Balancing the Mix: Professional Exams in the Modern Workplace

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? EQUITY VALUTA Any Demerits ? The Caveat Conclusion Questions and Answers

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 EQUITY VALUTA 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 Pharmacy Teaching Accountancy Law Engineering Stock broking PROFESSIONAL EXAMINATIONS: Integrated with First Degrees Separate from First Degree Linked with First Degree

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) EQUITY VALUTA Practical Uses: (Practical Examples discussed) Assist in manoeuvring a career change (Practical Examples discussed) Tool for career advancement (Practical Examples discussed) Tool for Networking and Business Contact (Examples discussed) Tool for achieving Independence ( Business/Vocation/Trade)

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) EQUITY VALUTA On a lighter mood might drain your pocket (so don t be greedy)!!!

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. EQUITY VALUTA Their beauty lie in mixing with quality experience You need to be careful to avoid exposure to their demerits NOW YOU CAN ASK QUESTIONS!

Questions and Answers! EQUITY VALUTA