Thread by @DrOlubamiji

So, I got admitted into the UofS for a PhD in biomedical engineering with focus on synchrotron X-ray imaging and biomechanics in 2012. This was at the start of the 4th Industrial Revolution (began in 2011). And 9 months into the PhD program, I evaluated and couldn’t fit my

biomechanics major into any of the Industry 4.0 technologies & synchrotron x-rays seem to be a technology for the distant future. I was so worried and started looking at what else I could do (based on my background) that fits into any of the 140 technology swimlanes.

Then, I found 3D-printing and with my background in physics, I was vast in Material Science and took a minor in this during my MSc. So, I decided to approach the head of #3Dprinting lab at the UofS in an email with all my transcripts and detailed out my value. He said yes but you

won’t be funded for 3 months (evaluation period) and this is contingent upon my current supervisor supporting the move. Well, my current supervisor then cancelled my funding and gave a fight. I left to join the 3D-printing lab with no funding for 3 months! This was the lowest

point of my PhD. The funding was reinstated as agreed, it was 30% smaller than my initial one. I picked up a job at Sephora as a sales girl to augment. But every day in that 3Dprinting lab, I planned this future! I strategically obtained all the tools I needed to work in the

industry while also doing my lab work. I took 8 classes instead of 2 recommended for PhD students. I networked, I travelled to the US and across Canada to job fairs to understand the market needs. In the end, I applied to 3000 jobs in the last 3 months of my PhD. I got my first

job and it was an entry level job 😁👏🏾. I made it into the #3Dprinting industry.

What if I didn’t decide to drop the previous focus of my PhD (comfort zone)? What if I didn’t evaluate what I would do post-PhD 6 months in?

When to evaluate your long term goals is not when you are 2 months away from it. What are the What are you doing now to guarantee the future you want? What are the 3 things you need to change this second quarter to get to where you want to be by the end of the year?

It’s the end of the Quarter, are you evaluating?

On #TheMakingOfAModernDayDeborah, Deborah was a tough negotiator and a warrior. I got that from her 😃. How are you negotiating and strategically fighting for your future? Do you know what you need to get to where you want to be?