They say ‘opportunity comes but once’ however in my case, I have enjoyed two amazing years as a sabbatical officer! Gently reminiscing on my journey now feels surreal, just like a movie. Each time I reflect on my days as the Postgraduate Officer and all the incredible successes I enjoyed, it comes with a stark realisation that nothing can be compared to the challenge and great lessons learned this year as President - shout out to MISS RONA.
I can go on and on about my ‘presidential wins’ this year but I would rather share some of my experiences and lessons learned - in the hopes that you feel inspired. The first lesson is that opportunities are everywhere and you just have to be willing to identify them. Secondly, if you think you know yourself, think again. Thirdly, honesty and kindness is the best gift you can ever give yourself.
I have always been one to take advantage of opportunities only when necessary, and like many people I would hardly go the extra mile in seeking them, but this changed when I started studying at UoB. Being in a new country and meeting new people encouraged me to do things differently and expand my knowledge base - I was in the international league now and felt the need to bring value to the table. From taking advantage of Careers Network support offers, to volunteering at a local charity, joining societies, and running in the Guild Officer Elections, I can now boast of an attractive skill set that will help to set me apart in the world of work. The added value has become more evident now that I am actively searching for jobs. All those opportunities have gifted me a lot of transferable skills and for that reason, I urge you to always seek to grow - however insignificant the opportunity may seem.
Understanding myself has always been a personal goal. I thought, when I first left the shores of my country at 24 years old, that I knew myself. However, meeting people from different continents and working with colleagues from diverse backgrounds taught me more about myself. For example, I seemed to have unlocked a whole new level of flexibility within me. I also didn't realise how impatient I was until I mastered the art of mindfulness and patience. Above all, my emotional intelligence developed incredibly. Looking back now, I knew little about myself and I am constantly unlocking exciting traits. My advice to anyone reading this is - do not be scared when you get faced with a personality trait that you don’t recognise because as human beings, we will always continue to evolve and your acceptance and openness to that fact will help you grow tremendously.
My final lesson this year has been self-love and kindness. Anyone who knows me would know that I can be a bit hard on myself sometimes because I find it difficult to acknowledge my wins and efforts in most circumstances. But thanks to my amazing colleagues and friends, I see things in a different light now. Nowadays, I endeavour to define what success means to me before embarking on any projects so that once I reach my goal, I give myself a pat on the back and treat myself to a nice meal as Amie always suggests. Nevertheless, I give room for acceptance in case my targets are not met. My opinion is that life is already challenging enough, so there is no need to make it twice as difficult by beating yourself up.
All these lessons have shaped the 27 year old woman that I am today and I will always be grateful to the Guild for the invaluable memories, skills and experiences gained during my time as Postgraduate Officer and indeed as President. I have had the privilege to represent super talented and amazing students at Birmingham and I have loved every challenging moment of it! I have worked with great colleagues across the students’ union, University and national HE space where I have forged some really strong networks that will always be of great value to me. It is with overwhelming gratitude that I say, ‘thank you and goodbye’ to my Guild family!
Please feel free to stay in touch via LinkedIn.
Lots of Love!
Tobiloba Maryam Adeyemi
Guild President (2020/2021)