Job Fair | Alumni| Babcock University

2019 Graduating Class Career Fair

The much awaited 2019 Graduating Class career Fair successfully began and ended. To the glory of God, the Alumni Relations office with the support of The Phoenix Graduating Class was able to make it an eventful and a memorable one.
Driven by passion to create an enabling environment for our ever growing young Alumni, beautifully-packaged programs were introduced in this year’s Career Fair by the Alumni Relations Office. Targeting leading local and international organizations with impressive performance records to be a part of this year’s event was prioritized as a way for greater achievement for our 2019 graduating students. Giving them the best of options to choose from couldn’t have been more helpful for their future career.
As earlier planned, the 5 day Career Program did feature a host of companies, organizations, SMEs and Educational institutions across the globe. Just like the previous yearly events, the special appearances by some foreign universities and multinationals added color to the events while also presenting members of the graduating class with postgraduate studies options and career choices.

In attendance at this year’s career fair was the President/Vice-Chancellor, Professor Ademola S. Tayo along with the Senior Vice Presidents, Academics and Management Services, Professors Iheanyi Okoro and Sunday Owolabi respectively. The Vice President Financial Administration and the Vice President Student Development were also sighted amongst the Vice Chancellor’s entourage. Having the principal officers around created an avenue for the graduating students to edge closer to the representatives of the University Administration which of course afforded them the opportunity to gain more on things that could prove helpful in their future careers.

Day 1

The program began with the exhibition of products for sale by some of our Alumni. It is pertinent to say that some of these exhibited materials/wares were produced by these Babcock graduates. This opportunity was also made open to some of our students and a few non-alumni. Different games were staged as a side attraction to entertain those present.

Day 2

Representatives of invited foreign universities were introduced. This inclusion was to enable some of the graduating students who have the desire to continue their postgraduate studies abroad to make their choices. Fortune smiled on some members of the graduating class as online interviews were conducted for those who have performed excellently well in their academics. This opportunity was given by The Boston Consulting Group (BCG) to members whose academic records falls within the First Class range.

Day 3

The President/Vice Chancellor, Professor Ademola Tayo officially declared open the 2019 Career Fair. With him were other Principal Officers to support the event. The highly applauded 2018 Career Fair innovation championed towards reducing unemployment amongst our Alumni continued in this year’s edition with another set of five Alumni members presented with cash award of N200,000 each for the best business plans from alumni of Babcock University. The University Administration in conjunction with the Office of Alumni relations is committed to this course and it is hoped that this innovation will be sustained for a very long time. Ultimately, the relationship doesn't end while still in school. This annual ceremony produced Hannah Akinbode, Abraham Ogechi, Adebiyi Olumayokun, Hunder, Eguolor and Enabunlele Glory as recipients of the 2019 Babcock Alumni Best Business Plan Award (BABBPA). While this idea advertently empowers the recipients to be self sufficient, it is believed that in the long run, they would become would-be employers and thereafter become employers of labour themselves.
As a part of the program, representatives of companies like Unilever Nigeria, Stanbic IBTC, Lekoil, Pal Pensions, KPMG, Procter & Gamble and others were allowed to speak briefly to the audience. Members of the graduating class would later have the opportunity to make in-depth enquiries during the period allocated for rounds.
This address was followed by the booths inspection by the President/Vice-Chancellor and his team while the graduating students spent the better part of the day interacting with representatives of the companies and organizations present.

Day 4

A few companies had the opportunity to address the students, carefully touching on their services, career insights and expectations for newcomers in the labour world. This open discourse set a platform for the graduating class to share their experiences as well, with special attention to their preparedness for the business world. Apparently, many of our young alumni are aware of the challenges that exist outside the university system as they restated their readiness for it and they all have Babcock to thank for it.

Day 5

The day started with introduction of two established achievers purposely invited to share life changing experiences with the Phoenix Graduating Class. Dr. Krae Kwesi, a Top Executive from IITA Ibadan and Mrs. Nellie Onwuchekwa, a Security Business Integrity and Compliance Advisor at Exxon Mobil made it worthwhile as their speeches touched on commitment and determination as key ingredients to building a sustainable career. Some of the events shared matter-of-factly touched on experiences gotten from humble beginnings which could have mitigated their chances of attaining success if they had not been determined to wade through the numerous challenges. Members of the graduating class no doubt left better equipped than they came.
Another highlight at the program was anchored by Pal Pensions, a company that manages pension funds for pensionable employees. Theirs centered on the essence of having a secure and adequate pension management which comes with proper planning.
This experience not only touched on making career plans but also the need to plan for life after retirement.
In their attempt to encourage the students on the realities to be faced after graduation, some selected students were given the task to perform short commercials. The aftermath produced winners from both the male and female categories. In the female category, the winner was presented with a fridge and N10,000 cash while the 2nd best got a cash award of N10,000 with some gift items. In the male category, the winner received a home theatre and a cash award of N10,000 while the 2nd best got N10,000 cash and gift items. Consolation prizes were thereafter presented to some other contestants.

This years career fair had a wonderful ending as members of the graduating class had positive things to share. The experiences gotten has no doubt added to their preparation for the future which lies just beyond the walls of the university. It is a joint venture and the Alumni Relations Office is prepared to walk with them all the way, giving the needed support as they fly the brand that Babcock has created for herself.

Graduating Class Job Fair