Instagram has returned invalid data.
Monthly Archives

April 2017

Dare to Dream, The Interview Series,

The Interview Series: Ellen Ngohide Ukpi

What do you currently do as a job?
Currently a freelancer for social media services/ Media Strategist at TMB
As a child what did you want to be when you grew up?
LOL I wanted to be so many things I lost count! I was smart so I thought medicine will be the way, then I could speak and didn’t mind reading so I thought Law was the way, I was good at literature and my lecturer thought I will make a fine journalist. At some point I wanted to study glass technology. Truth is I have never had one lasting passion
Did primary school and secondary school shape your ideas about your dream job?
Hmmm in a way they did, I mean I was taught if I get good grades I will get juicy jobs and if I work at it I will grow through the ranks and live happily ever after. It also made some professions look much better than others making some professions the most clamoured after. So it shaped what a dream job was supposed to be, prestigious, recognized with a lot of money
At what point in time did you change your mind about that dream job?
I went into Uni to study a course I wasn’t particular knowledgeable about. I picked the course cause 1. The name sounded different and 2. I heard I didn’t have to do maths. Looking back now I realize I should have had some proper counselling before taking this course. Safe to assume I went through 4 years studying what I wasn’t excited about.
Why did you study what you studied in university? If you have a do over will you study the same course?
I already explained why I studied what I did. If I have a do over no I would not study the same thing I studied.
How did the ‘’reality of adulthood’’ affect your dreams?
Mennnnnn It was brutal! Lol this life isn’t a joke! It doesn’t play by any rules really. Its like you go in and figure it out as you go and this works differently for different people. I mean I still dream I never lost that ability but my dreams change now and then and am fine with that
Do you believe your dreams are still within your reach?
Yes totally I do. Except the one where I played international basketball lol that one is gone. Anyway I wanted it for fame and money so yeah was never going to work I guess
Are you fulfilled with your life? If “Yes”, how? If “No” why?
Yes I am, am happy with the person I am, the progress in my growth and the person I look forward to being. I don’t stop living in wonder of my abilities and me. Its amazing the different things we can do if only we try. So my how is trying; I don’t stop trying and am open to different opportunities
What are your hobbies? And does your current line of work give you time for them?
My hobbies are listening to music, reading and watching movies and I make time to do all these! Lol even in the midst of work when a girl has to listen to her jam she goes right ahead! I read to sleep or watch a movie (Bad habit) but yes I have time for my hobbies. I love to explore and travel and I still do that every now and then not as often because it costs money but not yet because I don’t have the time
Do you have any regrets? If “Yes”, what are they?
Nope regret is such a strong word. Every bad experience has taught me something positive so I love my mistakes flaws and all
Will you look back in the next ten years and be happy with how your decisions today have shaped your future?
Am hoping I will be. But if am not I will remember how happy I am currently and that should be enough

Do you have any fears for the future? If “Yes”, what are they?
Fears… another strong word but I fear ‘mediocre’ looking back and seeing that I performed below my abilities all my life ouch! That will hurt major! Especially if being mediocre means I remain broke! Ahhh we cant be broke forever!
Dare to Dream, The Interview Series,

The Interview Series: Okosun Anthony


What do you currently do as a job?
Technical Sales Lead {however my true scope of work covers everything from accounting to procurement, admin, logistics etc.}
As a child what did you want to be when you grew up?
Scientist with my white lab coat, mixing chemicals in beakers and conical flasks. {Dexter inspired}. Subsequently I became obsessed with Petroleum Engineering and its exploration.
Did primary school and secondary school shape your ideas about your dream job?
Not so much. Books from my father library shaped my idea about a dream job, it is still surprising why lawyer dad had petroleum books.
At what point in time did you change your mind about that dream job?
Last year in Secondary School. Had a talk with my dad and he pointing out the over specialization of a first degree in Petroleum engineering, so I decided on chemical engineering and I walked into a new world. {Dexter meets real life=chemical engineering}
Why did you study what you studied in university? If you have a do over will you study the same course?
Chemical Engineering offered my multiple doors to various industries without being out rightly specialized. I would study it again. I would like to skip the first 2 years.
How did the ‘’reality of adulthood’’ affect your dreams?
All isn’t as it seems in books and the mind of a child, my dreams have evolved with experiences and with the wisdom of adulthood.
Are you fulfilled with your life? If “Yes”, how? If “No” why?
Yes and No. It is a journey and I am where I need to be per time. But I don’t wish to be stuck in one stage of the journey so I press on wards to the next stage of the process daily.
What are your hobbies? And does your current line of work give you time for them?
Drawing, programming, baking and cooking. No my current line of work doesn’t give me much time to fully explore them.
Do you have any regrets? If “Yes”, what are they?
Yes I do. Not taking my first 2 years of university seriously.
Will you look back in the next ten years and be happy with how your decisions today have shaped your future?
Yes I expect so. Because I make the decisions of today with midterm and long term goals in mind.
Do you have any fears for the future? If “Yes”, what are they?

Stuck in a great rewarding job that robs me of family time.

Dare to Dream, The Interview Series,

The Interview Series: Okorie Emmanuel


What do you currently do as a job?
I am a Freelance Content Developer, Education Enthusiast
As a child what did you want to be when you grew up?
I’ve always wanted to be a great philanthropist. One day as I was going to school when I was very young, my parents gave me one pencil to take to school and I said I wasn’t going until I had two, Why? Because someone else might not have in class
I also wanted to be a Medical Doctor
Did primary school and secondary school shape your ideas about your dream job?
Not fully, I just knew I wanted to help people get better because I am kind of a people development person. I’m not following my dream of becoming a doctor any more
At what point in time did you change your mind about that dream job?
It changed in my 2nd year of Medical School (2010). I had another change of mind again after my final year (2015). I then finally decided to follow through with being a Life Coach, so I am in that process now.
Why did you study what you studied in university? If you have a do over will you study the same course?
I studied Computer Science. No, I won’t study the same course; I would study Psychology instead
How did the ‘’reality of adulthood’’ affect your dreams?
You know that moment when it’s like almost like most of your decisions are based on alternatives thrown before you by your parents. When I realised that I was going to run a family and become independent, I guess I began to learn to make decisions on my own since my life is to be driven by my actions.
Do you believe your dreams are still within your reach?
Yea, for my dreams of being a sought after speaker on Human Capacity Development and Counselling, its very possible.
Are you fulfilled with your life? If “Yes”, how? If “No” why?
Yes, at every stage I get fulfilled at the full execution of a task. So as I progress new targets are set. So to me, it’s progressive.
What are your hobbies? And does your current line of work give you time for them?
Writing, Reading, Making new friends and Speaking. Yes it does
Do you have any regrets? If “Yes”, what are they?
My major regret in times of Career was the fact that I never had a Career Counsellor to have guided me well. Else I won’t have spent 4 years doing the wrong thing.
Will you look back in the next ten years and be happy with how your decisions today have shaped your future?
Yes of course because I’m really intentional about my choices and with God involved, I’m certain it’s a glorious future.
Do you have any fears for the future? If “Yes”, what are they?

I used to have fears about marriage and its responsibilities but with time I am having a structural adjustment.
Dare to Dream, The Interview Series,

The Interview Series: Fatona Oluwatobi

What do you currently do as a job?
I am a Student
As a child what did you want to be when you grew up?
Honestly I wasn’t sure. I kept saying ‘doctor’ maybe because my friends were saying it too. But I always had a flare for writing and making my own story books, making dresses for my dolls and drawing.
Did primary school and secondary school shape your ideas about your dream job?
Not really. It just made me realise I need to do something that must do with maths, economics and commerce because I loved those subjects.
At what point in time did you change your mind about that dream job?
Honestly, it keeps changing most times that I have lost count. Maybe because my life keeps unfolding in different phases. But i added another one to my life which is to live a life that adds value to the life of others and become a role model that inspires others to do great things. This will give me so much joy.
Why did you study what you studied in university? If you have a do over will you study the same course?
It was a combination of all the subjects i love and my passion grew from time to time
Yes I would and might do an additional course in fashion designing.
How did the ‘’reality of adulthood’’ affect your dreams?
The reality of university and having a good job with quality certificates indirectly made me put aside and question  my love for art, writing my story books and making dresses. However, I can go back to that if I put my mind to it. My aim of making a positive impact and inspiring others is always intact.
Do you believe your dreams are still within your reach?
Yes. Nothing is impossible. With the right mindset, thoughts and faith in God. You become unstoppable. Sometimes it looks like you don’t know who you are or where you are going. But the beauty about life and our dreams is that in unfolds in phases as you keep taking steps and actions
Are you fulfilled with your life? If “Yes”, how? If “No” why?
Yes I am. I realised that I am joyous and grateful most times as God has helped me achieve great things beyond my imagination and bringing me this far. However, I need to keep moving forward and I have decided to enjoy the process and the journey which has helped me to know more things about my strength and weaknesses. I have made that decisions that no matter how my life is, I choose joy and happiness.
What are your hobbies? And does your current line of work give you time for them?
I discovered recently I enjoy smiling and meeting people. My last work experience gave me the opportunity to do more of that as I attend to clients every day.
Do you have any regrets? If “Yes”, what are they?
Nope.
Will you look back in the next ten years and be happy with how your decisions today have shaped your future?
Yes I would.
Do you have any fears for the future? If “Yes”, what are they?
My greatest fear is NOT achieving the purpose which I was made for. That’s why I try as much as possible to make discoveries and run with it.
Dare to Dream, The Interview Series,

The Interview Series: Oloruntoyin Moyosore


What do you currently do as a job?
I am a Freelance Writer.
As a child what did you want to be when you grew up?
This is a big one. I was a precocious child, so inevitably I wanted to be many things. Pilot. Astronaut. Orator. Spy. You name it. As I grew older my desires streamlined. And it was all thanks to Sir David Attenborough. As a kid I looked forward to cartoons on a particular local TV station by 3:30pm. Usually before the cartoons they’d air a documentary, which most times was BBC’s Earth series. It was then I first met and loved Sir David Attenborough, he anchored and narrated the documentaries. Already in his late 70s by then, he traveled round the globe talking about life on the planet, revealing the habits of little known flora and fauna. It was only a matter of time before I was more interested in the documentaries than the cartoons. So yeah I wanted to be Sir David Attenborough.
Did primary school and secondary school shape your ideas about your dream job?
Definitely. School offered a means to become like my idol. I enjoyed learning new things and school on its best day provided that. Also school piqued my interest in writing, provided a means of channeling my hyperimagination. I might not be able to become a space surfing spy in the real world but I could pen down my unrealistic ambitions. School helped to temper my dreams, define them, making them achievable and showing possible paths to bringing them true.
At what point in time did you change your mind about that dream job?
Who says I’ve changed my mind? *chuckles* I want it all. Dream job. Dream girl.  Dream car. Dream gbogbo e.
Why did you study what you studied in university? If you have a do over will you study the same course?
Well. Well. Well. I applied for Medicine because it seemed the logical choice for me because I was and still am really great at biology. Till the Nigerian educational system came in and handed Human Anatomy. I don’t think I’d do it different if I could have a do over.  It was a very important experience for me. Also, I don’t dwell on things I can not change, it’s no use.
How did the ‘’reality of adulthood’’ affect your dreams?
Lolita Bonita. Perhaps I’m yet to experience this ‘reality of adulthood’. My dreams remain unaffected.
Do you believe your dreams are still within your reach?
Definitely Yes.
Are you fulfilled with your life? If “Yes”, how? If “No” why?
Yes. Humans tend to worry too much, a lot of our unfulfillment comes from pondering over past deeds and future consequences. What’s done is done. I’ve learnt to cast ALL my cares upon God 1Peter 5:7 (You should check this out in the Amplified Version). In essence I’m care free. Yes, right now I’m fulfilled, I had a good day. Learnt a lot. I should have done better though. I’ll do so tomorrow.
What are your hobbies? And does your current line of work give you time for them?
Reading. Eating, Listening to music. Writing. Yes it does.
Do you have any regrets? If “Yes”, what are they?
No. Not really. I try to live without regrets.
Will you look back in the next ten years and be happy with how your decisions today have shaped your future?
I hope so.

Do you have any fears for the future? If “Yes”, what are they?
My answers must seem so annoying. As though I have it all together. I don’t. God does. I trust Him. So therefore I have no fears, only faith.