zagorakis:
Forget about all these speculations you are doing in Nigeria, there is no way you can enter the US legally as a student and not get sponsorship after your study, unless you are not a smart Nigerian. If you no see sponsorship in Tech or Finance, you look for it in another field, cleaner, hotelier, care assistant, porter, etc. You can even pay for sponsorship, if you're schooling you try and be working and saving for your sponsorship incase, just have good orientation and make smart friends you will be settled.

Thank you.
But most of the occupations you listed are not specialty occupations qualified for H1b.

Can you elucidate on the emboldened?

Youngman50:
Am a recent masters grad from a US university.
Although I got a good job after graduation, I won't recommend this route if you're not very bright. The odds of success aren't high, due to the present job market and the H1B situation.

You can risk it though. Other advise will be to try and secure funding, full or partial

Okay so what do you advise I do?
Which route do you recommend and which route did you go through?

ednut1:
Investment banking is not easy to get into. It’s usually children of the big boys that get in with few brilliant ordinary people. Your best bet is to enter a big 4 audit firm.

IB is easier to get into in Nigeria, it's US I know it gets really tough especially for international students.

I don't like accounting as a career, I prefer other aspects of finance like Private Equity, Hedge fund management, IB, etc.

franchasofficia:
Your only options are:


1.) Nursing
2.) High level programming skill with specialty in backend, deveops, cybersecurity with high level skill.



Forget anything finance

Thank you!

Sctests:
Go and study medical courses, write the exams from Nigeria and start looking for sponsorship jobs on LinkedIn. H1B visa is assured.

From Accounting to Medical field?
I'm not into medical stuffs. Thank you.

being:
Go to finance..specifically accounting.. if u can get a big 4 role... that's a very easy path abroad... but then why are u so desperate to be abroad? Hav u even done the pro vs con? The grass is always greener on the other side.

The problem is I don't wish to work as an accountant. Only Investment Banking, Private Equity etc interests me.

I'm also not desperate. But I prefer there to here.

2braithe:
Hello all.
I am a fresh Accounting graduate awaiting NYSC and I need to make a life changing decision that I will not regret.

I plan to go into Finance, Investment Banking specifically. It resonates with my degree and I can prepare for an entry level role during NYSC.

I picked up Web development during my final year. I have a solid knowledge of HTML, CSS and basic JavaScript now.

I plan to go to the USA through the study route (Masters) and stay back legally.

For Finance:
Within Nigeria, I can get an internship and later an entry level role in one of the numerous investment banking firms in Nigeria.

In USA, I'll need to do MBA. After, to get an employer to sponsor me for H1b visa is war because there are tons of capable citizens better than me. I was even told if I'm not in the STEM field, I should forget sponsorship from employers.
Even if I get sponsorship, there are only 85k H1b slots per year, in 2023, about 483k people applied.😭

---

For Tech:
Within Nigeria, I barely saw any internship opening. Remote internships in foreign companies are the worst. Within 5 hours, 1k people have applied. The job requirements alone will take me over a year to achieve. Same as normal junior job openings... Supply is more than demand.

In USA, I'll need to do Masters in Computer science(I can only work with a degree related to my field of occupation).
Coming from an Accounting background, they may not pick me. If they pick me, I'll do a hell of advanced maths courses.
I can't cope with Discrete mathematics, Linear algebra, Calculus I, Calculus II, etc.
If I manage to cope and I get an employer to sponsor me for H1b visa, I'll still face the lottery of 85k slots and overwhelming applicants. I can't spend that money and come back to Nigeria again.

Please advise me, what should I do?
I'm considering Canada but I don't know if she is better.

Choose tech. Breaking into finance maybe difficult in some countries.

Poanan:


Choose tech. Breaking into finance maybe difficult in some countries.

Thanks

hotwax:


Tech is overrated...everyone is now going into tech.

Go to linked in, once a company posts a tech job, you will see 1,200 people have already applied.

Tech is becoming saturated

And it's finance that's not oversaturated. U think na beans to work for investments firms.
His best bet as a migrant is still tech. The chances of breaking into wall street or any top financial institution is almost zero. That sector is reserved for the la creme la creme of the white male elites. Even ethnic mimority Americans struggle to breakthrough in finance except via affirmative actions, minority quota or u are an exceptional genius.
One of the key to success in global financial world is social skills. How would someone from Nigeria acquire such social skills. Will he be able to even chit chat informally in conference rooms.
Any body can make it in tech so long as U hardworking and diligent. America still issue over 100 thousand h1b visa every year for mainly tech jobs with average salary of 100k.
Let's learn to give pragmatic advise here.

Praying4Nigeria:

My brother, haven't you seen the thread that shows how wiser Nigerians are now returning to make far more Wealth in Nigeria than when they were when abroad? See Comments on the Thread: https://www.nairaland.com/8049931/video-friend-left-europe-suicidal

Leave that thing abeg. Even you,given the opportunity to japa won't have a second thought!

Go and study process technology or process technology in plant operations. You will thank me later.

Actually, if you can see gas processing or gas process technology, that is much better.

I know why.. in the oil industry, workers are laid off. But in the gas industry, you can work constantly.

Gerrard59:
Whichever route you choose, get at least five years work experience in Nigeria, then apply for NIW, as study route to the US doesn't guarantee you a legal stay. NIW is definitive process, while H1B is lottery based, aka tumbo-tumbo.

Regarding professions, both finance or accounting (there's a dearth of qualified accountants in the US) and tech are good. But regarding the former, you need to do your CPA. For the latter, you need to be very good to beat the competition. The competition for jobs isn't even the problem in the US, but getting an authorised visa to work. Studying in the US doesn't guarantee you thar authorisation.

In summary, NIW over study visa.

Thank you.
I checked out that NIW requirements omooo😂

2braithe:


Thank you.
I checked out that NIW requirements omooo😂

NIW is easier and more straightforward than Canada's EE. Five years experience with BSc/BA or an MSc and the five years' work experience gets omitted. If you get into an audit firm while in Nigeria, write ACCA then CPA, you would be qualified to become an accountant and get the work authorization to work in the US. For investment banking, an MBA is extremely important, considering you are a black African coming from a largely poor country and one where there exist very few US investment vehicles compared to, say, India or Vietnam or Brazil. So, MBA from a M7 business school or at least T15. Again, to be admitted into a good MBA program, you need quality and cognate work experience.

If I were you, looking at finance, I would focus on getting quality work experience in Nigeria.

2braithe:


The problem is I don't wish to work as an accountant. Only Investment Banking, Private Equity etc interests me.

I'm also not desperate. But I prefer there to here.

Then, an MBA from an M7 is a must. Check Reddit/MBA section to know whatsup

hotwax:


Go read about Devin.ai

Lol, I knew you would mention Devin

Anyways, I'm done arguing with you

2braithe:


IB is easier to get into in Nigeria, it's US I know it gets really tough especially for international students.

I don't like accounting as a career, I prefer other aspects of finance like Private Equity, Hedge fund management, IB, etc.

IB is not easy to enter. When i was in stanbic ibtc training school years ago just two guys were able to enter IB out of 31.

Big 4 experience in Nigeria plus an MBA in Usa lands you in finance and consulting . I know ex colleagues from a big 4 in Nigeria in amazon, McKinsey, google and the likes. Dey play

2braithe:


The problem is I don't wish to work as an accountant. Only Investment Banking, Private Equity etc interests me.

I'm also not desperate. But I prefer there to here.

Maybe desperate is not the word but keen like have u even been there b4 to be sure u prefer there? There are many factors to be considered not just ur possible increased purchasing power. There is culture, family, social, racism,food, weather many things that can easily trump a better purchasing power. Anyways up to u.
As for finance, we only have IB in Nigeria not PE or hedge fund etc. And IB as ednut has said is not something u decide u want to enter and u find yourself there. It is not even thriving currently cos of the economic decline. Ur best bet in terms of what is sure is accounting.. u can decide to do a cfa and move to IB if lucky from there. Like pple with understanding of how things work are telling u, target big 4 first..

Go with finance
Tech is over rated

Accounting is a big thing here

I don’t know why when people talk of japa na tech then de think first

360command:
Go and study process technology or process technology in plant operations. You will thank me later.

Actually, if you can see gas processing or gas process technology, that is much better.

I know why.. in the oil industry, workers are laid off. But in the gas industry, you can work constantly.

How do I go about it? Is it something I can learn online or is there a school for it

If tech is oversaturated, then finance is oversaturated X 10! On the US side, you are better of anytime any day with IT/Software Dev skills than accounting/finance. There may be 1000 applicants for a single tech job posting. However, there will probably be 10,000 job applicants for the same single accounting/finance job posting. Actually the job prospects between these 2 are not even comparable here in the US. You still stand a better chance of getting sponsorship for a tech job than finance/accounting. There are tons of folks from top notch schools with degrees in finance/accounting here in the US that can't find a job. So why would anyone sponsor you for that.

I have been in tech (software Development) for a very long time, though in management now. There is still pretty good demand for those with strong tech skills.

2braithe:


IB is easier to get into in Nigeria, it's US I know it gets really tough especially for international students.

I don't like accounting as a career, I prefer other aspects of finance like Private Equity, Hedge fund management, IB, etc.

Unless you have a very rich parent, you are more or less dreaming. Note there is a difference between dreaming and vision. Vision is dream backed by actions. You don't like accounting but you like Private Equity, Hedge fund management, IB, etc. What do you think all this people are doing? There are all doing accounting. What you are mentioning are industries that employee people with accounting, law, technology, marketing etc.
The most universal of these skill is accounting. You want to get into any of these industries, you have to sharpen your accounting skills, become a chartered accountant, join an auditing firm, maneuver to the teams auditing banks and investments firms. This may give you an opportunity to get into those field that interests you. It appears you are looking for shortcut. You can get that in Nigeria, not in the western world.

Gerrard59:


NIW is easier and more straightforward than Canada's EE. Five years experience with BSc/BA or an MSc and the five years' work experience gets omitted. If you get into an audit firm while in Nigeria, write ACCA then CPA, you would be qualified to become an accountant and get the work authorization to work in the US. For investment banking, an MBA is extremely important, considering you are a black African coming from a largely poor country and one where there exist very few US investment vehicles compared to, say, India or Vietnam or Brazil. So, MBA from a M7 business school or at least T15. Again, to be admitted into a good MBA program, you need quality and cognate work experience.

If I were you, looking at finance, I would focus on getting quality work experience in Nigeria.

Thank you so much.

I don't seem to understand what you're trying to say at the emboldened.

I'll work on the certifications. I might start with ICAN because it's cheaper then write a paper of ACCA and proceed to CPA.

ednut1:
IB is not easy to enter. When i was in stanbic ibtc training school years ago just two guys were able to enter IB out of 31.

Big 4 experience in Nigeria plus an MBA in Usa lands you in finance and consulting . I know ex colleagues from a big 4 in Nigeria in amazon, McKinsey, google and the likes. Dey play

I feel encouraged.

Are those your colleagues in the US? If yes, how did they do it ?
I have been made to believe that STEM field is the way to move to US easily asides marriage.

being:

Maybe desperate is not the word but keen like have u even been there b4 to be sure u prefer there? There are many factors to be considered not just ur possible increased purchasing power. There is culture, family, social, racism,food, weather many things that can easily trump a better purchasing power. Anyways up to u.
As for finance, we only have IB in Nigeria not PE or hedge fund etc. And IB as ednut has said is not something u decide u want to enter and u find yourself there. It is not even thriving currently cos of the economic decline. Ur best bet in terms of what is sure is accounting.. u can decide to do a cfa and move to IB if lucky from there. Like pple with understanding of how things work are telling u, target big 4 first..

Since I graduated from secondary school, I have been dreaming of going abroad and I'd been doing research and contacting people living abroad.
I was so frequent on travel section of NL that there's hardly any visa thread I hadn't encountered.
So I know about these things you mentioned.

---

I will target big 4. But I'm open to how that can take me to US. Someone already mentioned NIW and I'm on it but I'll need other alternatives to compare too.

Thank you for taking time to respond Sir/Ma.

Bossman:
If tech is oversaturated, then finance is oversaturated X 10! On the US side, you are better of anytime any day with IT/Software Dev skills than accounting/finance. There may be 1000 applicants for a single tech job posting. However, there will probably be 10,000 job applicants for the same single accounting/finance job posting. Actually the job prospects between these 2 are not even comparable here in the US. You still stand a better chance of getting sponsorship for a tech job than finance/accounting. There are tons of folks from top notch schools with degrees in finance/accounting here in the US that can't find a job. So why would anyone sponsor you for that.

I have been in tech (software Development) for a very long time, though in management now. There is still pretty good demand for those with strong tech skills.

You are partially wrong. I hold two master degrees. One in information systems and the other in accounting. I am in forensic accounting. we are constantly looking for qualified personnel. Because US students prefer IT due to high pay, accounting pipeline was left shallow. Accounting field is now scrambling to fill many entry level positions. You are right that the HI-B visa favor IT than accounting. Infact, one of my major challenges is keeping my entry level staff. I have to go extra miles to be nice to those working with me so that they don't leave, believe me it is very challenging filling accounting positions these days.

2braithe:


I feel encouraged.

Are those your colleagues in the US? If yes, how did they do it ?
I have been made to believe that STEM field is the way to move to US easily asides marriage.

their work experience from 9ja ( big 4) was solid, also bankers in core functions from Nigeria ( not branch) are also able to break in. Regardless some have found African Americans to marry as backup 😁

Dijita:


Unless you have a very rich parent, you are more or less dreaming. Note there is a difference between dreaming and vision. Vision is dream backed by actions. You don't like accounting but you like Private Equity, Hedge fund management, IB, etc. What do you think all this people are doing? There are all doing accounting. What you are mentioning are industries that employee people with accounting, law, technology, marketing etc.
The most universal of these skill is accounting. You want to get into any of these industries, you have to sharpen your accounting skills, become a chartered accountant, join an auditing firm, maneuver to the teams auditing banks and investments firms. This may give you an opportunity to get into those field that interests you. It appears you are looking for shortcut. You can get that in Nigeria, not in the western world.

Thank you for the eye opener. I'll consider auditing in the Big 4.
Any advice to make me stand out? Because obviously I'm not the only one pursuing Big 4.

Also, at the risk of being accused of putting the cart before the horse, any tips on how I can be better positioned to relocate abroad(my ultimate goal)?

ednut1:
their work experience from 9ja ( big 4) was solid, also bankers in core functions from Nigeria ( not branch) are also able to break in. Regardless some have found African Americans to marry as backup 😁

No dulling lol

Thank you Sir!! 🤲

steeltrust:
Go with finance
Tech is over rated

Accounting is a big thing here

I don’t know why when people talk of japa na tech then de think first

I think it's because tech gives better chances of staying back. And it's also more lucrative.

Dynamicboss:


Cloud engineers, database admin, software developers (full stack/backend), DevOps (Azure, AWS, kubernetes, dockers) are in hot demands and scarce commodity to get.

Web development is saturated as you can use online tools to design your website

what is the difference between software developer and web development??

Lol. Thank u for thanking me.. u r such a cool kid.
Ednut has already given a clear pathway of how big 4 can land u in the USA--through an MBA or through a CPA( for Canada)..
Now, the fact that u dream about something doesn't mean u will enjoy it when u eventually have it. U were a teenager then, now u are fairly older- u can't just follow any cliche or ur childhood dreams mindlessly.. u need to evaluate what is really good for u.

2braithe:


Since I graduated from secondary school, I have been dreaming of going abroad and I'd been doing research and contacting people living abroad.
I was so frequent on travel section of NL that there's hardly any visa thread I hadn't encountered.
So I know about these things you mentioned.

---

I will target big 4. But I'm open to how that can take me to US. Someone already mentioned NIW and I'm on it but I'll need other alternatives to compare too.

Thank you for taking time to respond Sir/Ma.