in the past, maybe in school or in public.
• But stepping up to carry the weight and show initiative is not a reflex action for many. A major disturbing issue in the job search arena is the dearth of people who think and act like solution providers – most prefer to highlight rather than address problems. “Someone else will solve the problem.” Sometimes challenges could spring from changes in the IT world, system faults, dealing with organizational issues, unfriendly clients or uncooperative colleagues.
• Stand out by showing that you have the mental edge and desire to solve problems– you don’t have experience but you can think, resolve issues and make things happen despite the presence of obstacles. With or without experience, those with real desire give birth to positive action. The work environment is reality not an excuse for incompetence. Employers don’t want to be reduced to nannies or babysitters.
• In the interview do you show that you are dependable, or do you come across as a baby holding tight to toys in a pram? Want the fresh graduate job? Lack of desire is not a selling point. Where is your hunger? Just doing the routine, doing what you can? Where is your sense of urgency? 

Your qualification means nothing to the employer without the relentless determination of an intense do-whatever-it-takes attitude. Grow up and take charge.
HAVE YOUR SAY: Do you agree with the do-whatever-it-takes approach? Please share your thoughts and opinions.



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Jide Awe
Innovation and Development Advisor, ICT

ICT Development Advisory Support and Consulting Nigeria
http://z.jidaw.com/ictDASC
"Technology matters, but it is always about people".
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Call for Proposals Under Intra ACP Academic mobility scheme

THIRD CALL FOR PROPOSALS FOR THE INTRA-ACP ACADEMIC MOBILITY SCHEME (NYERERE PROGRAMME)

The third Call for Proposals under the intra-ACP academic mobility scheme (Nyerere Programme) has been launched. The scheme promotes higher education cooperation between countries in Africa, the Caribbean and the Pacific (ACP).

It funds partnerships between higher education institutions from different countries within these regions, and grants scholarships for students and academics to carry out studies, research or teaching in another country covered by the programme.

Applications must be sent by post and e-mail by 10 June 2013.

Who can participate in the intra-ACP academic mobility scheme?
The intra-ACP academic mobility scheme is open to higher education institutions as well as to students, doctoral candidates, teachers, researchers and university staff (academic and/or administrative) from ACP countries.
The funding opportunities are the following:
 
Institutions organised into partnerships
ACP higher education institutions may submit applications to organise a partnership under the programme. All applications must be submitted to the Education, Audiovisual and Culture Executive Agency in accordance with the application conditions and timetable defined in the annual Calls for proposals. There must be one applicant institution that submits the application on behalf of the partnership. A partnership must comprise between 3 and 12 partner higher education institutions.

Partnerships selected receive lump-sum amounts for the implementation of their activities and a further grant to fund the scholarships to be awarded to the selected students and staff.

Students and academic staff
Students, doctoral candidates, teachers, researchers and academic staff should address their applications directly to the selected intra-ACP mobility partnership. Each partnership will issue a Call for applications with its own deadlines and application conditions.

Scholarship amounts can vary according to the level of studies/teaching/research and their duration (1 month to 4 years).


For more information:
WebSite

BILATERAL EDUCATIONAL AGREEMENT SCHOLARSHIP AWARDS INTERVIEW

2013/2014 BILATERAL EDUCATIONAL AGREEMENT (BEA) SCHOLARSHIP AWARDS INTERVIEW
Interested and qualified Nigerians are invited by the Federal Ministry of Education to participate in the 2013/2014 Nomination Interview for Bilateral Educational Agreement (BEA) Scholarship Award tenable in Russia, China, Cuba, Morocco, Algeria, Romania, Ukraine, Turkey, Egypt, Japan, Serbia, Mexico, Macedonia, e.t.c

The Awards are for Undergraduate (UG) and Postgraduate (PG) studies.

2013/2014 BEA INTERVIEW VENUES AND DATES are FROM MARCH 18TH TO22 ST MARCH 2013

FIELDS OF S TUDY
a.  Under graduate  level  -  Medicine,  Paramedical,  Engineering, Geology,  Agriculture, Sciences, Mathematics, Languages, Environmental Sciences, Sports, Law, Social Sciences, etc
b.  Postgraduate level (M asters Degree and P h.D) in all fields

CRITERIA FOR ELIGIBILITY
A.  POSTGRADUATE SCHOLARSHIP: All applicants must hold a First Degree with at least 2nd Class Upper Division. The applicants who are previous recipients of  Foreign Awards must have completed at least two (2)  years post qualification or employment practice in Nigeria. A knowledge of the Foreign language of the donor country is desired  particularly   for  those  applying  for  Russian   Award.  All applicants must have completed N.Y.S.C. Age limit is 35 y ears for Masters and 40 years for Ph.D.

B.   UNDERGRADUATE   SCHOLARSHIP:   All   applicants   for undergraduate degree courses must possess a minimum qualification of Five (5) Distinctions (As & Bs) in the Senior Secoundary School Certificate (WAEC or NECO)   only  in the subjects relevant to their field of study including English Language and Mathematics. Certificates  should  not  be more than  Three (3)  y ears  old  (2010  –
2012). Age limit is 23 y ears


NOTE  (For  al l  Applicants):  Knowledge  of  the  language  of  the country of choice is an added advantage.

For Full Details Click on the
Site

2013 Olusegun Obasanjo Prize for Scientific Discovery Technological Innovation

The African Academy of Sciences has announced the call for nominations of the 2013 Olusegun Obasanjo Prize for Scientific Discovery and/or Technological Innovation.

AAS invites nominations from AAS Fellows, Members of National Academies, Research Councils and Universities in the region as well as self nomination from interested individuals from Africa. The selection of women scientists is encouraged. Please complete and send  the Nomination Form and complete nomination package as indicated below by 30th April 2013.

1.        Full name of the nominee and complete address, including current professional affiliation;

2.       Nominee’s biodata and C.V., including his academic or professional, current position, refereed communications and publications in learned journal, etc.;

3.       A critical appraisal of 1,000-2,000 words summarizing the candidate’s achievements in relation to the purpose of the Prize, and supported by published or other relevant evidence, and 3 sets of the most important and relevant reprints or documents, to be available to the Selection Committee;

4.       An indication as to whether the work (part or whole) has been recognized by any other prize or award;

5.       The names of at least 3 referees with their full addresses including telephone, telex, fax, etc., from whom further information could be sought;

6.       Written consent to candidacy by the nominee plus 2 recent passport size photographs; and

7.       Name and professional affiliation of the Nominator, with full contact details.


The Olusegun Obasanjo Prize for scientific discovery and/or innovation is intended to reward and honor African Scientists who have made outstanding contributions in the scientific discovery or technological innovation. The prize has been named in honor of President Olusegun Obasanjo in recognition of his exemplary statesmanship and leadership at national, regional and International levels and the positive role he has played in nurturing the spirit of scientific discovery and technological innovation in Africa. The prize is awarded every two years to individual scientists or a group of scientists that the Prize Selection Committee deems to have made outstanding scientific discovery or technological innovation that generate social and economic benefits of the development of the continent.
More details on: Obasanjo PRIZE 2013 Information


The African Academy of Sciences
8, Miotoni Road, off Ngong Road, Karen,
P.O. Box 24916 - 00502, Nairobi, Kenya
Tel: + 254 (20) 806 0674/ 806 0676/ 240 5150
Cell: +254 725 290 145
Email: aas@aasciences.org