Dear Ralph: Should I leave school?

Hello Ralph,
       Quick advice needed. I am in my 300 level in school, just started the first semester. I have a bad result but not the type that would chase me out of school or give me extra years. Just so many D and E everywhere. I don't think the result that I would get would be reasonable when I graduate. My GPA is nothing to write home about at all. Although I know that there are companies like banks that would take me no matter what my result might be. Now the thing is that I have a friend, well a man actually that is far more advanced than I am in life. He has a company and he is really in need of someone to help him run his business. He has kids but they are all really young. The thing is that he needs me right now and I am scared that I might pass up the opportunity and never get such again in my lifetime. He trusts me so much and really wants me to come work for him because the company has been suffering and he has been stressed trying to manage it.
The thing is that it might require me to leave my schooling and go chase this work. I know the state of my country and I know I might never find a job again. The pay from this job is really good and he plans to throw in some benefits along with it. He is a really good friend of mine and according to him, he didn't finish school either. And that was what helped him start up the company and make it far in life this early. The offer is really tempting but I don't want to make the wrong decision. I am confused. Please can you say anything on this? Thank you.

                                                                                                                                                      Dregzy










Dear Dregzy,
        I think you should first of all confirm and know if it is possible for him to hold that position for you. Ask him that assuming you can't just leave school, if he would still be willing to give you that position when you finally come out. Seeing that you both are friends, chances are that even if you do not drop out, he would find a temporary solution until you come out. He might not be able to trust a stranger as much as he would trust you. So ask him directly if it is possible first of all and then you can know what next to do.

Also you are just starting your 300 level. You can still up your GPA very much. if you have 2 or 3 years remaining it is still very possible. You just need to start now to put in more effort. I take it you haven't gone for your IT yet. If you start now to work hard on your studies, you would get your GPA up. And you still have the IT and final year Project to look forward to. Those two really boost your GPA a lot, so look forward to them and do your best when it is time. Meet your course adviser and let him explain further and clearer how these things work. The hope is not yet lost for you. You can still get a good result right now. And if luck shines on your side you would still get this job and have both.

However I know even with a good result it might be hard to get a job. But get that one as insurance first. Do not bank too much on the fact that some banks would take you no matter what, times are changing, businesses are "up-ing" their game now and most people want graduates. As much as I know that productivity is the most important thing, it is very few companies that recognize that. And even the ones that know, simply pay you peanuts because you don't have a cert. So you need to work on that result. Also do not use your friends life to judge your own life. He might have gotten lucky and gotten away with not finishing school, but it might not be the same with you. You need to at least put in an effort. Plus you don't know if you would be able to go through the same struggles he did to get to where he is. Do everything within your power to finish up, its almost over. And if you know you tried your genuine best and school doesn't work out for you then fine that's understandable.

So finally I would say again, ask him if he can hold the position for you until you are done. Maybe go help him during holidays and any time you have the chance from school to let him know you are serious. Maybe try to do your NYSC in his office also and carry on from there. If he agrees to this then you are in luck. If not, then you can get back to me and we would check out other solutions. But read the few comments that would come in and know if any of them would offer a good advice for you also. I hope you make the right decision. Take care for now

                                                                                                                                                      Ralph