Sijuola Wahab, ASU Carey MBA Class of 2025
Age: 30
Hometown: Igbokoda, Nigeria.
Undergraduate Institution and Major: Urban Planning; Obafemi Awolowo University, Nigeria
Pre-MBA Work Experience (role, company, years): 7 years, 5 years in financial institutions; 2 years across urban development and non-profit organizations.
Why did you make the decision to attend business school? Why now?
One of my favorite pre-MBA positions was as a retail banking partnerships manager at a reputable Nigerian bank. This role allowed me to interact with top executives from various sectors, and I realized the importance of developing executive communication skills to facilitate better conversations and provide more impactful recommendations. Moreover, my banking career provided me with valuable experience in strategic areas such as identifying customer insights and incorporating them into product development, refinement, and customer retention. These qualities are indicative of purposeful organizations, and I believe that pursuing an MBA would enable me to learn more about them.
Ultimately, attending business school at this time would allow me to gain a broader perspective on global society, connect my pre-MBA experiences with my business school education, and prepare me for transformative leadership.
Why did you choose the ASU Carey School of Business? What factors figured most prominently into your decision of where to attend?
I chose the W.P. Carey School of Business at Arizona State University for two reasons: the W.P. Carey’s “Business is Personal” philosophy and ASU’s Charter, the school’s pride in an inclusive society. Through my interactions with some of the alumni and students, I observed that they embody both the philosophy and charter in their lives. Additionally, the school is known for its excellence in quantitative courses and is one of the few US business schools with all Full-Time MBA concentrations having Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) designations. I believed that this would equip me with stronger critical thinking and analytical abilities. The curriculum is designed to encourage analytical thinking, collaboration, and synergistic leadership, which were all qualities I was seeking in a business school. Based on ASU’s charter and W.P. Carey’s ethos, I was confident that I would enjoy studying here. The joy of having adequate sunshine for more than 300 days a year in the USA was a plus, too, thanks to the lovely Arizona weather.
What do you think is your most valuable or differentiating contribution to the Class of 2025?
I take pleasure in expressing my intentionality in relationships, hence, when interacting with my peers, I enjoy identifying their strengths and bringing them to light. It’s gratifying to see their happiness when I acknowledge and remember the little but positive things about them. This practice aligns with the W.P. Carey Business is Personal principle and encourages us to celebrate each other intentionally.
Before starting business school, I spent two years in the USA after leaving my home country. This experience enables me to relate to the challenges faced by international students in my class. As a result, I hope to use my background to help fellow international students adjust to their new environment and serve as a voice to promote understanding of each group’s unique needs.
Tell us a fun fact about yourself that didn’t get included on your application:
I love dresses and briefly made them for profit in the past. Just like everyone who had a major activity that helped them through the COVID-19 lockdown, mine was taking fashion sketching courses.
Post-MBA career interests:
I am exploring marketing and strategy roles, specifically for customer engagement, attraction, and retention.
Advice for Current Prospective Applicants:
–What is one thing you would absolutely do again as part of your application process?
I enjoyed the school research process and wouldn’t mind doing it again. Initially, I thought applying for an MBA program would be like any other graduate school application, but I soon realized it required more intentionality. I was impressed by the amount of effort that top business schools put into the MBA experience, and some were truly exceptional. I eagerly explored each school’s website and attended information sessions to discover what made each one unique.
–What is one thing you would change or do differently?
In hindsight, I should have begun my research and preparation sooner. Once I started, I realized that my knowledge was not sufficient to truly prepare. If I had conducted more thorough research, I believe I could have conveyed my stories and strengths in a more impactful manner.
–What is one part you would have skipped if you could—and what helped you get through it?
The wait after interviews was difficult, and I wished I could skip it. I was extremely worried while waiting to hear back from business schools after multiple interviews. Joining a virtual community of fellow MBA applicants helped me see that there were other worried people like me out there and we could encourage one another.
What is your initial impression of the ASU Carey students/culture/community?
I really value intentionality and cannot stress enough how the W.P. Carey community takes this concept to a whole new level. At the Full-Time MBA countdown event in April, I was captivated by their “Business is Personal” culture. Every aspect of the event was thoughtfully planned to showcase their purposefulness in selecting each student in the cohort. I have been consistently impressed by how everyone in the community embodies this attribute. It’s almost overwhelming how much people genuinely care at Carey.
What is one thing you have learned about ASU Carey that has surprised you?
I am thoroughly impressed with the abundant resources that this school offers. The school is dedicated to nurturing our development and equips us with all the necessary tools to become versatile leaders. Even though I believed I had done extensive research on the school, I am pleasantly surprised to discover new opportunities for business school students every week. This institution is an endless hub of possibilities.
What is one thing you are most anxious about in your first year?
Many business school alumni and students hinted to me that time management would be a challenge in business school, and I am still anxious about it. Balancing group projects, internships, recruiting, club events, and the demands of a STEM-designated MBA sometimes make me worry about how I will be able to find time for everything.
What is one thing you are most excited about in your first year?
Learning! I am excited about pursuing my MBA degree and I am thoroughly enjoying the learning style offered at W.P.Carey. The case studies-based learning format has been a delight, bringing me closer to achieving my goals of improving my executive communication skills and analytical thinking abilities.
