Since I was 8, I have worked as the head of marketing in my parents' bakery. I was the youngest and most knowledgeable about technology, so I was responsible for all forms of online communication, from creating flyers to increasing visibility on our social media platforms. Working with my parents introduced me to marketing and showed me its impact. They taught me that marketing isn't just about trying to sell a product; it's also about genuinely communicating values, building relationships, and forming meaningful connections. Although it was a small team consisting of my parents, myself, and two others, I gained enough experience to realize that marketing is something I want to pursue long-term. Marketing surrounds us. Almost every human experience has been commercialized and marketed, often without us realizing it. What motivates me most about pursuing a career in marketing is the opportunity to ensure that the right stories are being told, especially in underserved markets and communities that often lack diverse representation. Too often, we see marketing campaigns that perpetuate harmful stereotypes, spread misinformation, or prioritize profit over people. For example, in some developing countries, baby formula has been marketed in ways that discourage breastfeeding, which has tragically contributed to higher infant mortality rates. Beyond the social responsibility aspect, marketing appeals to me because it offers a creative outlet. Marketing requires innovative thinking, artistic vision, and the skill to turn complex ideas into engaging, easy-to-understand messages. Each campaign is like a unique puzzle. There are countless ways to approach marketing, so you never get bored; you'll always be experimenting and learning. This solidified my decision to pursue a marketing career. In marketing, there is no beginning or end. There are countless ways to promote a product or idea. You can also combine marketing with any field. At its core, most products or services are created for profit, and they need to be advertised or marketed so people can learn about them. I have had the opportunity to meet marketing professionals in various roles, primarily in the technology industry, and they have inspired me to be more intentional about my career goals. As a result, I plan to start a marketing club on campus. I want to spend my life doing something fulfilling and that makes me happy. I am proud of every project I have worked on, especially when it becomes a part of people's daily lives. I want the rest of my life to feel this way, so going to work each day doesn't seem like a chore. When I think about working in marketing, it makes the eight-year-old girl in me proud, knowing how far I’ve come. Not only will I be applying the lessons I learned from my parents on a larger scale, but I will also be pursuing something that has always been a life goal of mine—helping people feel seen. There is a whole demographic that is often overlooked during production because they are considered unimportant and not profitable. I, however, want to ensure that before decisions are made, the potential effects on others are considered, whether or not they can speak for themselves.

Growing up relatively smart, I was mostly happy because I did not have to worry about many things. My family is modest; we are four kids plus my parents, and we almost always had at least one other family member living with us. I was born in what many would consider a slum in Amukoko, Lagos, Nigeria, but my parents ensured it never affected our upbringing. Despite not attending university, they believed firmly in education's transformative power so attending university was not negotiable. I got into the University of Lagos which made me the first girl to go to university in my extended family. I started classes, and everything was going well until we were dismissed because the school was going on strike until the federal government met their demands. I was home for about three months and because of this, my dad made inquiries about studying abroad from a neighbor and he registered me for the necessary exams. I started preparing rigorously because the exam was expensive and I knew I had just one chance. The neighbor also guided my dad in the application process. I applied to several schools and got accepted into almost all of them. However, I went with Talladega College because I got a scholarship, although it did not cover my full tuition I still had less to pay compared to the other school. It seemed unreal; I was going to the United States for school. Being in the States has been harder than I thought it would be. One of the challenges I had to overcome was loneliness. After the first two weeks of being in the States, I started to miss my family and friends. I used to cry myself to sleep every day because I felt different from the people around me. I soon realized that this was my reality, and I had to find something to distract me. I started interacting with people more and discovered the African Student Association, which helped me find a community and combat loneliness. I found people with whom I had a lot in common. They also helped me settle down and assisted me with any questions I had regarding the school or how things worked. We went to places together and shared opportunities. While I still feel lonely sometimes, I have come to accept that it is a normal human feeling. One person who has been very inspirational to me since I got here is Thuba Nkiwane. She is a student at my school from Zimbabwe. She graduated last semester, and although I have known her for just one school year, she showed me that anything is possible. It does not matter where you are from or the type of school you attend, you can always find a way to make things work for you. She has interned at big corporations. She is also a youth activist and has spoken at places like the UN SDG. She is currently in graduate school on a full scholarship and continues to do many inspiring things. After graduating from college, I want to go to grad school. I do not have any specific school in mind right now, but I aim to attend an Ivy League school in the north. I feel that an Ivy League will be more competitive, which will help me grow. It will also offer more amenities and opportunities that smaller schools do not have. I want to study in the north because currently, I attend school in Alabama, and I want to explore other parts of the country.