“What is most important here is to get a mentor, listen to the mentor, learn from the mentor and eventually mentor others yourself.” – Samuel Arawu
Tell us about yourself:
My name is Samuel Arawu. I completed a Master of Food Science degree as a Mastercard Foundation Program Scholar in 2019. I currently work as a senior scrum master for the BC Public Service and as a consultant for several organizations that use Agile Delivery. Prior to becoming a Mastercard Foundation Scholar, I completed a Bachelor’s Degree in Biochemistry from the Federal University of Technology, Owerri.
Journey After Graduation
I am grateful to Canada for being a land that encourages everyone to strive. After graduation, I worked as a food scientist before transitioning to business analysis and project management. One of my most important learning moments was knowing I did not need more education to succeed. I already knew enough. I leveraged a key resource called MENTORSHIP. The beauty of mentorship is that it allowed me access information ordinarily not available to the public. It reduced my mistakes as I had a clear pathway before embarking on my transition.
Career and Personal Growth Questions
Reflecting on your leadership journey thus far, what lessons have you learned that have been particularly impactful or transformative?
Here are the lessons I have learned:
- The importance of continuous learning and adapting to new technologies, as evidenced by my numerous certifications in various fields like project management, cloud computing, and cybersecurity.
- I value diverse methodologies, as I am proficient in Waterfall and Agile approaches.
- The critical nature of mentorship and relationship building.
- The significance of proactive problem-solving in my career journey.
Can you share a pivotal moment in your career journey after graduation and how it influenced your professional development and aspirations?
A significant shift in my career was my transition to working as an Agile Project Manager for the Canada Revenue Agency in 2021. This role expanded my responsibilities and exposed me to more complex cybersecurity, SaaS, and data warehousing projects. It also influenced my professional development by pushing me to acquire new skills and certifications in Azure, cybersecurity, and AI.
How have you pursued learning and personal growth outside the classroom since graduation, and how has this impacted your career trajectory?
Easy steps: I identified gaps in areas I was interested in and used certifications to achieve both a required designation and the learning needed, which has shifted my professional journey further than anticipated.
What life lessons have you learned since graduating that are essential for personal growth and success?
Here are the key things I have learned:
- The importance of adaptability in a rapidly changing technological landscape.
- The value of effective communication across diverse teams and stakeholders.
- The necessity of balancing technical skills with soft skills like leadership and relationship building.
- The benefits of continuous learning and professional development.
- The value of your spiritual connection with God (in my case, Jesus Christ).
How have you navigated the process of finding a career path that aligns with your passions and aspirations since graduating?
First, understanding what was important to me was key. I wanted to work remotely to do music, and Technology provided that. As soon as I identified that, I looked at my temperaments to see what fuels me and the skill set I already have (skill matrix).
Can you share about a meaningful mentorship experience you’ve had post-graduation and how it has influenced your professional growth and development?
Mentor Femi Folorunsho was Godsent because he showed me everything I needed. This platform is quick and small; however, what is most important here is to get a mentor, listen to the mentor, learn from the mentor and eventually mentor others yourself.
Key Takeaways for current Mastercard Foundation Scholars and Alumni
- Plan your career while you are a student.
- Do not stop learning.
- You are better off being around the company of like-minded people than being alone.
- You need an external force (God) to help you so establish your spiritual connection.
Samuel’s journey reminds us about the importance of leveraging mentorship to learn relationship building skills that comes from scholarships like the one provided by the Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program. His story is an inspiration to all students who aspire to be the key enablers of sustainable entrepreneurship and community-led development in the society.