EQUITY VALUTA

The Role of Professional Exams – Balancing the Mix

Introduction: What is a Profession? What are Professional Exams, Professional Courses and Professional Bodies?

What Advantages do Professional Exams Expose You To?

Any Demerits ? The Caveat

Conclusion

Questions and Answers

EQUITY VALUTA

Introduction: What is a Professional, Professional Courses, Professional Exams and Bodies? Profession:(According to Oxford Advanced Learners Dictionary): A Profession is a type of job (or endeavour) that needs special training or skill, especially one that needs a high level of education.

The idea of profession suggests:• A body of knowledge• A series of examinations• A regulatory body• Standards of Practice, Code of Conduct/Ethics• Certification for Members

It therefore follows that not all university degrees/qualifications make you a professional e.g. Philosophy, Economics, English, Biochemistry. However there are always related or close professional endeavours, Law, Accountancy, Management, Journalism, Advertising etc

PROFESSIONAL BODIES:

- Nigerian Medical Council- ICAN- COREN

- CIS

PROFESSIONS:Medicine PharmacyTeaching AccountancyLawEngineeringStock broking

PROFESSIONAL EXAMINATIONS:

Integrated with First DegreesSeparate from First DegreeLinked with First Degree

EQUITY VALUTA

What Advantages Do Professional Exams Expose You To?

Employers Perception:

Demonstration of Focus (take the case of a fresh graduate, minimum requirement of some multinationals)

Demonstration of Competence and Proper Training (what the likes of ICAN does to an accounting graduate)

Demonstration of Discipline (a follow on of passing through the rigours of some of these exams)

Demonstration of Integrity and/or Ethical Awareness (Most of these exams have ethics or code of conduct modules)

Practical Uses: Assist in manoeuvring a career change (Practical Examples discussed)

Tool for career advancement (Practical Examples discussed)

Tool for Networking and Business Contact (Practical Examples discussed)

Tool for achieving Independence ( Business/Vocation/Trade) (Examples discussed)

EQUITY VALUTA

Any Demerits ? The Caveat

Professional Qualifications not enough – you need to justify your competence, display excellence and add value to the qualification

itself

Professional Qualifications not enough – you need to back it up with quality experience and attitude of continuous improvement

Creates a perception of lack of focus (from employers perspectives) (For instance, a fresh graduate having so many , especially when unrelated)

Demonstration of Integrity and/or Ethical Awareness (Most of these exams have ethics or code of conduct modules)

On a lighter mood – might drain your pocket (so don’t be greedy)!!!

EQUITY VALUTA

Conclusion

Professional qualifications bestows on you some respect founded upon some expectations and perceptions

They are tools of engineering career change and advancement for those who know how to use them

Professional qualifications are good for networking and building contacts and are a gate way to

being on your own.

Professional qualifications are not enough; the holders actually add value to it with drive for competence and quality task execution.

Their beauty lie in mixing with quality experience

You need to be careful to avoid exposure to their demerits

NOW YOU CAN ASK QUESTIONS!

EQUITY VALUTA

Questions and Answers!