Meet The Graduate

Read what Aliyah Adegun has to say

I graduated from the University of Maryland Baltimore County (UMBC) in May 2023 with a Bachelor of Arts degree in Public Health and a minor in Information Systems, and I’m in the process of starting my career. 

I joined Nvolve in August 2022. A friend from school told me about Nvolve -- how it was a great professional development program and opened doors for her. I was worried because I was graduating soon and wasn’t sure if I would be a good fit for the program. 

However, I found the program to be incredibly helpful in preparing me for my post-graduation transition. I heard from speakers in graduate school and from successful past Nvolve scholars. I found the interview practice sessions especially useful; the feedback I received has been helpful and relevant in the interviews that I’ve had. I also had the chance to create a podcast, which was an interesting and challenging experience, and create a Covid-19 dashboard in Tableau. 

My mentor, Annie Harris, was an invaluable resource throughout the program. She provided guidance on career development and gave me advice that helped me navigate the challenges and worries I faced preparing to graduate from university. I am grateful for her mentorship and support.  

My advice to college women majoring in STEM is to take advantage of all the resources available to you. Network with professionals in your field and seek out mentorship opportunities. Be open to learning new things and don't be afraid to ask questions. Most important, never say no to yourself. It's easy to give up on yourself and your goals but try not to. Do your best and have grace with yourself; you’re human, don’t be too hard on yourself. With hard work and determination, you can achieve anything you set your mind to. 

Meet the Mentor: Annie Harris

I’m currently employed at LabCorp Clinical Development as Executive Director, Technology Enablement.  I am a founding member of the nonprofit organization Women of Color in Pharma (WOCIP).  Through my work with WOCIP, I was inspired to co-chair an employee resource group at LabCorp called WEN – Women’s Empowerment Network – that has grown to over 28 chapters globally across the company.  I am president of the business sorority Gamma Phi Delta, Epsilon Iota chapter, where we support businesswomen and provide community service to those in need. I have come to realize that giving encouragement, guidance, and counsel to others is something that resonates with me and something that I truly enjoy doing. 

When approached about being a mentor for Nvolve, I immediately knew I would love the experience.  I participate as a mentor at LabCorp and felt that the Nvolve mentoring program would be a perfect fit for me. The passion, care, and thoughtful offerings provided to the students immediately confirmed that the program was built with a true purpose: to help these students be successful.   

My first year as a Nvolve mentor confirmed my gut response. The Nvolve staff’s leadership and passion are always apparent. The guidelines and structure provided to the mentors and mentees help us stay on track and firmly rooted in meeting the program’s goals. It was very rewarding to see my mentee’s focus on her success and growth.  

This experience has solidified my desire to continue to help guide students to focus on their strengths and hone their skills. I look forward to continuing to be a mentor with Nvolve.