Guest blog by Oladapo (Dapo) Faworaja
ACT 1 – Service to Self
I chose Booth because its flexible curriculum would allow me to tailor my academic experience to my background and its focus on leadership development through the LEAD program. Additionally, I was drawn to Chicago for its cosmopolitan and vibrant community. My journey to Booth began with significant self-reflection as I contemplated my long-term career goals. Achieving my ultimate objective of reaching senior leadership in a global and more strategic role required me to transition from my position as an engineering manager.
Corporate America offered numerous opportunities essential for achieving my career aspirations and provided a rich environment for technical specialists seeking to learn through the MBA to move into leadership positions.
Upon arriving at Booth, I gravitated towards joining the Corporate Management Group (CMG). This experience proved crucial in providing me with the necessary contacts, network, and resources to secure multiple internship offers with companies of my interest and location opportunities within the US. The recruiting season feels like a blur now, but it was one of the most exhilarating seasons in the autumn and winter terms during my first year at Booth. I received support from different alumni at the companies where I received internship offers and ultimately chose to intern at Honeywell Building Automation. I spent 12 weeks over the summer in Atlanta, where I could utilize the soft and hard skills I gained during my first year.
ACT 2 – Service to Others
Returning early from my internship to support first-year MBAs as a career advisor was an advantageous start to a year of giving back, reflecting all I had received from those who came before me. When I first applied for the CMG co-chair position, I knew I wanted to take on the CMG Symposium because I had such a great experience attending the event last year. It allowed me to connect with companies, learn about their cultures, and hear their perspectives on key issues across different industries. During my internship, I began laying the groundwork for the CMG group’s annual flagship event, the symposium. Along with my fellow co-chairs, I worked diligently to reach out to many organizations interested in connecting with the Booth community and sponsoring our club.
The logistics of securing the venue and catering for the symposium often kept me awake at night, but knowing that I had a resourceful support system in my fellow co-chairs allowed us to deliver a successful event. The feedback from the sponsor representatives and students was the motivation I needed for my upcoming service year. The input from sponsors attending the event helped solidify one of the reasons I decided to apply to be a co-chair: to increase the visibility of booth talent to roles outside of the traditional named pathways and increase the representation of international students in corporate management of American-based organisations. Being a co-chair was another primary reason I embarked on this journey. It allowed me to serve others while developing my leadership skills.
ACT 3 – Service to Self and Others, aka social entertainments
I went to Japan during spring break with many Boothies, and that experience is a topic for another post as it was life-changing. This trip created one of the most significant community bonds for me, allowing me to experience a new continent with my classmates and alumni, bond to a new culture, and carry on the memories from this trip.
The Japan trip exposed me to more cultural experiences and social activities at Booth. Also, I actively showcased the rich food and culture of Africa with the Booth Africa group. I hosted several activities in my membership capacity to unite the group’s members and other Boothies to explore different African cultures.
Life at Booth is incredible. Between balancing classes, networking, and exploring everything this city offers, finding time for everything is challenging.
