Program and grad year: MSc’2024
Career: Project Manager, Impact and Evaluation, West Toronto Ontario Health Team
For University of British Columbia Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences alum Anuoluwapo Awotunde (MSc’24), career growth has been less about following a single path and more about recognizing where her skills can make the greatest impact.
Originally trained and practicing as a pharmacist in Nigeria, Anuoluwapo came to UBC for graduate studies with a clear foundation in healthcare. What she discovered, however, was a much broader landscape of opportunity.
“I knew I could do research. I knew I could practice pharmacy,” she reflects. “But I also started asking myself, what if I don’t want to do just one thing?”
During her time at UBC, she intentionally built experience beyond academics. She took on leadership roles with the Graduate Student Society, contributed as a sustainability ambassador, and volunteered as a digital mentor through the United Nations. These experiences helped her develop transferable skills in project management, community engagement, and systems thinking.
“It’s about harnessing the skills you already have and understanding where they can apply,” she says. “You don’t have to box yourself into one path.”
Today, Anuoluwapo works as a Project Manager in Impact and Evaluation for West Toronto, Ontario Health Team, supporting initiatives that improve access to care and strengthen connections between patients and providers, particularly in underserved communities. While pharmacy remains central to her perspective, her work reflects a broader commitment to health system impact.
A defining influence throughout her journey has been mentorship. Having received support early in her transition to Canada, she now mentors others navigating similar challenges.
“Mentorship changed how I see what’s possible,” she explains. “When you see someone who has done it, it gives you the confidence that you can do it too.”
The power of LinkedIn and career visibility
One of the most practical tools in Anuoluwapo’s career journey has been LinkedIn.
“I got my job through LinkedIn,” she says. “I was applying, connecting with people, having conversations and it worked.”
By staying active on the platform, she has built a network that continues to generate opportunities, including direct outreach from recruiters. She encourages students and recent alumni to think of LinkedIn as more than a place to apply for jobs.
“It’s not just about applying,” she explains. “It’s about building relationships, sharing your story, and letting people see what you can do.”
She also recognizes the challenge of balancing networking with academic demands, but stresses the long-term value.
“Timing matters,” she says. “It’s hard when you’re busy, but even small steps can make a difference before you graduate.”
Redefining what’s possible
Anuoluwapo’s story highlights the breadth of possibilities available to UBC Pharm Sci graduates. Her career reflects a willingness to explore, adapt, and apply her training in new ways.
“For you to graduate from this program is a big deal,” she says. “You already have what it takes. It’s just about how you use it.”
Through mentorship, continued learning, and active engagement with professional networks, she continues to build a career that extends beyond traditional boundaries, and encourages others to do the same.