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PhD alumnus reflects on the opportunities that shaped his Brunel experience

PhD alumnus reflects on the opportunities that shaped his Brunel experience

Published: 20 Feb 2024

Jasper Ojoghoro

On arriving at Brunel, I was impressed with the campus environment, how helpful staff and other students were and the amazing opportunity to develop my career and leadership skills through the student employee programme managed by the Job Shop.

Jasper, Research, Alumni

Lean Six Sigma, Maple Leaf Foods

Environmental Sciences PhD - 2018

From Nigeria

Previous Institution

University of Aberdeen - MSc Environmental Science

Which country do you currently live in?

Canada

Tell us about your educational and/or career journey since you graduated from Brunel?

Since leaving Brunel, I’ve started a career path in Manufacturing, developing competence on how to identify waste in manufacturing processes and helping to develop programs and procedures to improve efficiency and performance using Lean and Six sigma tools and methodologies. My career objective has always been to build competence in two or more career paths other than academia. The COVID-19 experience has proved this to be a wise choice as I have remained busy in the food manufacturing industry as an essential worker at a time when many people have lost their jobs.

What does a typical day at work involve for you?

Leading teams; conducting root cause analysis to identify causes of an issue on the floor instead of just dealing with the symptoms; data analysis and reporting.

What’s been the highlight of your career journey so far?

Building strong competence in Lean and Six Sigma methodologies, stakeholder management and delivering measurable results ($ savings) in every project.

How would you say your Brunel experience has helped you to get where you are today?

My experience as a Student Ambassador definitely prepared me for the excellent leadership skills I bring to my role. I am super grateful to Lesley Warren, the Marketing department and the Job Shop team for the different student jobs and associated training I received whilst at Brunel.

Why did you choose to study at Brunel and why would you recommend Brunel to others?

At first, it was the quick correspondence I got from my PhD supervisor when I was looking at who to work with for a PhD. On arriving at Brunel, I was impressed with the campus environment, how helpful staff and other students were and the amazing opportunity to develop my career and leadership skills through the student employee programme managed by the Job Shop.

What is your best memory of studying here?

My time as a STEM Ambassador - I made a new family and a mother figure in Lesley Warren who oversees the student team.

If you could give one piece of advice to current Brunel students, what would that be?

Pay good attention to your studies, but don't miss the opportunity to build leadership and employability skills with the range of programmes that Brunel offers.

What would be your top tip or key advice for new graduates as they begin their career journey after leaving Brunel?

Lean on mentorship that is provided by the University to graduates, use LinkedIn to connect with other Brunel graduates and be resilient at whatever life throws at you.

#IamBrunel