From Mentorship to McGill (Adeola Karimot Bolarinwa)

From Mentorship to McGill: A Journey of Growth and Opportunity

One of the most transformative moments in my academic journey began when I connected with my mentor, Amina Abdulsalam, through The Leadership Labs while navigating the challenging process of graduate school applications. At the time, I was searching for direction, opportunities, and guidance on how to position myself for success. Through her mentorship, I received support in identifying prospective supervisors, refining my academic CV, preparing strong application materials, securing scholarship opportunities, and developing the confidence to pursue ambitious goals. Her guidance, encouragement, and unwavering support helped me navigate one of the most important transitions of my academic life.

That support led to opportunities beyond what I had imagined. I received two graduate school offers: a Graduate Assistantship from Illinois State University and the prestigious Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program at McGill University in Canada. I ultimately chose McGill and carried the lessons, encouragement, and confidence gained through mentorship into this next chapter of my journey.

I began my Master's program at McGill University, where I successfully completed an intensive one-year degree while balancing coursework, research, and professional development. As part of my internship, I investigated the impacts of climate change on crop health, studying physiological responses in tomato plants to better understand how changing climatic conditions affect food systems and agricultural sustainability. Through dedication, effective time management, and perseverance, I graduated with excellent academic standing.

What makes this journey particularly meaningful is that the mentorship did not end with graduate school admission. The support continued through career development, job applications, interview preparation, and professional growth. As I step into an exciting new stage of my career, I remain grateful for the guidance that helped shape my path and reminded me of what is possible with the right support system. She is proof that the right mentor truly changes everything.