I was reflecting some days ago and I thought about the work experiences I have had in the past both formal and informal and I am so proud of myself.
2024
I was accepted into the London Business School Launchpad Pre-Accelerator Program and Western Union Foundation Fellowship to build the Skill2Rural.Org EdTech Platform, which aims to help 1 million displaced and underserved young people in Africa develop the life and 21st-century skills needed for the workforce and the future of work. The platform was launched and, in just about a month, had over 200 users.[e]
2024
I left Refugee Education UK to start a new role with the Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program at the University of Edinburgh as a Transitions Coordinator, where I support African scholars in transitioning into dignified and meaningful jobs, whether in Africa or Europe. In my first three months in the role, I created about seven programs to help scholars find confidence in their transitions.
2023
I was promoted to Senior Mentoring Coordinator at Refugee Education UK, participated in multiple fundraising events, shared our work leveraging my storytelling, and took on ambassadorial duties. I also wrote and presented a paper at the UKFIET Conference at the University of Oxford, titled “My Foundation Starts Here: What Does Foundational Learning Mean for Young Refugees and Asylum Seekers in the UK.” The paper was also published by NORRAG, which has over 5,000 readers, and featured by UNESCO and UKFIET.
2022
I engaged in a short term contract to prepare and record a lecture on Communication for Development to MSc Global Development students at The Open University in the UK.
2022
I also worked as a Research Assistant with the MasterCard Foundation at The University of Edinburgh. I worked on the “Identity in Transition”project. A project that explores how African-International Students transition into Europe and North American Institutions. I co-created a paper presentation that was presented at the University of Edinburgh Teaching and Learning Conference. I also worked in synthesizing key data collected through the project and co-design, co-develop a mentoring toolkit, case studies and photo book as part of the output for the project.
2022
I worked with the British Red Cross as a Young Refugee Project Coordinator where I coordinated the Refugees and Befriending (RnB) Programme in Hammersmith, West London. I develop and deliver weekly life skills session programmes to at least 10 – 15 young refugees and asylum seekers every week for 9 months, plan summer and Holiday trips to enable them to integrate into life in the UK. Engaged in the delivery of partnership with the English Football League (EFL) to enable the young refugees and asylum seekers we work with to connect through football. Manage weekly budget and resources and so much more that the roles require.
2021
I joined Refugee Education UK as the Educational Mentoring Coordinator for West London and connected young refugees and asylum seekers to mentors for educational support. I spent about 1440 hours supporting mentors and young refugees to help at least 17 mentors contribute 884 combined hours to provide educational supports for young refugees and asylum seekers. From West London, I also took the responsibility of overseeing East London. I am still learning on this role, growing, leading partnerships and conducting outreaches.
2021
I developed, prepared and recorded a 1 hour 30 minutes open courseware on the Sustainable Development Goals with LEAP Africa. Teaching young people how they can understand their roles in advancing the SDGs (https://learn.leapafrica.org/marlt)
The same period, I also did the same with Impact Toolbox, where I facilitated and recorded a courseware on “Storytelling for Social Change
2021
I joined Peace First as a Board Member. Supported the review of the programmes and offered key insights into CEO Transitions. Peace First has supported over 12,000 projects created by young people to create social change. Over 30,000 young people have joined the community and about 1.7 million people have been impacted through the projects created.
2021
I also joined a student charity in Edinburgh, SolidariTee Alumni and help with sales and marketing of T.shirts to fundraise and enable refugees to have access to legal representation in Europe
2021
I also worked as a Placement-Based Dissertation Researcher with the MasterCard Foundation -FFA project, I supported Monitoring and Evaluation of the project. I reviewed surveys and literature, supported the collection of data, used tools such as NVIVO to synthesize and analyze the qualitative components and excel to analyze the quantitative components. I created presentations to communicate key findings. Came up with a 7 points agenda. More so, I developed a system to track all the data and also wrote my Masters Dissertation/Thesis through the data and experience.
2021
I worked as an intern with the MasterCard Foundation-Foundation for All project (FFA) to co-create a mentoring programme for refugees in Uganda. I ended up co-leading the programme and connecting 40 MasterCard Foundation scholars from 3 learning institutions (University of Edinburgh, Makerere University and American University of Beirut) to support 40 young refugees in Uganda
2020
I joined the Mastercard Foundation Scholarship Programme Communications team as a Communications Representative. During my time, I co-coordinated a storytelling session. Curated contents and stories to be posted on our social media and other blogs within the University. Led the creation of a storytelling toolkit and created the storybank for scholars to submit their stories. Contributed to the team communications strategy and co-organized the international women’s day Twitter Chat.
2019
I worked as a Regional Manager with Peace First for Sub-Saharan Africa. I was the first African Staff for the organization and led the growth of the region that supported over 1500 young people in more than 30 + countries in Sub-Saharan Africa to address injustice in their communities. Gave out over $45000+ in grants and put money directly into the hands of young people to create social change. Created the Fraud detection policy for the organization and led the first community hangout in the region/thematic events that brings young people together to address an injustice in their community
2019
I acted as the Focal Point: Supervisor for the Nigerian Youth SDGs Network where I led the youth dialogue and consultation on the SDGs in Lagos and Ondo State. I managed event coordination, logistics, and planning for the consultation.
2017
I volunteered with the Sozo Networks and helped with volunteer management for the “Before I turn 18” programme in Ajegunle. I went on to become the volunteer manager, supporting the personal development of volunteers. I also act as one of the Program managers for the first Youth-in-Development Bootcamp and co-coordinated the Bootcamp in Lagos. I wrote proposals and letters in securing venue, reviewed applications, develop baseline surveys and interviewed participants to join the Youth in Development fellowship programme.
2018
I co-founded an agri-tech company Farmignite. In charge of Human Resources and Customers Relation. Led the recruitment of talents and supporting positive customer relationships. Supported the organization to win its first seed grant €5000 from CTA.
2018
I joined the Carrington Fellowship. Co-founded Teaching Edge through a seed funding of $5000 from the US Mission and supported 240 teachers in low-income private schools in Agege, Lagos with contemporary pedagogies and innovative teaching methodologies with an indirect impact of 1280 students.
2018
I worked as a Sustainable Development Partner and SDGs Youth Champion. Trained on social research and collected data through surveys and focus group discussions across 3 different regions and engaged 600 ordinary citizens to monitor the sustainable development goals in Nigeria.
2018
I volunteered as a mentor with The Diana Award and helped my mentee in two years with Academic Writing. They also got admitted into the University of West Scotland and now graduated. During these moments, I became a judge and even, international judge to review nominations and coordinate the initial selection process to be put forward to the Award team.
2017
I founded a non-profit, Kayode Alabi Leadership and Career Initiative- KLCI. Took the initiative from a local based charity to a national one driving educational change in Nigeria. Grew volunteer base from 3 to 100. Created 4 programmes/projects that has impacted 8500+ young people in at least 11 states in[d] Nigeria to develop life and 21st century skills and creating pipelines for sustainability. Spearheaded and led the creation of the digital learning resources for students in rural communities to develop life skills during Covid-19 and further.
2017
I worked as a cashier in a Factory that produces Palm Kernel Oil and was in charge of keeping all the financial inventory and records of thousands and millions of Naira. I also doubled as a factory worker there which means I help with manual labour at times. I later worked as the manager of the factory at some point and manage operators and storekeepers. I quitted to focus on my non-profit and development work.
2016
I started freelance writing, launched Kayfactor Inspires, a leadership and storytelling blog, published over 190 articles and generated over 250,000 views.
2016
I volunteered with The Graciella Initiative, supported the running of a girl child conference. Served as a content creator and went on to be the Vice President.
2016
I worked with the Independent National Elections Commission (INEC) in two capacities. I worked as a Continuous Voters Registration Officer and also working as the Presiding Officer for the 2016 Edo State Gubernatorial elections, managing two polling units and 5 assistant presiding officers.
2015
I went for my National Youth Service. Posted to a school in a village in Nigeria and taught for a whole year. Wrote a project proposal with a budget of over 250,000 Naira. Managed human and material resources and executed 6 community development service project whilst working as a full time teacher cover two subjects across three different classes.
2015
I published a research paper on sports injuries and career prospects.
2014
I did a 6 weeks teaching practice in a secondary school and I taught Biology and Basic Science.
2013
I joined the Nigerian Red Cross, University of Ilorin Detatchment. I volunteered to perform emergency response services at University events and rose to become the Deputy Commandant in 2014 up until 2015.
2011
I got admitted into the University of Ilorin, Ilorin, Nigeria and for four years until 2015, facilitated free tutorials. Developed my public speaking skills during these days.
2011
I worked as a KYC agent (Sim Card registrar) with Airtel Nigeria registering SIM cards. I captured about 6000 entries. Meaning I had to engage 6000 people. I also worked with Nigerian Communications Commission to capture data of sim registrants.
2009
I at the age of 15, I taught in a basic education school in Igbogbo Ikorodu. I was teaching Nursery 1. I wrote my first application letter (called cover letter now and submitted my first CV)
2008/2009
I volunteered to teach my junior colleagues in secondary school accounting.
2006
I during my Junior Secondary School holiday and after completing a 3 months computer training. I volunteered in a business centre to help with typewriting and other desktop publishing tasks. I wrote my first CV during this period and I was just 12 years old at the time.
I have facilitated and delivered over a 100 sessions on leadership, sustainable development, personal development, storytelling, academic excellence, career development etc. I have been on more than 15 panel sessions. I also carry with me 16 years of networking experience and working with people in 2 different continents and countries. Worked and Published three books in the space of 4 years. 14 years of active citizenship and volunteering experience working with more than 25 organizations. In fact, there are some volunteering experiences that could not make it here because it was just too much. I even forgot that I am a World Economic Forum Global Shaper where I worked on a reforestation and tree plantation project. I most times struggle fitting all of this even in my CV or cover letter that I just pick the relevant ones.