Damilola Teidi-Ayoola MSc Business Strategy and Innovation Management, 2014
Director of Incubation and Acceleration at the Co-Creation Hub (CcHUB)
Damilola is currently the Director of Incubation and Acceleration at the Co-Creation Hub (CvHUB), Africa's leading innovation centre. She holds a bachelors degree in Information Technology and a master's degree in Business Strategy and Innovation Management. She is passionate about building small businesses, innovation and the use of technology to solve problems.
Taking the course was one of the best decisions I’ve made. I enjoyed everything about it: the lecturers, the coursework and my classmates, some of whom have become friends for a lifetime. It gave me all the theoretical knowledge I needed to satisfy my interest, gave me a sound background, and got me excited about the future.
After completing my first degree in Information Technology, I worked as a software developer for a technology firm. It was here I became interested in using technology to provide a business that would be of value to thousands of people. I wanted to undertake an MSc to achieve my business goal; using technology to solve problems.
I decided to take the Strategy and Innovation Management course at Southampton because it was perfect for the transition I had decided to make. I was also offered a part-scholarship, which made my decision even easier!
Taking the course was one of the best decisions I’ve made. I enjoyed everything about it: the lecturers, the coursework and my classmates, some of whom have become friends for a lifetime. It gave me all the theoretical knowledge I needed to satisfy my interest, gave me a sound background, and got me excited about the future.
Keen to gain some practical experience to take back to Nigeria, Damilola, supported by the Business School, completed two internships while studying for her master’s: as a market research analyst for consultancy firm Kinetik Solutions, and as a programme management office intern with the University’s IT department.
The internships taught me a lot about how to manage a team so that everyone feels connected and productive; this has stayed with me and influences the way I manage my team today. I’d recommend taking an internship as a great way to gain an edge in the careers market.
In my role today, I am always so proud to see companies that we’ve supported in their early stages go on to create impact and build businesses across multiple markets. It helps keep my excitement about innovation – which was ignited during my master’s at Southampton – alive.
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