Grad School Buddy

In this episode, we are with Samuel Okonkwo (ACIPD, ACIPM) , a Senior Human Resources Consultant with over 11 years of experience across Nigeria, South Africa, Norway, and Qatar, to explore the role of HR in large multinational companies. Samuel discusses his unexpected journey into human resources and the defining moment that shaped his early career. We also explore what HR consultants actually d...

In this episode, we’re with Dr. Chioma Ogbonna, a pharmacist with over 17 years of experience across Nigeria and Canada, to explore the evolving role of pharmacists in healthcare. Her conversation with us traces how pharmacy has shifted from traditional medication dispensing to a more patient-centered, clinical, and systems-focused profession. Dr. Chioma Ogbonna, Pharm D, MSc talks about her caree...

Not all healthcare decisions happen in a hospital. In this episode, we’re with Awwal Abdullahi, a Business Development and Strategy professional on the Neuroscience team at Medtronic. His work sits at the intersection of healthcare and business, focused on one goal: improving how patients around the world access essential medical technologies. Awwal shares his journey from electrical engineering,...

In this episode of GSB Career Insights, we have a conversation with Dr. Andre Isaacs, Associate Professor of Chemistry at the College of the Holy Cross, to explore his journey from Kingston, Jamaica, to becoming an organic chemist, researcher, and educator transforming how students experience science. Dr. Isaacs shares his story of navigating cultural transitions, academic challenges, and identity...

What does it look like to build a career that moves across medicine, public health, and finance? In this episode, we sit down with Dr. Adanna Chukwuma, Associate Vice President for Economic Growth and Private Sector Engagement at CARE. Dr. Chukwuma shares her journey from studying medicine at the University of Nigeria to working on health system reforms at the World Bank, financial inclusion at Vi...

In this episode of the GSB Career Insights Series, we explore the field of ophthalmology and the growing importance of eye health awareness. Our guest, Dr. Henrietta Ifechukwude Monye, is an ophthalmologist and public eye health advocate dedicated to preventing blindness and improving access to eye care. She is also the founder of Eyehub Nigeria, an initiative focused on eye health education, earl...

Ever wondered how banks decide who gets a loan, and who doesn’t?  In this episode, we sit down with Temitope, a credit risk and financial services professional with an MBA, experienced in advising banks across the UK and international markets. Credit risk management (CRM) determines who banks lend to, how much risk they take, and how they do it responsibly. Temitope explains how CRM balances regul...

Welcome to the premiere episode of  Season Five, themed ‘GSB’s Career Insight Series.’ In this season, we will break down unique career paths, one conversation at a time.  This episode serves as a blueprint for what's to come. Join our co-hosts Ebelechukwu, who is a social scientist and researcher in the international development and public policy sector, and Chukwuebuka, who works in Private...

The year is coming to an end, and we didn't want to sign off without a proper goodbye. For the Season Finale, we kept it in-house, just the four of us looking at 2025 in review. We talked about everything: our favorite podcast guests, the GSB mentees, collaborations, the lessons from the year, and our hopes for next season. We discussed what keeps our team tight and what it really takes to su...

In this special episode, we bring you highlights from our live event hosted by Grad School Buddy in collaboration with EduFurther, designed to equip the next generation of graduate students with real-world guidance and mentorship to thrive in grad school and beyond. On the panel, Rokeebat discussed grad school preparation and cleared common misconceptions about pursuing a graduate degree; ebelechu...

In this episode, we discuss joining a graduate program with limited professional experience and how friendships and community make the journey easier. Our guest today is Esomchi Agalamanyi, who studied Economics at the University of Nigeria and earned a master’s in Education, Public Policy & Equity at the University of Glasgow.  His professional journey has taken him from the UN office in New...

Dana is a labor market economist whose work in the MENA region spans workforce development, gender reforms, and the future of work. Growing up, Dana's interests ranged from science and sports to languages, but never policy. She eventually studied Government and International Politics at George Mason University, with minors in Middle Eastern Studies and Economics. In this episode, Dana takes u...

It’s not really about grad school this time, it’s a bit of everything. In this episode, Ebele and Ebuka reflect on the thought behind Grad School Buddy: to share stories from people of all walks of life who have taken different paths to and through grad school. From those who moved countries to study, to people who took out loans, self-funded or received scholarships, and folks who chose not to pu...

Seun and Chinemerem met at the University of East Anglia, where they are earning advanced degrees in Global Development and Finance & Economics, respectively. Their friendship and collaboration have since grown, but their journey into development and impact began long before grad school — through grassroots projects, nonprofit leadership, and bold work in public policy. Seun is the founder of...

Meet Odinaka Akpamgbo, a Nigerian scholar who earned first class twice—first from Enugu State University of Science and Technology, then from the Nigerian Law School. He also secured admission to four top UK universities, landing three fully funded scholarships, including one to study the prestigious Bachelor of Civil Law at Oxford. In this episode, Odinaka shares how his early encounters with inj...

You can work in tech without writing a single line of code. In this episode, we are with Barbra Okafor, a media strategist, content creator, and digital leader whose career spans TikTok, BBC, Trace, and now the Isle of Wight Council. With Master's degree in media and communications from the London School of Economics, Barbra has carved a niche at the intersection of tech and storytelling. We...

Some people are born teachers.  At just 25, Chisom Paula Ogamba stepped into a classroom at Alex Ekwueme Federal University, Ndufu-Alike, as a lecturer in English and Linguistics. In this episode, she walks us through her unique journey, from a curious undergrad who loved simplifying complex topics for her peers to a sociolinguist and PhD researcher passionate about critical narrative analysis. Ch...

In this episode, we connect with Chike Ivor Onyekwelu, a seasoned product designer with expertise in Figma illustration and brand identity design. Now pursuing a Master’s in Information Technology with Project Management in the UK, Chike opens up about his first few weeks as an international graduate student. He shares candid reflections on how reality compares to his expectations, the early chall...

In the first episode of Season Four, we talk with Dani, a senior external affairs officer specializing in human development, to explore the role of communication in global development.  Dani shares her journey from studying history to international relations, her transformative experience at Johns Hopkins, and how storytelling shapes her work in Global Development. She highlights the power of stor...

In this episode, Dr. Ashley Ruba, founder of AfterAcademia , shares her journey from a successful career in academia to roles in UX research at companies like Meta and Arthrex. Despite her academic accomplishments, including publishing multiple papers and winning prestigious awards, she realized the traditional academic path wasn't aligned with her expectations. Dr Ruba opens up about the emo...

Today’s conversation features Obinna Nwabueze, a dynamic academic and sports enthusiast whose professional journey blends the worlds of academics, football, and languages. Obinna’s passion for governance and societal issues inspired his decision to study Political Science at the University of Nigeria. At Nsukka, he held several leadership positions and won numerous football trophies for his class...

Are you considering grad school as the next step for your creative career? Then this episode is for you! We are joined by Xorlali Plange, a Ghanaian fashion and costume designer, and Ernest Nweke, a Nigerian writer and multimedia storyteller. Ernest, who is looking to apply to graduate school, moderates this session as Xorlali, a Master of Fine Arts candidate majoring in costume design at the pres...

Have you ever wondered what it takes to carve out a successful career in policy despite its complexities?  In today's conversation with Priya Alagarraj and Ruchika Bhatia, co-founders of Policy Career Central (PCC),  we discuss their experience in the public policy profession.  Policy Career Central is a community-driven platform that provides valuable resources, opportunities, and practical...

Conrad, Kosiso, and Chukwuma were classmates from the 2016 Class of the Department of Economics at the University of Nigeria, Nsukka. Today, we bring you an engaging conversation between them as they discuss the different directions their lives and careers have taken since graduation. After earning their bachelor’s in economics, each has thrived in diverse career paths shaped by their unique inter...

Have you ever wondered what it's like to attend graduate school virtually?  In this episode, David Ebube walks us through his routine as he juggles a career as a strategic communications consultant and a master's in Sustainable Development at the University of Sussex. David is passionate about advancing Africa's fashion economy. Having transitioned to media and Public relations, he...