At Centennial College, you’re surrounded by stories of student success, both simple and complicated. In the case of Oluwayomi Anastasia Dime, there’s a lot to unpack with her story. An international student, Oluwayomi was already a business owner in Nigeria. But she wanted more education, and came here to learn about the wider world of commerce through our Global Business Management program. And while here, her involvement in the community also earned her the Student of International Trade Award, from the Organization of Women in International Trade (OWIT). Here’s the story of how we helped a professional like her succeed even further, and what you can learn from it.
A background of business experience.
"I own a business with my husband," Oluwayomi explains. "We specialize in bespoke furniture, anything that has to do with production, and installation of kitchen, wardrobes, or office furniture. I was in charge of operations. So that is the factory, and dealing with departments in customer care, operations, installation and production." Despite all of this practical experience, and previous education in the form of a BSc in Economics, Oluwayomi still wanted more, to take her business to the next level.
"Pursuit of the postgraduate was always a goal for me," she says. "My father is a professor, my father-in-law is a professor, so we have a background of academia." And as for her choice to come all the way to Canada, and to Centennial College, it came down to one of her colleagues taking the program.
"I actually have a friend, she was a client of ours, she knew of my postgraduate pursuits," Oluwayomi says. "She had come to Canada to do Global Business Management. When she was done, she remembered what I wanted to do, and rang me up."
A new set of skills.
As of this writing, Oluwayomi is still a student, and looking forward to graduating in April. So, what can Global Business Management teach a professional like her? It turns out the program taught her things which she’s found immediately valuable for her business back home.
"The thing I love about GBM is that it gives you a broad idea," Oluwayomi says. "We're doing economics, we're doing international trade, we're doing contemporary human behavior, human resources, so it gives you a broad idea of what trade and business involves, because everything is key. What I have been able to do is translate most of the things I have learned into the business."
"It gives me a sense of how customers make decisions on products and services," she continues. "So I was able to use that in my work at home, I was able to do training with the managers, to let them understand we're not selling just products or services."
"I had an idea, but I really didn't know how to drill down to what the issues were," she adds. "And honestly, this is a clear example of what GBM brings to the table for me, to be able to use my understanding and apply it right in the workspace."
Becoming a part of the community.
Not content to just go to class, Oluwayomi decided to get involved with the local community, both outside the college, and in it, through volunteering at the Centennial chapter of Enactus, a global organization dedicated to social entrepreneurship.
"It really exposed me to volunteer work, and what you can do to be a part of sustainability," she says. "You find ways to provide an answer to certain challenges you find in the college, including about mental health, and collaboration, which is really relevant." She was only able to stay on for one project, due to her academic workload, but still recommends every student try out Enactus[CS1] .
"I will tell anyone, if they can, they should take part," she says. "There's a fulfillment of giving back, and it also allows you to understand where you are, and be a part of the community."
And beyond school, she’s gotten involved in the local business community.
"One of the things I did when I got into Canada was to try and see the opportunities that are available for business owners," she says. "So, I quickly joined a Durham Region group for Nigerians. In that group, they speak about different opportunities that are in Canada."
"The truth of the matter is, when you come here, most times, people feel alone," she says. "So, the ability to find places where you are welcomed, it is very key. The Durham group for Nigerians has really helped me to settle a lot."
Awarded for her efforts.
Oluwayomi’s community involvement would also help her to win an award, from the Organization of Women in International Trade (OWIT), a nonprofit dedicated to networking, and opening up opportunities for women in trade and business. Their Student of International Trade Award is given to a female student who’s demonstrated passion and commitment for a career in international trade. And if you can believe it, she almost didn’t apply!
"They always have a competition where you write essays," Oluwayomi explains. "The professor told us about it, she encouraged us to look at it. Honestly, I didn't. So, the second week, she brought it up again. And then somebody else said she put in her own essay, and they said, Oluwayomi, why have you not put in your essay? You have so much to talk about. You never can say, you might just win."
"I put in my best," she says. "That's something that I have learned. Our professors encourage whatever opportunity you get, put in your best. And so, I got an email, saying that I should attend, and that I was chosen as a finalist."
"When they called my name, it just showed me that I have something to say," she says about her win. "And I have a lot to give. I usually second guess myself. I don't know if what I'm going to say will make sense. But I know I have something to say. That award showed me that yes, I'm on the right track."
Advice for the ages.
"One thing I can say about Centennial is the richness of culture," she says. "It's amazing, right? I have been able to make incredible friends, I have come to realize that we're all coming from different places, but we all have the same desire. We all want the same thing."
"You need to be committed to the work, and you must be open to the opportunities," Oluwayomi says about what she’s learned from her schooling. "But then, it’s also about meeting people. It’s not just academic. You need to open yourself to experience new culture, meet people, and build a giving spirit, see where you can give in the school. You have the CCSAI, you have student affairs, you have the gym, you have sports - there's so much the school gives you to find your footing. So, find the one thing that is good for you. And just see how it goes."
By: Anthony Geremia