1. 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

2. 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 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

3. 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)

4. 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)!!!

5. 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!

6. EQUITY VALUTA Questions and Answers!