Saidat Giwa-Osagie on making a career transition to technology

[sidebar_widget sidebar_id="sidebar-1" width="1/1" el_position="first last"] [spb_text_block pb_margin_bottom="no" pb_border_bottom="no" width="1/1" el_position="first last"]Saidat Giwa-Osagie is the founder of Adorli – an online platform for natural, cruelty-free and indie beauty products.With Adorli, Saidat is connecting consumers to beauty brands that care for their customers as well as their environment.However, what is fascinating about Saidat’s journey is her transition from social sciences to technology, and the automotive industry – where she also happens to be a Network Planner with Ford Motor Company.

"I grew up in Scotland in a family that celebrated our Nigerian culture and heritage as something to be cherished."

"In secondary school, I studied a range of subjects, before settling on a final mixture of arts and science subjects.  I enjoyed the contrast between the two fields and became appreciative of knowing a bit about each area, and still carry this multi-passionate perspective today. During my time in university, I developed an interest in technology, from dabbling with basic web design for an online entertainment magazine I edited at the time.  I was also reading about the new crop of tech companies in Silicon Valley, and through my studies I saw the impact of technology in political movements.  After receiving my first degree in Social Policy and Politics at Bristol University, I studied for a Masters in Management, Information Systems and Innovation at the London School of Economics, which further cemented my interest in the field of technology."

• You transitioned from social sciences to automotive IT. What are some of the challenges you experienced in this transition?

"The biggest transition was learning about the automotive industry and how it is intertwined with IT. Coming from a social sciences background was helpful, because I am interested in how people interact with technology.  In the automotive context there are different segments of IT users (both external and internal) so understanding how they interact with the different facets of technology is key."

• You recently launched Adorli, a marketplace platform for independent beauty brands to connect with beauty lovers. What inspired this?

"I was met with the frustration of finding products specifically catered to my individual beauty needs.  I was looking for products made with natural ingredients and products that would be kind to me.  As a result, I would often find myself in the beauty aisle with a potential product in one hand, and my phone in the other as I researched whether I was holding a product that would work for me.  It was time-consuming, and not particularly fruitful. I began exploring the idea of a digital platform where people would be able to find beauty products that matched with their unique and individual beauty.  I think there’s a certain kinship and empathy that exists when connecting customers with entrepreneurs that have lovingly created their own beauty products, often out of the same frustration of not finding the exact products that met their own needs.  Adorli is the space to bridge that gap through its celebration of beauty that is both individual and kind."

• What one thing would you like to see changed in your home country of Nigeria?

"I am excited about the startup ecosystem in Nigeria and the ongoing work by business communities, accelerators and passionate individuals to bring entrepreneurial ideas into fruition.  I would like to see the continued growth of these opportunities in tandem with systemic changes that enhance socio-economic development, which in turn will enable more people to build successful businesses that will economically empower business owners and their employees."

• What advice would you give to anyone trying to transition into STEM careers?

"Stay curious and keep learning.  When you find a particular area that interests you, keep asking questions and exploring.  Even when you’re in that specific field, keep learning.  Explore adjacent paths for a more holistic perspective.  Look into areas that don’t have a particularly strong connection to your field, because it helps broaden your outlook.  It also gives you the advantage of making advanced and insightful connections with your unique point of view." [/spb_text_block]