The inspiring story of how I found fulfilment in a course I never wanted – Olalekan Asipa
The Story of My Life
My name is Olalekan Asipa, I have decided to share my life experience because I believe someone out there can benefit from it. Many times I wonder how I managed to survive and still stay strong. The conclusion I came to was that there was someone out there orchestrating these events and that all could not have been a coincidence. I will be sharing both the ugly and the good side and will keep it short and precise. Hope this inspires someone. The most interesting part you will soon see was how everything all came together.
First Degree at Unilag
The names of admitted students were published in the national daily, my parents checked on my behalf and never found my name on the list but something told me I had to check this same list myself. I listened and went to buy this same newspaper and behold my name was there but wrongly written (Olaoku Asipa).
I began my studies and soon did very well in my first year and secured the minimum CGPA required for my transfer from my current course (Met &Mat Engr) to (Mechanical Engr). There was nothing I did not do just to persuade my then HOD to release me. Even the then HOD of mechanical wrote a letter to my HOD but still he was adamant. Finally, I got the VC to write a letter to my HOD, that letter was torn and thrown in to the rubbish before my very eyes by my HOD.
He went further to persuade me to stay and focus on my course. It was at this point I settled down and never bothered to push the matter. I later graduated with a 2.1 in the course. Before then I was lucky to do an undergraduate internship at a company called Nigerdock were the passion to pursue a career in welding engineering was developed. Recall that I never wanted to study my course in the first place but now I suddenly developed the love for welding which is an integral part of Met & Mat Engr.
Youth Service (NYSC) in Plateau State/NCCF
I served in Jos and spent lots of my time with Nigerian Christian Corpers Fellowship (NCCF). The most remarkable experience I had was when we found ourselves in the middle of the Jos crisis in Nov/Dec 2008. I bet you don’t want to know the full details of what happened but God saw us through and preserved our lives.
My Darkest Moment
I had thought that by doing so well in school, I would be served with the job of my dreams but reality soon kicks in. I finished my NYSC in March 2009, from that time I was jobless and often times I say to myself; what was the point of going to school and doing so well. I soon got an answer in the ugliest of ways.
On the 3rd of August 2009, I had a terrible accident, the vehicle I was in tumbled several times on Lagos/Ibadan expressway on my way to Ibafo (my parent’s place). Fortunately for me, I was not hurt but as you would imagine not everyone was that lucky. I came out of that accident with the revelation – “It is only the living that that can complain of joblessness”. I then realize, if there is life, then there is hope.
Scholarship to Study Welding Abroad
I had applied for admission at Cranfield University back in December 2009 even when I had no Idea of where the funding was going to come from. I secured the admission to start in October 2010. I later applied for PTDF scholarship but was unlucky. Suddenly, in July 2010 I stumbled on an advert calling on students of the Niger Delta region to apply for scholarship. This was going to be the inaugural edition of this scheme. I applied and soon got called for interview. At the interview, I was told to explain what course I was going to study and why. Immediately I mentioned Welding Engineering, the whole panel one by one all said they were interested in me. That was a huge shock. At that point, all I had said was the course and nothing more. At the end, I was told I would definitely be called and the rest was history.
Having secured the scholarship, I called my school (Cranfield) to defer my admission till October 2011, since it was already late to resume for the 2010 session. By January 2011, I called my school to ask for a new admission letter. To my shock I was told I was denied admission. Something told me to call my course advisor who granted the initial admission. I did that and the situation turned around and rest was history.
Study at Cranfield University
I soon flew for the first time in my life at the age of 28 to my school. I settled down for my course which went smoothly. Three months into my course, we had companies come to school to recruit students; I applied and was soon called for an interview with a Subsea Pipeline manufacturing company. I did the interview alongside other colleagues. I never heard from the company. Few weeks later, we were informed that a subsidiary of the same company I did interview for wanted to interview us. I could not understand. Initially I refused to apply but we were persuaded to apply by our then course advisor who told us this recruitment was a local one. We applied and later, I heard my colleagues had received interview invitations, something told me I should contact the company in question, I did, and was later called for interview and the rest was history. Yes I got the Job and you know what, I got the job five months into my M.Sc. course.
Conclusion
I have shared this story to give hope to many people out there. No matter how bad your situation is, when there is life there is hope. Most importantly, learn to rely on God. It is important that you act when god speaks to you. This is very important. Everything that happens to you, good or bad is not a coincidence; it is all a divine orchestration by God to bring you to what is best for you.
Asipa is presently a Welding Engineer at Subsea 7, a pipeline manufacturing company. in Glasgow, United Kingdom.
Comment* iam also welder in marine engineer, love the job. But i dont have a job.