A BYP Community Spotlight Series

Every career path is unique, and within the BYP community, we’re proud to highlight the voices and journeys of Black professionals who are navigating, pivoting, and growing in powerful ways. In this edition, we spoke to Obaro, a London-based Internal Communications Officer and MBA student, who shares her inspiring journey filled with reflection, resilience, and real growth.

Let’s dive into Obaro’s journey.

Hello, please could you tell us a bit about yourself and how your career journey began.

My name is Obaro. I was brought up in the UK with Nigerian heritage and I’m currently based in London. I work as an Internal Communications Officer in the higher education sector, and I’m also pursuing an MBA in Project Management.

I’ve worked across marketing and communications for a few years now, but my career didn’t follow a straight line. I studied Media and Communications at Birmingham City University, and honestly, I struggled to figure out what I wanted to do after graduating. I applied for roles in different fields and was lucky enough to land a role in marketing a path that first caught my interest after attending a talk during university.

My first role as a Junior Field Marketing Executive was a great introduction to the working world. I was fortunate to work alongside fellow graduates, which made the transition easier. It was also my first real experience of working in a corporate setting, and it gave me valuable insight into what it’s like to be part of a mid-sized company.

Since then, I’ve held a variety of roles in marketing that have built my skills and confidence. Over time, I realised that my strengths and interests lie in leading initiatives, not just communicating them which is what led me to explore project management more seriously.

What's one major challenge you've faced in your career, and how did you overcome it?

One of the biggest challenges I’ve faced has been navigating career transitions and figuring out what I really wanted for my future. Going back to university after a few years of work experience was a big shift. Balancing full-time study, part-time work, and personal responsibilities all while trying to keep moving forward professionally definitely came with its tough moments.

There were times it felt like I’d hit pause on my career, but I’ve learned that every stage has value. “Growth isn’t always a straight line, sometimes it’s layered, and that’s okay”. I just kept focusing on the bigger picture, building transferable skills, and trusting that it would all come together, and it has!

Can you highlight a proud moment or key milestone in your journey so far?

Two trips to Nigeria stand out for me. I spent a placement year working there during uni, then went back again for NYSC, the national service scheme for graduates. Both experiences pushed me out of my comfort zone and really helped me grow. I still use a lot of what I learned there in my work today. More recently, starting my current internal comms role while doing an MBA at the same time has definitely been a milestone. It’s shown me that I can balance a lot of work, study, and life even when it feels like a lot at once.

What’s a powerful lesson you’ve learned along the way that others could benefit from?

Don’t be afraid to pivot, even if it feels like starting again. Use every role to sharpen skills you can carry with you. And ask for help, mentorship, coaching, internal opportunities. Sometimes doors open simply because you were brave enough to ask. Also, it’s okay to not yet have it figured out yet when it comes to knowing exactly what you want to do in your career, focus on building your transferable skills, you’ll be surprised they can be used in most industries.

How has overcoming your challenges shaped who you are today, professionally or personally?

Pursuing an MBA while working has taught me resilience, discipline, and self-belief. A few years ago, I’d have said, “I’ll never go back to university.” Now I know I can thrive in both academic and professional arenas and that confidence now fuels every new project I take on.

Closing Thoughts

Obaro’s journey is a powerful reminder that growth isn’t always linear and that’s more than okay. Her story highlights the beauty of resilience, the courage to pivot, and the value of trusting your process.We’re proud to spotlight her story as part of our BYP community.

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