Alumni Profile – Mary Ojo
Mary completed a Bachelor's Degree in History, and is now Tech and Data Project Manager at TFL. In this Alumni Interview, she talks about how studying at Queen Mary helped her in her career to come, and how the diversity of the learning environment developed her professional skills.
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What are you doing now, and how did you get there from Queen Mary?
I manage Technology projects and programmes at Transport for London. I progressed through different roles and careers such as charity director, trainee midwife, project coordinator and associate project manager. I am now a chartered project and programme manager with over 10 years’ experience in project and programme management.
How has your degree helped you in your professional life?
My degrees at QMUL helped me develop communication, scheduling, writing and presentation skills. These key transferable skills prepared me for professional life. I also held leadership and management positions, where I acquired negotiation, stakeholder management, stakeholder engagement, team management, budget and financial management skills.
What skills, experiences or ways of thinking from your time at Queen Mary have stayed with you?
As president of the African and Caribbean society (2015-2016) I developed entrepreneurial skills which developed my interest in business and organisational culture. My role as Director, Trustee and Programme manager in the role of QMSU Vice President Education (2017-2018) established my business skills, which stay with me today.
QMUL is a global university. The leadership and business management skills I acquired were informed by a diverse student and professional population. Much of what I do now feels effortless, because I learned from and worked alongside world-class students and professionals, at a world-class university.
What advice would you give current students thinking about their future careers?
Don’t be afraid to pivot and develop new skills. The world is changing rapidly and your ability to maintain continuous professional development is essential. Do not be worried about success or achievement, it will come. Focus on learning and growing personally and professionally. Each role will lead to the next one. Lastly, take your health seriously, make it a priority. Eat well and exercise.
What is one favourite memory of your time at QMUL?
Directing, producing and writing Charisma (2016) is one of my favourite memories. I delivered several live productions as part of societies at QMUL, Charisma called me higher and required proficient project and programme management skills. I delivered the production during my tenure as African and Caribbean Society President. I developed and utilised strategic partnerships and relationships to finance and deliver the show.
It was a huge success, all the tickets sold out. Corporate partnerships allowed us to deliver a show of £250k for £30k. I am grateful to QMSU for the different funding opportunities and access to dance studios and rehearsal spaces. Additionally, the staff at the People’s Palace were incredible. It was a huge endeavour; their coordination and support were invaluable.
What was your favourite module and why?
Race, Resistance and Decolonisation: Empire and Global History in the 20th Century. I successfully completed this module during my Masters (2019). The British Empire and Decolonisation is my favourite period in Modern History. I especially enjoyed an assignment which required me to complete a primary source analysis of Patrice Lumumba’s Independence speech (June 30th, 1960). Nigeria my country of origin, would gain independence four months later.
It is difficult for those of us born in the latter half of the twentieth century to imagine living in a world where 90% of Africa was colonised. My grandparents grew up in that reality. Studying the module allowed me to see the more painful aspects of that history, while also observing the courage, ingenuity and progressiveness of humanity. I left that module surprised that colonisation occurred, and encouraged that it ended in a relatively short period of time.
What is one thing you wish you had known when you were a student?
I didn’t need to know everything, I could ask for help, and it is ok to rest. I’m an extroverted, people person, I enjoyed all the extra curricular activities I engaged in, but I really should have gone on more holidays. Life is to be enjoyed. Work and play need each other. I am doing better in that area, but I still need to go on more holidays.