Grad School Buddy

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 storytelling, the importance of making information accessible, and the fulfillment that comes from mission-driven work. 

She also offers advice to young professionals, encouraging them to stay curious, work hard, and stay committed to making an impact. Listen to Dani's story and discover how effective communication and storytelling drive global impact. 

Hosts: Ebelechukwu Monye and Chukwuebuka Amaji

Guest: Dani Clark

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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 emotional and professional challenges she faced while leaving academia, including redefining her identity outside of the academic world. She emphasizes the importance of networking, exploring options beyond academia, and perseverance in the face of adversity.

To support others through similar challenges, she founded AfterAcademia, where she helps academics break free from the constraints of academia and build fulfilling careers.

Tune in to hear Dr Ruba's story and learn how to make bold career moves and find fulfillment beyond academia.

Host: Ebelechukwu Monye

Co-host: Chukwuebuka Amaji

Guest: Dr. Ashley Ruba

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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 and faculty while maintaining a good academic performance. 

As an undergrad, inspired by his many multilingual mentors and a consistent zeal to learn and improve his life chances, he enrolled in French classes at the Alliance Francaise Enugu. This decision set things in motion for his move to France years later. 

Tune in to learn about Obinna’s experiences as a teaching assistant in French schools and colleges, how these experiences prepared him for his master's in digital humanities, his emerging interest in social robotics, and his ambitious plans to explore its psychological and political implications as part of his PhD research.

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Host: Ebelechukwu Monye
Co-host: Chukwuebuka Amaji
Guest: Obinna Nwabueze 

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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 prestigious NYU Tisch School of Arts, shares his insights about the application and acceptance process, as well as the value of graduate school in advancing careers of creatives.

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Host: Ebelechukwu Monye
Co-host: Chukwuebuka Amaji
Guest: Xorlali Plange 
Moderator: Ernest Nweke

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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 advice for potential and current policy experts. By addressing the information gap, it aims to make the path smoother for public policy professionals.

Creating an initiative like PCC does not happen by chance. Priya and Ruchika shared how the idea was born from the shared struggles of graduate school and the journey that followed. Tune in to learn why this duo is building the PCC community and how initiatives like theirs can help you enhance your career trajectory.

Host: Ebelechukwu Monye
Co-host: Chukwuebuka Amaji
Guests: Priya Alagarraj and Ruchika Bhatia

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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 interests and values. While Chuks and Kosy continue to further their careers in academia, with both currently in econ PhD programs, Conrad has chosen a different path, pursuing a master’s degree in public relations and strategic communications. 

This conversation showcases the power of individuality, demonstrating how people from similar backgrounds can go on to choose their own unique and individual paths in life. Tune in to listen to these classmates reminisce on their past and where life has taken them.

Hosts: Ebelechukwu Monye and Chukwuebuka Amaji  

Guests: Conrad Johnson, Chukwuma Nwoye and Kosiso Madu

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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 now channels his passion and expertise into the development and public policy sector. Some points in our discussion include insights on the program's comprehensiveness, the pros and cons of an online degree, and the benefits of a flexible program that offers opportunities for global connections.

Please tune in to learn how this Great Akokite is achieving his dreams of advancing his career, even with the commitments of his 9-to-5 on his journey to becoming a renowned voice in strategic communications. 

Host: Ebelechukwu Monye  

Co-host: Chukwuebuka Amaji  

Guest: David Ebube  

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Many people suffer from anxiety when starting something new, especially when in the company of equally good peers. This episode features Hope Eze, a humanities PhD student at the University of Alberta. Her research focuses on the literary depiction of food insecurity in Africa, particularly the possibility of achieving food sovereignty through sustainable agriculture.

Hope shares her PhD story and how it has shaped her as a whole person. The journey from master’s to PhD wasn’t a piece of cake, as she was faced with multiple challenges, including securing funding for her research, dealing with immigrant loneliness, and dealing with personal struggles. We discussed the obstacles in her journey and how she overcame them.

Don’t miss out as Hope shares her personal experiences, victories, and strategies that contributed to her academic success and beyond. Listen to this episode now to experience grad school life from another insightful perspective!

Host: Ebelechukwu Monye
Co-host: Chukwuebuka Amaji
Guest: Hope Eze

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Studying abroad can be challenging, especially when faced with language barriers. In this episode, Vincent Eke shares his remarkable journey from being a zealous undergraduate at Unilag to becoming a graduate student at Science Po in France. 

The key takeaway from this episode is the significance of preparing for life after undergraduate studies early on. Securing scholarships and funding can be highly competitive, and this episode emphasizes the importance of being intentional about one's goals from the early undergraduate years. He stresses the need to position oneself for opportunities, get involved in activities that make one stand out, and create a unique story that sells. 

Vincent's journey to studying in France as a non-French speaker was not without obstacles, but he learned to speak a new language and became bilingual. He shares his hurdles in securing a scholarship, including rejections, doubts, and stress. However, he emphasizes that good things can come with perseverance and hard work.

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Today, we're taking a trip down memory lane to the second half of our conversation with Dr. Allen and Dr. Lauren, the authors of PhDone and minds behind Dissertation Editors. 

This engaging conversation features the non-academic aspects of getting a PhD - impostor syndrome, unhealthy competition with one's classmates, work-life balance, lessons from clients who balanced their PhD with parenthood or full-time jobs, etc. 

Towards the end of the episode, the focus shifts to outcomes and graduate destinations for PhD students. Where can they work outside academia? What are some things they should be mindful of? Listen to learn more.

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